2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering

Frontiers of Chemical Science and Technology IV

Academic unit or major: Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Instructor(s): Takuji Hatakeyama / Christine Luscombe
Class Format: Lecture (HyFlex)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: CAP.T426
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2025
Offered quarter: 2Q
Syllabus updated: Apr 18, 2025
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

[Overview]
This course aims to cultivate chemists who possess a deep understanding of the principles underlying the development of functions and properties of substances and materials. It also focuses on advanced chemical technologies for the creation of useful substances and materials, as well as their practical applications. Leading researchers in the field of applied chemistry will present their research outcomes, ranging from fundamental studies to practical applications.
[Objective]
The objective of this course is to equip students with a broad knowledge of both fundamental and applied research conducted by leading researchers at the forefront of applied chemistry.

Course description and aims

By completing this course, students will acquire the following competencies:
(1) The ability to explain the fundamental knowledge required for the development of organic electronic materials. (2) The ability to explain the principles of organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, organic thin-film transistors, and organic thin-film solar cells.(3) The ability to explain the characteristics required of materials used in organic EL devices, as well as molecular design strategies to meet these requirements. (4) The ability to explain the basic concepts and properties of semiconducting polymers. (5) The ability to explain the synthetic methods and design strategies of semiconducting polymers. (6) The ability to explain the fundamentals of charge transport using semiconducting polymers and their applications in electronic devices.

Keywords

Organic Electronics, Organic Light-Emitting Device (OLED), Organic Thin-Film Transistor (OTFT), Organic Photovoltaic Cell (OPV)

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

The course will be conducted in a hyflex format, with two instructors delivering intensive lectures independently.
Prof. Takuji Hatakeyama (Kyoto University): Development and application of organic electronics devices based on original organic materials.
Prof. Christine Luscombe (OIST): Development and application of organic electronics devices based on original semiconducting polymer materials.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Lecture 1: Introduction to Organic Electronics for Synthetic Chemists This lecture will provide synthetic chemists with the fundamental knowledge necessary for developing organic electronic materials. It will also cover key concepts such as electrical conductivity, light absorption and emission, and energy transfer in organic materials. Lecture 2: Fundamentals of Organic Electronic Devices This lecture will explain the operating principles of organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), and organic thin-film solar cells (OPVs). It will also introduce the molecular design strategies required to meet the demands of materials used in organic EL devices, based on computational chemistry and molecular orbital theory. Lecture 3: New Materials Chemistry Based on Tandem Hetero-Friedel–Crafts Reactions This lecture will outline the development of tandem hetero-Friedel–Crafts reactions aimed at the precise synthesis of heteroatom-containing nanocarbons. It will introduce examples of hetero-nanographenes and heterohelicenes obtained through this process, which exhibit diverse optical and semiconducting properties depending on the number and position of heteroatoms introduced. In particular, the lecture will focus on “multiple resonance materials” developed using multiple resonance effects of boron and nitrogen, which are now widely used in organic EL display materials due to their excellent luminescent properties. The lecture will present the background and recent advances in this line of research.	(1) The ability to explain the fundamental knowledge required for the development of organic electronic materials. (2) The ability to explain the principles of organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, organic thin-film transistors, and organic thin-film solar cells.(3) The ability to explain the characteristics required of materials used in organic EL devices, as well as molecular design strategies to meet these requirements.
Class 2	Lecture 1: Fundamentals of Semiconducting Polymers This lecture introduces the basic concepts and properties of semiconducting polymers. It begins with an exploration of the electronic structure of π-conjugated polymers, providing a detailed explanation of band gaps, charge carrier transport, and doping mechanisms. The lecture then discusses the optical properties, thermal stability, and environmental stability of semiconducting polymers, and considers how these factors influence device performance. In addition, students will learn about the structure–property relationships and explore how semiconducting polymers are applied in fields such as electronics, energy conversion, and biosensing. Lecture 2: Synthesis and Polymer Design of Semiconducting Polymers This lecture focuses on the synthesis methods and design strategies for semiconducting polymers. It covers key polymerization techniques, including cross-coupling reactions (e.g., Stille coupling with tin-palladium catalysts, Grignard metathesis), oxidative polymerization, and orthogonal polymerizations. The principles and characteristics of each method are explained in detail. The lecture also addresses strategies for optimizing electronic properties by controlling molecular weight, molecular arrangement, and copolymer composition. Furthermore, it examines how synthetic approaches influence thin-film formation and processability, laying the groundwork for material design tailored for device applications. Lecture 3: Charge Transport in Semiconducting Polymers and Device Applications This lecture explores the fundamentals of charge transport in semiconducting polymers and their applications in electronic devices. It begins with an in-depth explanation of charge transport mechanisms, mobility, and the effects of traps, all of which determine the electronic performance of materials. Students will then study key devices such as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), and organic photodetectors (OPDs), including their operating principles, material requirements, and fabrication processes. The lecture also discusses how thin-film morphology, molecular ordering, and interfacial control impact device performance, guiding students toward effective material strategies for high-performance device design.	(1) The ability to explain the basic concepts and properties of semiconducting polymers. (2) The ability to explain the synthetic methods and design strategies of semiconducting polymers. (3) The ability to explain the fundamentals of charge transport using semiconducting polymers and their applications in electronic devices.

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

There is no designated textbook or reference materials for this course.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Supplementary materials will be provided when necessary.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students are expected to attend all classes in principle, and attendance will be recorded at each session. Grades will be assessed based on written reports.

Related courses

CAP.T425: Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering III
CAP.T423: Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering I

Prerequisites

No specific conditions are required to enroll in this course.

Other

Session 1: Tuesday, June 17
Prof. Takuji Hatakeyama (Kyoto University)
Periods 3–8 (10:45–12:25, 13:30–17:05)

Session 2: Thursday, July 24
Prof. Christine Luscombe (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, OIST)
Periods 3–8 (10:45–12:25, 13:30–17:05)