Since their discovery over 40 years ago conjugated polymers have been of tremendous scientific and technological interest. These materials possess many exceptional electronic, optical and thermal properties and thus are well suited for organic semiconducting applications, such as solar cells and light emitting diodes. Unfortunately, there are several issues that have to be addressed before real-life products can be developed. Our group focuses on the design and synthesis of both polymeric and molecular organic semiconductors based from low cost and/or easily prepared starting materials. Since the properties of these materials can be readily modified through chemical synthesis, we have turned our attention towards the development of novel building blocks. Our system of choice, benzobisazoles have many exceptional electronic, optical and thermal properties and thus are ideally suited for diverse organic semiconducting applications. Our group developed several new materials based on benzobisoxazoles including wide band gap materials for use in organic light-emitting diodes and narrow band gap materials for use in photovoltaic cells. Our work on the synthesis and properties and utility of these materials will be presented.<br/><br/>Although African-Americans make up approximately 13% of the US population, they are severely underrepresented in advanced degrees awarded in STEM disciplines and within the ranks of the faculty at research institutions. Despite the overwhelming statistics, Dr. Jeffries-EL managed to become a professor. She was born in Brooklyn, NY where she lived in public housing and attended public school. Although her situation was less than ideal, she always had a passion for science that her parents encouraged her to pursue. Dr. Jeffries-EL will also discuss her experiences and strategies for success.

Design and synthesis of organic electronic materials

2019 Fall National Meeting

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