Silicon, cobalt and lithium - metals like these are standard in today’s electrical devices. Demand is constantly increasing, especially in microchips, such as in smartphones. But the raw materials are finite. Organic, carbon-based materials such as polymers, on the other hand, are comparatively easy to produce, are available in almost unlimited quantities - and can even conduct electricity. Team 2 at the Ilmenau School of Green Electronics sees conductive polymers as a promising alternative to traditional semiconductor materials. Together, Robert Geitner, Christian Dreßler and doctoral candidate Henrike Zacher are researching their potential application in microelectronics - with the aim of developing electrically conductive, bio-inspired and self-healing polymers.
Self-healing of the human skin as a model
Until now, the use of polymers in electronics has failed mainly due to their limited durability. The material begins to oxidize as soon as it comes into contact with oxygen - and gradually loses its electrical conductivity as a result. The central starting point of TU Ilmenau’s research is therefore to make the organic material more durable for use in microelectronics. The researchers are taking their lead from the healing process of human skin, which they want to transfer to polymers in microelectronics. Just as injured tissue recognizes wounds, regenerates damaged tissue and restores its protective function, the polymers should also be able to repair themselves independently. An intelligent catalyst recognizes molecular damage caused by oxidation, cuts it out of the polymer and replaces it with intact molecules. This is made possible by what is known as alkene metathesis - a chemical reaction in which double bonds within molecules are rearranged, as Henrike Zacher explains:Our catalyst acts like a precise molecular mending tool. It recognizes the damaged area, cuts it out and replaces it directly on site - without any external influence.
Organic materials for a new generation of electronics
Specifically, the team wants to develop a material system for the use of polymers in microelectronics. This should consist of three central components: a polymer that has electrical conductivity, a catalyst that recognizes and repairs oxidation damage and a monomer that serves as a molecular patch.The research team combines its expertise to achieve this: while Prof. Robert Geitner (Physical Chemistry/Catalase) deals with the material properties on a chemical level, Prof. Christian Dreßler (Theoretical Solid State Physics) simulates the reaction behavior of the molecules using computer models. PhD candidate Henrike Zacher combines both fields in her work and develops functional material systems that can be specifically tested in the laboratory. With their work, the research team wants to lay the foundation for a new generation of organic electronic materials, as Prof. Geitner says:
Our aim is to develop functional polymers that can be used in real components. This would enable us to create a more sustainable alternative to conventional materials in microelectronics in the long term.
