This is an ongoing line of research initiated several years ago. It aims at the synthesis of polyaromatic compounds (i.e., non-polymeric derivatives of anthracene) for application in nanolithography and organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs).

The polyaromatic ring system of anthracene has the desired UV absorption properties and the potential to enhance the film’s resistance to etching required in nanolithography processes. What's more, it is one of the most interesting semi-conductors for applications in electronic devices, such as organic electronics and organic light emitting devices. However, its low solubility and its tendency to sublime are significant drawbacks. Thus, the design of the new derivatives aimed to improve their properties taking into account the standards posed by the industry.

This research activity included three main parts: 

1. The addition of anthracene derivatives in polymeric matrices aiming to improve their properties, particularly their etch resistance.¹
2. The design and synthesis of anthracene derivatives for chemically amplified positive molecular resists. In this case, the anthracene derivatives were used as the main component of the film and they were not added in a polymeric matrix. The advantage of this approach includes the defined and known composition of the film, its low line edge roughness and the potential of the derivative for patterning during the process. Decoration with appropriate groups or other polycarbocyclic cores has resulted in encouranging results regarding the temperature of sublimation with some derivatives behaving as molecular glasses.²
3. Application of anthracene derivatives in OLEDs. In this case, exploiting their promisng electroluminescent properties, anthracene derivatives have been examined as the active layer of the device.³

Some examples of polycarbocycles prepared by our group are depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Examples of polyaromatic polycarbocyclic derivatives studied.

The design and synthetic part of this research activity has been implemented by our group in collaboration with the research team of Dr. Argitis (I.N.N., NCSD “Demokritos”) and Prof. Couladouros (Agricultural Unversity of Athens). This activity has been supported by several research grants financed by Greece and the European Community, as well as Intel Co. Currently, part of this research is included in a research grant entitled  "Using organic LED in intelligent food packaging for quality monitoring of meat products" (MIS-5075103) funded by the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (NSRF  2014-2020) co-financed by Greece and the European Union / NCSR "DEMOKRITOS", Institute of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, under the supervision of Dr M. Vasilopoulou for NCSR “Demokritos”. The synthesis of polyaromatic compounds for their use in OLEDs is performed in our laboratory under the supervision of Dr Vidali. 

References 

1. (a) "Polycarbocyclic derivatives for modification of resist, optical and etch resistance properties" P. Argitis, E. Gogolides, E. Couladouros, V. Vidali, M. Vasilopoulou, G. Cordoyanis, US7326510 (2009); (b) “Photoresist etch resistance enhancement using novel polycarbocyclic derivatives as additives." Gogolides, E.; Argitis, P.; Couladouros, E. A.; Vidali, V. P.; Vasilopoulou, M.; Cordoyiannis, G.; Diakoumakos, C. D.; Tserepi, A., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 2003, 21, 141–147.
2. (a) “Materials for lithography in the nanoscale” P. Argitis, D. Niakoula, A. M. Douvas, E. Gogolides, I. Raptis, V. P. Vidali, E. A. Couladouros Int. J. of Nanotechnology 2009, 6, 71–87; (b) "Molecular resists based on functionalized polycarbocycles " P. Argitis, E. Gogolides, D. Niakoula, V. Vidali, E. Couladouros, R. Gautam, US8247158 (2012); (c)  "Positive Molecular Resists", P. Argitis, V. P. Vidali, D. Niakoula, Frontiers of Nanoscience, 2016, Vol. 11, Chapter 9, pages: 319–348.
3. (a) "Solution-processable organic semiconductors based on anthracene as main components of active layers in OLEDs: Design, synthesis and application." V. P.Vidali, M. Vasilopoulou, D. Niakoula, A. Kapella, A. Verykios, E. T. Georgas, S.  Kennou, D. R. Gautam, E. Gogolides, E. A. Couladouros, P. Argitis, 26th International Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology, October 4-5, 2018, Moscow, Russia (invited e-poster presentation), Nano Res Appl 2018, Volume 4, DOI: 10.21767/2471-9838-C5-021; (b) V. P. Vidali "Anthracene-based molecular glasses. Design, synthesis and applications in nanolithography and organic electronics. Overview and perspectives." 26th International Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology, October 4-5, 2018, Moscow, Russia Nano Res Appl 2018, Volume 4, DOI: 10.21767/2471-9838-C5-020