Click-chemistry approaches to π-conjugated polymers for organic electronics applications

A facile synthesis of diverse 5-arylated triazoles via a Cu-catalyzed oxidative interrupted click reaction with arylboronic acids in air

A Cu-catalyzed synthesis of 5-arylsubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via an oxidative interrupted click reaction with arylboronic acids in air at room temperature is disclosed.

Vinylidene-based polymers by Rh(i)-NHC catalyzed thiol–yne click polymerization: synthesis, characterization and post-polymerization modification

High molecular weight polymers by rhodium-catalyzed Markovnikov-selective alkyne polyhydrothiolation.

Magnetically induced current density using London atomic orbitals of dihydroindeno-[1,2-b]-fluorenes

We have investigated the substitution effect over the aromaticity of dihydroindeno-[1,2-b]-fluorene, through magnetically induced current and NICS_zz calculations.

New fluorescent through-space conjugated polymers: synthesis, optical properties and explosive detection

New through-space conjugated polymers based on a tetraphenylethene foldamer are explored and utilized in explosive detection in aqueous media.

Non-Fullerene Acceptor-Based Solar Cells: From Structural Design to Interface Charge Separation and Charge Transport

The development of non-fullerene small molecule as electron acceptors is critical for overcoming the shortcomings of fullerene and its derivatives (such as limited absorption of light, poor morphological stability and high cost). We investigated the electronic and optical properties of the two selected promising non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), IDIC and IDTBR, and five conjugated donor polymers using quantum-chemical method (QM). Based on the optimized structures of the studied NFAs and the polymers, the ten donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces were constructed and investigated using QM and Marcus semi-classical model. Firstly, for the two NFAs, IDTBR displays better electron transport capability, better optical absorption ability, and much greater electron mobility than IDIC. Secondly, the configurations of D/A yield the more bathochromic-shifted and broader sunlight absorption spectra than the single moiety. Surprisingly, although IDTBR has better optical properties than IDIC, the IDIC-based interfaces possess better electron injection abilities, optical absorption properties, smaller exciton binding energies and more effective electronic separation than the IDTBR-based interfaces. Finally, all the polymer/IDIC interfaces exhibit large charge separation rate (KCS) (up to 1012⁻1014 s-1) and low charge recombination rate (KCR) (<10⁶ s-1), which are more likely to result in high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). From above analysis, it was found that the polymer/IDIC interfaces should display better performance in the utility of bulk-heterojunction solar cells (BHJ OSC) than polymer/IDTBR interfaces.

Wide Band Gap Polymer Based on Indacenodithiophene and Acenaphthoquinoxaline for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Application

A new wide band gap polymer PIDT-AQx with indacenodithiophene (IDT) as the electron-rich unit and acenaphthoquinoxaline (AQx) as the electron-deficient unit has been designed and synthesized. The optical band gap of PIDT-AQx was 1.81 eV with a HOMO energy level of -5.13 eV. Polymer solar cells with the blend of PIDT-AQx/PC71BM as the active layer achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.56%, with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.84 V, a current density (Jsc) of 9.88 mA cm-2, and a fill factor (FF) of 55% without any solvent additives and pre- or post-treatments. The photovoltaic performance of PIDT-AQx could be slightly improved with a PCE up to 4.78% after thermal annealing due to enhanced Jsc. The results indicate that acenaphthoquinoxaline is a promising building block for developing conjugated polymers for efficient solar cells application.

Definition of green synthetic tools based on safer reaction media, heterogeneous catalysis, and flow technology

Green/Sustainable Chemistry is the scientific platform where chemists are contributing from different areas to develop modern and efficient processes aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of chemical production. To reach these goals scientists, from both academia and industry, need to strongly focus their fundamental and innovative research towards the application of modern principles of Green Chemistry. In this contribution a description of our efforts in this direction is presented.

Applications of Fluorogens with Rotor Structures in Solar Cells

Solar cells are devices that convert light energy into electricity. To drive greater adoption of solar cell technologies, higher cell efficiencies and reductions in manufacturing cost are necessary. Fluorogens containing rotor structures may be helpful in addressing some of these challenges due to their unique twisted structures and photophysics. In this review, we discuss the applications of rotor-containing molecules as dyes for luminescent down-shifting layers and luminescent solar concentrators, where their aggregation-induced emission properties and large Stokes shifts are highly desirable. We also discuss the applications of molecules containing rotors in third-generation solar cell technologies, namely dye-sensitized solar cells and organic photovoltaics, where the twisted 3-dimensional rotor structures are used primarily for aggregation control. Finally, we discuss perspectives on the future role of molecules containing rotor structures in solar cell technologies.

Crystal structure of 4,4′-((1Z,1′Z)-2,2′-(2,5-diethoxy-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))dipyridine, C24H24N2O2

C24H24N2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.7857(4) Å, b = 10.6233(4) Å, c = 8.0268(3) Å, β = 102.104(2)°, V = 982.64(6) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0320, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0827, T = 293(2) K.

Recent Development on Narrow Bandgap Conjugated Polymers for Polymer Solar Cells

There have been exciting developments in the field of polymer solar cells (PSCs) as the potential competitor to the traditional silicon-based solar cells in the past decades. The most successful PSCs are based on the bulk hetero-junction (BHJ) structure, which contains a bicontinuous nanoscale interpenetrating network of a conjugated polymer and a fullerene blend. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of BHJ PSCs have now exceeded 11%. In this review, we present an overview of recent emerging developments of narrow bandgap conjugated polymers for PSCs. We focus on a few important acceptors used in the donor-acceptor type conjugated polymers for highly efficient PSCs. We also reviewed the emerged donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) side chains polymers. The band-gaps and energy levels as well as the photovoltaic performances of conjugated polymers are discussed.

Constructing two dimensional amide porous polymer to promote selective oxidation reactions

Rare example of carboxamide linked 2D COF has been synthesized and applied as robust organic catalyst for selective oxidation reactions with no metal add-ons. The reaction undergoes free radical mechanism aided by the conjugated π-cloud and amide functionality present in the COF.

Efficient and straightforward click synthesis of structurally related dendritic triazoles

Structurally related triazolic dendrimers were efficiently synthesized applying CuAAC reaction.