Chain-Length-Dependent Exciton Dynamics in Linear Oligothiophenes Probed Using Ensemble and Single-Molecule Spectroscopy

Mode-Specific Vibrational Analysis of Exciton Delocalization and Structural Dynamics in Conjugated Oligomers

Exciton delocalization in organic semiconducting polymers, affected by structures at a molecular level, plays a crucial role in modulating relaxation pathways, such as charge generation and singlet fission, which can boost device efficiency. However, the structural diversity of polymers and broad signals from typical electronic spectroscopy have their limits when it comes to revealing the interplay between local structures and exciton delocalization. To tackle these problems, we apply femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy in archetypical conjugated oligothiophenes with different chain lengths. We observed Raman frequency dispersions of symmetric bond stretching modes and mode-specific kinetics in the S₁ Raman spectra, which underpins the subtle and complex interplay between exciton delocalization and bond length alternation along the conjugation coordinate. Our results provide a more general picture of exciton delocalization in the context of molecular structures for conjugated materials.

Structural and Photophysical Templating of Conjugated Polyelectrolytes with Single-Stranded DNA

A promising approach to influence and control the photophysical properties of conjugated polymers is directing their molecular conformation by templating. We explore here the templating effect of single-stranded DNA oligomers (ssDNAs) on cationic polythiophenes with the goal to uncover the intermolecular interactions that direct the polymer backbone conformation. We have comprehensively characterized the optical behavior and structure of the polythiophenes in conformationally distinct complexes depending on the sequence of nucleic bases and addressed the effect on the ultrafast excited-state relaxation. This, in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, allowed us a detailed atomistic-level understanding of the structure-property correlations. We find that electrostatic and other noncovalent interactions direct the assembly with the polymer, and we identify that optimal templating is achieved with (ideally 10-20) consecutive cytosine bases through numerous π-stacking interactions with the thiophene rings and side groups of the polymer, leading to a rigid assembly with ssDNA, with highly ordered chains and unique optical signatures. Our insights are an important step forward in an effective approach to structural templating and optoelectronic control of conjugated polymers and organic materials in general.

Expanded Theory of H- and J-Molecular Aggregates: The Effects of Vibronic Coupling and Intermolecular Charge Transfer

The electronic excited states of molecular aggregates and their photophysical signatures have long fascinated spectroscopists and theoreticians alike since the advent of Frenkel exciton theory almost 90 years ago. The influence of molecular packing on basic optical probes like absorption and photoluminescence was originally worked out by Kasha for aggregates dominated by Coulombic intermolecular interactions, eventually leading to the classification of J- and H-aggregates. This review outlines advances made in understanding the relationship between aggregate structure and photophysics when vibronic coupling and intermolecular charge transfer are incorporated. An assortment of packing geometries is considered from the humble molecular dimer to more exotic structures including linear and bent aggregates, two-dimensional herringbone and "HJ" aggregates, and chiral aggregates. The interplay between long-range Coulomb coupling and short-range charge-transfer-mediated coupling strongly depends on the aggregate architecture leading to a wide array of photophysical behaviors.

A Saturn-Like Complex Composed of Macrocyclic Oligothiophene and C60 Fullerene: Structure, Stability, and Photophysical Properties in Solution and the Solid State

A Saturn-like 1:1 complex composed of macrocyclic oligothiophene E-8T7A and C₆₀ fullerene (C₆₀ ) was synthesized to investigate the interaction between macrocyclic oligothiophenes and C₆₀ in solution and the solid state. Because the Saturn-like 1:1 complex E-8T7A⋅C₆₀ is mainly stabilized by van der Waals interactions between C₆₀ and the sulfur atoms of the E-8T7A macrocycle, C₆₀ is rather weakly incorporated inside the macro-ring in solution. However, in the solid state the Saturn-like 1:1 complex preferentially formed single crystals or nanostructured polymorphs. Interestingly, X-ray analysis and theoretical calculations exhibited hindered rotation of C₆₀ in the Saturn-like complex due to interactions between C₆₀ and the sulfur atoms. Furthermore, the photoinduced charge transfer (CT) interaction between E-8T7A and C₆₀ in solution was investigated by using femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The ultrafast TA spectral changes in the photoinduced absorption bands were attributed to the CT process in the Saturn-like structure.

Effects of molecular architecture on morphology and photophysics in conjugated polymers: from single molecules to bulk

A definitive comprehension of morphology and photophysics in conjugated polymers at multiple length scales demands both single molecule spectroscopy and well-controlled molecular architectures.

