Emergent Molecular Electronics Research Team

Towards Supramolecular Alchemy

Organic compounds such as rubber and plastics are indispensable functional materials in our lives as good electrical insulators. On the other hand, organic compounds with a special skeleton called a pi-conjugated system, in which single and double bonds are alternately repeated between carbon atoms, exhibit various physical properties such as light absorption, luminescence, electrical conductivity, and magnetism. Organic compounds that conduct electricity have a history of 70 years since discovered in Japan, but in terms of understanding their physical properties, developing new materials, and returning their value to society, it is necessary to continue research that covers everything from basics to applications. Our team has realized metallic plastics that conduct electrons and heat like metals by using an original technology that precisely combines polymers, small molecules, and ions. We regard this as the alchemy of plastics and explore the possibility of new electronic states and electronic phase transitions in polymer materials.

(Top left) Ink made from pi-conjugated organic compounds. Different molecular structures produce different band gaps, allowing for inks of a variety of colors to be obtained. (Bottom left) A microfabricated device that can simultaneously measure the transport of electrons and heat. (Right) The development of functional materials using ion dynamics in crystalline polymer semiconductors.