The principles and tools of physical and materials chemistry are critical to the energy generation and storage problem. Research in the Ginger Lab focuses on the physical chemistry of nanostructured materials with potential applications in low cost photovoltaics (solar cells), energy efficient light-emitting diodes, and novel biosensors.  In particular, we study conjugated polymers, semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots, and plasmon resonant metal nanoparticles.   We develop and apply new combinations of scanning probe microscopy and optical spectroscopy (including single molecule techniques) to understand the basic science behind these materials and their applications in devices.  We assemble these materials into new structures using Dip-Pen Nanolithography and bio-inspired materials approaches. In general we are interested in the interplay between the organizational structure, the electrical properties, and the optical properties of nanoscale materials, especially as applied to problems of solar energy.  Prospective students should contact David Ginger directly.

1) Polymer Blends and Nanostructured Solar Cells

 (Liam Pingree, Obadiah Reid, Kevin, Noone, Joseph Wei, Brad MacLeod, Marsha Ng)

Conjugated polymers blends are promising materials for the next generation of low-cost photovoltaic materials.  To better understand these materials, we combine optical spectroscopy and scanning- probe methods to study charge separation, recombination and transport as a function of thin film morphology and interfacial chemistry in thin films of organic semiconductors.  Our group has pioneered new applications of scanning probe microscopy to image charge generation, photocurrents, and trapping in nanostructured solar cells.  In addition we use Dip-Pen Nanolithography to generate templates for controlling nanoscale morphology through surface chemistry (image above).  Electrostatic force microscopy and conducting-probe AFM are used to characterize charge generation, transport, and recombination, with simultaneous spatial resolutions better than 50 nm, and time resolutions of tens of microseconds.

2) Ligands, Lifetimes, and LEDs: Optoelectronic Properties of  Colloidal Quantum Dots

(Andrea Munro, Kevin Noone, Marsha Ng) 

Semiconductor quantum dots are promising chromophores for use in energy efficient displays as well as photodiodes and solar cells (where infrared absorbing quantum dots might be used to harvest a wider range of the solar spectrum).  We make and test quantum dot based LEDs and photodiodes,  apply single molecule optical spectroscopy, and scanning-probe microscopy to correlate the optical and electronic properties of single nanocrystals.

3) Near-Field Nanophotonics 

(Yeechi Chen, Keiko Munechika, Abhishek Kulkarni, Andreas Tillack)

Plasmonics has applications in fields ranging from biological detection to optoelectronics.  The local electromagnetic field enhancements the occur near metal nanoparticles can be used to tailor the optical properties of surrounding chromophores.  We study the optical properties of colloidal metal nanoparticles coupled to organic and inorganic chromophores using single-particle spectroscopy including single particle darkfield scattering and time-correlated single-photon counting with an eye towards applications in sensing, LEDs, and photovoltaics.

These pages are always under construction.  Please check back soon and be sure to visit David Ginger's departmental homepage. (which updates very infrequently)