Molecular, Cluster, and Solid State Lanthanide Compounds with Electropositive Ligands

This award to Professor John Brennan at Rutgers University, is supported by the Advanced Materials and Processing Program in the Chemistry Division. The focus of the research will be synthesis and characterization of lanthanum-based chalcogenides and pnictides as molecules, clusters and solid-state materials for applications in optical and electronic devices. For applications in light emitting diodes, fiber optics and environmentally safe pigments, solid state materials will be synthesized at low temperatures from lanthanum-based precursor molecules and clusters. Molecules, clusters and solid-state materials based on lanthanum will be prepared and characterized under this research. Because of their unique chemistry and structure, these lanthanum-based materials will have optical and electronic properties not observed in other materials. In addition, the interdisciplinary approaches of the project will provide knowledge and training to students in materials chemistry, synthesis and characterization.