This highly interdisciplinary project funded through the prestigious Materials Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) will involve studying the synthesis and properties of rotaxanes (mechanically interlocked molecules) with potential applications in organic electronic display devices.

Start-date: October 2015

Supervisors (QMUL): 
Dr Maxie Roessler (m.roessler<στο>qmul.ac.uk, http://webspace.qmul.ac.uk/mroessler) 
Dr Steve Dunn (s.c.dunn<στο>qmul.ac.uk, http://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/?s.c.dunn) 
Collaborator (University of Southampton): 
Dr Stephen Goldup (S.Goldup<στο>soton.ac.uk, http://goldup.soton.ac.uk/)

PROJECT: Imagine a slim and high-definition TV or tablet that consumes less power than current devices and that can be rolled up when not in use. This technology is becoming reality thanks to organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) – solid-state devices composed of thin films of organic molecules that emit light when an electric current is applied. OLEDs have the potential to yield crisper and brighter displays as well as using less energy than conventional light-emitting diodes or liquid crystal displays. OLEDs currently employ iridium and platinum complexes as dopants which are required to increase the otherwise very low efficiency of the device. These precious heavy-metal dopants raise the device cost and reduce the sustainability of the technology. Recently there has been a surge of interest in copper(I) dopants owing to their significantly reduced cost and greater sustainability (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 9499). However, many CuI complexes suffer from broad emission (i.e. poor colour purity), poor stability and low quantum yield (the efficiency of converting electrical energy to light) due to the tendency of the excited state to undergo large-amplitude geometric rearrangement. In this project, we will investigate a new class of hindered Cu complexes (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 13318) that hold the promise to replace precious metal dopants for lighting applications.

QMUL: As a member of the prestigious Russell group, QMUL is one of UK’s leading research-focused higher education institutions, where multidisciplinary research is carried out at the highest level.

TECHNIQUES & TRAINING: The project combines cutting-edge physical methods with organic synthesis and you will receive training in a wide range of analytical and synthetic methods. You will design and synthesise interlocked Cu complexes in order to investigate their properties using in particular electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, electrochemistry and fluorescence spectroscopy, and examine their behaviour as dopants in OLEDs. Whilst the majority of the project will be carried out at QMUL, you will complete an intensive one-month synthetic training in the Goldup group at Southampton University at the beginning of the project, with shorter subsequent visits as required.

ELIGIBILITY: Outstanding students with, or expecting to receive, at least an upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a Chemistry-related subject.

FUNDING: 3 years, covering fees and providing a tax-free stipend of £15,863 per year.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 25th of February 2015, interviews will be held soon after.

HOW TO APPLY: All candidates are strongly advised to initially submit their CV and covering letter by e-mail to Dr Roessler (m.roessler<στο>qmul.ac.uk) to verify eligibility for the position. Formal applications to the College will require completion of the online application form (http://www.materials.qmul.ac.uk/training/phdstudentships/)….