Lee Y. Park

Lee Park

William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Chemistry

413-597-2191
Thompson Chemistry Lab Rm 102
At Williams since 1993

Lab: Morley Science Lab 148

Education

B.A. Wellesley College (1986)
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Inorganic Chemistry (1992)

Areas of Expertise

My lab’s research is in the area of inorganic and organic materials chemistry and nanotechnology, with a particular interest in self-assembling systems and device applications. One area of investigation has involved the preparation of liquid crystalline compounds (both organic and inorganic) which self-assemble into electrically anisotropic structures. Our approach enables us to tune a number of specific characteristics of these one-dimensional materials, such as temperature range for self-assembly and the strength of intermolecular interactions by means of molecular design and synthesis.

Another area of interest has involved in aspects of self-assembly that have applications in the development of organic solar cells. We have patterned surfaces via methods such as microcontact printing, DPN, and nanosphere lithography, as well as designing novel self-ordering donor and acceptor materials that can be used in photovoltaic devices.

Most recently, we have begun exploring the use of fluorocarbon/hydrocarbon interactions to drive the self-organization of gold nanospheres and nanorods into novel structures that may find use in a variety of fields, by giving rise to novel electrical and optical properties.

Students in my lab are involved in the synthesis and characterization of both organic and inorganic compounds, as well as both small molecule, macromolecular, and nanoparticle systems.

Most of our work is carried out at Williams; for techniques that are currently unavailable at Williams, we have made use of collaborative relationships at various other institutions, such as RPI and MIT.

Our research has been funded by NSF-RUI, NSF-MRI, ACS-PRF.

Images from our research

Scholarship/Creative Work

 

  • “Controlling Film Morphology in Conjugated Polymer:Fullerene Blends with Surface Patterning” L. Y. Park,  A. M. Munro,  D. S. Ginger, J. Am Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 15916.
  • “Complementary C3-Symmetric Donor-Acceptor Components: Co-Crystal Structure and Control of Mesophase Stability,” Park, L. Y., Hamilton, D. G., McGehee, E. A., McMenimen, K. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 10586-10590
  • “Models of Coenzyme B12; an Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment Combining Synthesis of Cob(III)aloxime Complexes and Their Characterization by 1H NMR and Cyclic Voltammetry,” Schofield, M. H., Park, L. Y., Scroggins, S. T., Landis, E. C. Chem. Educator 2003, 8, 248-250.
  • “Science for Kids Outreach Programs: College Students Teaching Science to Elementary School Students and Their Parents,” Koehler, B., Park, L.Y., Kaplan, L.J., J. Chem. Ed.  1999, 76, 1505
  • “Mesomorphic Properties of a Metallomesogen Based Copper (II) Metal-chain Structures,” Park, L.Y., Rowe, J.M.,Chem. Mater. 1998, 10, 1069.
  • “Synthesis of Five- and Six-Coordinate Alkylidene Complexes of the Type Mo(CHR)(NAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2 and Their Use as Living ROMP Initiators or Wittig Reagents.” Fox, H., Lee, J.-K., Park, L.Y., Schrock, R.R. Organometallics, 1993, 12, 759.
  • “Stable Polarons in Polyacetylene Oligomers: Optical Spectra of Long Polyene Radical Cations.” Bally, T., Roth, K. Tang, W., Schrock, R.R., Knoll, K., Park, L.Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 2440.
  • “Effect of Chain Length on the Conductivity of Polyacetylene. Potential Dependence of the Conductivity of a Series of Polyenes Prepared by a Living Polymerization Method.” Park, L.Y. Ofer, D., Gardner, T.J., Schrock, R.R., Wrighton, M.S. Chem. Mater. 1992, 4, 1388.
  • “Preparation of tert-Butyl Capped Polyenes Using a Well Defined Molybdenum Alkylidene Catalyst.” Park, L.Y., Stieglitz, S.G., Schrock, R.R., Crowe, W.E. Macromolecules 1991, 24(12), 3489.
  • “Potential Dependence of the Conductivity of Polyacetylene: Finite Potential Windows of High Conductivity.” Ofer, D., Park, L.Y., Schrock, R.R., Wrighton, M.S. Chem. Mater. 1991, 3, 573.

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 151: Concepts of Chemistry
  • CHEM 335: Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry
  • CHEM 153: Concepts of Chemistry – Advanced Section
  • CHEM 332: Chemistry and Physics of Materials
  • CHEM 155: Current Topics in Chemistry
  • CHEM 336: Chemistry of Materials
  • CHEM 256: Foundations of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM 364: Instrumental Methods of Analysis

Other Professional Experience

  • 1991-93: Postdoctoral Researcher, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center
  • 1997: Visiting Scientist, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • 1997-01: Visiting Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • 2007-08: Visiting Scholar, University of Washington, Seattle
  • 2016-17: Visiting Professor, Ewha Womens University, Seoul, South Korea