Conjugated polymers (CPs) possess a wide range of desirable properties, including accessible energetic bandgaps, synthetic versatility, and mechanical flexibility, which make them attractive for flexible and wearable optoelectronic devices. An accurate and comprehensive understanding about the morphology–photophysics relations in CPs lays the groundwork for their development in these applications. However, due to the complex roles of chemical structure, side-chains, backbone, and intramolecular interactions, CPs can exhibit heterogeneity in both their morphology and optoelectronic properties even at the single chain level. This molecular level heterogeneity together with complicated intermolecular interactions found in bulk CP materials severely obscures the deterministic information about the morphology and photophysics at different hierarchy levels. To counter this complexity and offer a clearer picture for the properties of CP materials, we highlight the approach of probing material systems with specific structural features via single molecule/aggregate spectroscopy (SMS). This review article covers recent advances achieved through such an approach regarding the important morphological and photophysical properties of CPs. After a brief review of the typical characteristics of CPs, we present detailed discussions of structurally well-defined model systems of CPs, from manipulated backbones and side-chains, up to nano-aggregates, studied with SMS to offer deterministic relations between morphology and photophysics from single chains building up to bulk states.

Excited-state structural relaxation and exciton delocalization dynamics in linear and cyclic π-conjugated oligothiophenes

π-Conjugated oligothiophene is considered a chain segment of its polymeric counterpart with simper excited-state dynamics and spectral signatures.

Relating Chromophoric and Structural Disorder in Conjugated Polymers

The optoelectronic properties of amorphous conjugated polymers are sensitive to the details of the conformational disorder, and spectroscopy provides the means for structural characterization of the fragments of the chain that interact with light-"chromophores". A faithful interpretation of spectroscopic conformational signatures, however, presents a theoretical challenge. Here we investigate the relationship between the ground-state optical gaps, the properties of the excited states, and the structural features of chromophores of a single molecule poly(3-hexyl)-thiophene (P3HT) using quantum-classical atomistic simulations. Our results demonstrate that chromophoric disorder arises through the interplay between excited-state delocalization and electron-hole polarization, controlled by the torsional disorder introduced by side chains. Within this conceptual framework, we predict and explain the counterintuitive spectral behavior of P3HT, a red-shifted absorption, despite shortening of chromophores, with increasing temperature. This discussion introduces the concept of disorder-induced separation of charges in amorphous conjugated polymers.

Interference of Interchromophoric Energy-Transfer Pathways in π-Conjugated Macrocycles

The interchromophoric energy-transfer pathways between weakly coupled units in a π-conjugated phenylene-ethynylene macrocycle and its half-ring analogue have been investigated using the nonadiabatic excited-state molecular dynamics approach. To track the flow of electronic transition density between macrocycle units, we formulate a transition density flux analysis adapted from the statistical minimum flow method previously developed to investigate vibrational energy flow. Following photoexcitation, transition density is primarily delocalized on two chromophore units and the system undergoes ultrafast energy transfer, creating a localized excited state on a single unit. In the macrocycle, distinct chromophore units donate transition density to a single acceptor unit but do not interchange transition density among each other. We find that energy transfer in the macrocycle is slower than in the corresponding half ring because of the presence of multiple interfering energy-transfer pathways. Simulation results are validated by modeling the fluorescence anisotropy decay.

Defining Cyclic-Acyclic Exciton Transition at the Single-Molecule Level: Size-Dependent Conformational Heterogeneity and Exciton Delocalization in Ethynylene-Bridged Cyclic Oligothiophenes

Conformational disorder in π-conjugated cyclic systems plays a crucial role in controlling the extent of exciton delocalization in much the same way as that in linear counterparts. However, to date, there have been no detailed spectroscopic investigations on the nature of excitons in π-conjugated cyclic systems at the single-molecule level. Herein, we studied the effect of conformational disorder on the excitonic behaviors of cyclic oligothiophenes composed of 6, 8, 10, and 12 subunits (C-6T, C-8T, C-10T, and C-12T, respectively) by employing single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that, due to the cyclic symmetry constraint which suppresses S1-S0 transition, small and rigid C-6T and C-8T exhibit extremely long fluorescence lifetimes, while short lifetimes typical of linear systems are dominant in large, flexible C-10T and C-12T. Two-dimensional correlation maps between fluorescence lifetimes and spectral positions show that, by torsional defects created through continued photoexcitation, fully delocalized cyclic excitons shrink to form acyclic excitons in the case of C-10T, while localized acyclic excitons from initial states are maintained in the case of C-12T. The distribution of linear dichroism values from C-6T to C-10T gradually broadens but narrows in C-12T, suggesting a cyclic-to-acyclic transition in excitonic nature between C-10T and C-12T.