Department of Chemistry
Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai-600036

Research Proposal Seminar
Electrochromic Organo Gels: Design, Synthesis and Photo physics

Name: Celin Rooth Date & Time: 04 September 2023 & 3.00 pm
Guide: Prof. Edamana Prasad Venue: CB310
Abstract:
The realm of electrochromism continues to captivate the scientific community, finding applications in diverse fields including solar energy, optoelectronics, smart windows, wearable electronics, and defence-related technologies. Electrochromic (EC) materials possess the ability to undergo photo-optical changes through their redox processes, when subjected to an electrical bias.1 While inorganic materials, particularly transition metal oxides, have been widely employed for their robust electronic absorption and versatile multi-color switching capabilities, their reliance on energy-intensive processing and coating techniques have resulted in the quest for finding more efficient alternatives. Notably, attention has been shifted towards the advancement of small electroactive organic molecules, essentially due to their advantageous qualities like solution processability, low switching times, colour tunability, and high coloration.2
Recent studies suggest that gel based functional EC devices are more suitable for real-life applications, because the presence of gels provides easier processability, better suitability for flexible substrates and improved stabilization of chemical species in redox process.3 Among various types of gelators, low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) can establish resilient three-dimensional networks through weak non-covalent interactions like hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and van der Waals forces.4 Developing electrochromic materials based on low molecular organo-gels offers benefits such as facile synthesis, tunable morphologies, and efficient charge transport properties, compared to their polymeric analogues.5
This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of gels, elucidates the mechanism of gelation, and outlines the strategic approaches employed in designing electrochromic gels. Our aim is to design and synthesize novel low molecular weight organic gels capable of manifesting electrochromic behaviour. The seminar will present our research hypothesis and initial findings, shedding light on the exciting progress in this domain.
References:
1. Sarkar et al. Chem Asian J., 2021, 16, 3055–3067
2. Schegolkov et al. Nanomaterials., 2021, 11,2376
3. Alesanco et al, Materials., 2018, 11, 414
4. Kond et al. Chem Asian J., 2018, 13, 204 – 209
5. Draper et al. Commun. Chem., 2018, 1, 77-85

Signature of Guide Signature of HOD