Location Change Alert!

Nano@Tech on August 30th will be held in Pettit Building
Conference Rooms 102  A&B

Mark Losego, School of Materials Science and Engineering,
Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract: Molecularly sensitized devices that rely on surface bound molecules to impart functionality are keenly susceptible to device degradation via hydrolysis of anchor group chemistries and subsequent molecule detachment. Recent commercialization success in dye-sensitized solar cells is largely possible due to brute-force encapsulation engineering. However, using molecular sensitizers in aqueous environments as water oxidation catalysts or biological sensors poses an even greater challenge. This talk will highlight new advances in the use of low temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) applied after surface functionalization to drastically improve molecular attachment in aqueous environs. We have shown that ultrathin (< 1 nm) ALD coatings of inorganic oxides ON TOP of the molecular sensitizers improve attachment by orders of magnitude. These “coated” molecules still function as light absorbers, electron transfer agents, and catalytic species. The current state-of-the-science will be discussed including what has been learned about the changes in chemical structure upon ALD processing via in-situ FTIR spectroscopy studies and what current challenges remain in fully understanding how ALD encapsulation affects electron transfer at the molecule-substrate interface.

Bio: Prof. Mark Losego received his B.S. degree from Penn State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from NC State University, all in materials science.  Prior to joining the materials science and engineering faculty at Georgia Tech in 2014, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Illinois and a research faculty member in Chemical Engineering at NC State. His research focuses on developing, characterizing and measuring the performance of advanced materials systems for renewable energy generation, energy storage, microelectronics, thermal energy management, and national security applications. His research group has expertise in advanced materials synthesis using both liquid-phase chemical solution methods and vacuum-based vapor phase processing (ALD, MLD, PVD, etc.).  The Losego Lab combines this unique set of expertise to explore complex materials systems that interface organic and inorganic components for synergistic functionalities.  Prof. Losego has over 60 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals and recently, his thermoelectric textile technology was licensed by a startup company for further commercial development.

Location Change Alert!

Nano@Tech on August 30th will be held in Pettit Building
Conference Rooms 102  A&B