Solid state physics is the study of how atoms arrange themselves into solids and what properties these solids have. By examining the arrangement of the atoms and considering how electrons move among the atoms, it is possible to understand many macroscopic properties of materials such as their elasticity, electrical conductivity, or optical properties. The Institute of Solid State Physics focuses on organic, molecular, and nanostructured materials. Often detailed studies of the behavior of these materials at surfaces are made. Our research provides the foundation for important advances in technology such as energy efficient lighting, solar cells, electronic books, environmental sensors, and medical sensors.

Organic electronic sensors

Doping molecular wires

Computational Material Science

Self-assembled monolayer transistors

Solid State Seminar - Summer 2025
Wednesday 30 April 2025      

Deracemization of binaphthalene by chiral additives
Huber Chrsitoph, IF

Abstract: Chirality refers to the property of a molecule that prevents it from being superimposed on its mirror image, resulting in two distinct enantiomers. This phenomenon plays a central role in pharmaceutical development, biochemistry, and materials science. The environment of chiral molecules is crucial, as enantiomers exhibit identical properties in an achiral surrounding but can behave markedly different in chiral environments such as the human body. Often, only one enantiomer is capable of binding to the target receptor, whereas the other may be inactive or even cause harmful effects. Therefore, the separation of both enantiomers is of great importance.
In this study, we investigate the deracemization of racemic binaphthalene during crystallization on thin film surfaces via an enantiopure additive — a process through which an initially racemic mixture transforms into an enantiomerically pure system. Unlike previous studies that examined this transformation in bulk, our work focuses on the deracemization on thin films. Various process parameters were systematically studied to gain deeper insights into the mechanism and to evaluate its potential for integration into thin film technologies.