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Xing Z, Li SH, An MW, Yang S. Beyond Planar Structure: Curved π-Conjugated Molecules for High-Performing and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301662. [PMID: 38169145 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cell (PSC) shows a great potential to become the next-generation photovoltaic technology, which has stimulated researchers to engineer materials and to innovate device architectures for promoting device performance and stability. As the power conversion efficiency (PCE) keeps advancing, the importance of exploring multifunctional materials for the PSCs has been increasingly recognized. Considerable attention has been directed to the design and synthesis of novel organic π-conjugated molecules, particularly the emerging curved ones, which can perform various unmatched functions for PSCs. In this review, the characteristics of three representative such curved π-conjugated molecules (fullerene, corannulene and helicene) and the recent progress concerning the application of these molecules in state-of-the-art PSCs are summarized and discussed holistically. With this discussion, we hope to provide a fresh perspective on the structure-property relation of these unique materials toward high-performance and high-stability PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Xing
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, 350007, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shu-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, 541004, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Ming-Wei An
- Strait Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE, Future Technologies), Fujian Normal University and Strait Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (SLoFE), 350007, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shihe Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Nano-Micro Materials Research, School of Advanced Materials, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, 518055, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, 518055, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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2
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Báti G, Laxmi S, Stuparu MC. Mechanochemical Synthesis of Corannulene: Scalable and Efficient Preparation of A Curved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon under Ball Milling Conditions. CHEMSUSCHEM 2023; 16:e202301087. [PMID: 37581302 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Corannulene, a curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is prepared in a multigram scale through mechanochemical synthesis. Initially, a mixer mill approach is examined and found to be suitable for a gram scale synthesis. For larger scales, planetary mills are used. For instance, 15 g of corannulene could be obtained in a single milling cycle with an isolated yield of 90 %. The yields are lower when the jar rotation rate is lower or higher than 400 revolutions per minute (rpm). Cumulatively, 98 g of corannulene is produced through the ball milling-based grinding techniques. These results indicate the future potential of mechanochemistry in the rational chemical synthesis of highly curved nanocarbons such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Báti
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shoba Laxmi
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mihaiela C Stuparu
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University 21 Nanyang Link, 637371, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Li X, Tang A, Wang H, Wang Z, Du M, Guo Q, Guo Q, Zhou E. Benzotriazole-Based 3D Four-Arm Small Molecules Enable 19.1 % Efficiency for PM6 : Y6-Based Ternary Organic Solar Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306847. [PMID: 37565778 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
A third component featuring a planar backbone structure similar to the binary host molecule has been the preferred ingredient for improving the photovoltaic performance of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs). In this work, we explored a new avenue that introduces 3D-structured molecules as guest acceptors. Spirobifluorene (SF) is chosen as the core to combine with three different terminal-modified (rhodanine, thiazolidinedione, and dicyano-substituted rhodanine) benzotriazole (BTA) units, affording three four-arm molecules, SF-BTA1, SF-BTA2, and SF-BTA3, respectively. After adding these three materials to the classical system PM6 : Y6, the resulting ternary devices obtained ultra-high power-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 19.1 %, 18.7 %, and 18.8 %, respectively, compared with the binary OSCs (PCE=17.4 %). SF-BTA1-3 can work as energy donors to increase charge generation via energy transfer. In addition, the charge transfer between PM6 and SF-BTA1-3 also acts to enhance charge generation. Introducing SF-BTA1-3 could form acceptor alloys to modify the molecular energy level and inhibit the self-aggregation of Y6, thereby reducing energy loss and balancing charge transport. Our success in 3D multi-arm materials as the third component shows good universality and brings a new perspective. The further functional development of multi-arm materials could make OSCs more stable and efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Li
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Ailing Tang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Helin Wang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zongtao Wang
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Mengzhen Du
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
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4
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Sacristán-Martín A, Miguel D, Diez-Varga A, Barbero H, Álvarez CM. From Induced-Fit Assemblies to Ternary Inclusion Complexes with Fullerenes in Corannulene-Based Molecular Tweezers. J Org Chem 2022; 87:16691-16706. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Sacristán-Martín
- GIR MIOMeT, IU CINQUIMA/Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid E47011, Spain
| | - Daniel Miguel
- GIR MIOMeT, IU CINQUIMA/Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid E47011, Spain
| | - Alberto Diez-Varga
- GIR MIOMeT, IU CINQUIMA/Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid E47011, Spain
| | - Héctor Barbero
- GIR MIOMeT, IU CINQUIMA/Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid E47011, Spain
| | - Celedonio M. Álvarez
- GIR MIOMeT, IU CINQUIMA/Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid E47011, Spain
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Leith GA, Shustova NB. Graphitic supramolecular architectures based on corannulene, fullerene, and beyond. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:10125-10138. [PMID: 34523630 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02896k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this Feature Article, we survey the advances made in the field of fulleretic materials over the last five years. Merging the intriguing characteristics of fulleretic molecules with hierarchical materials can lead to enhanced properties of the latter for applications in optoelectronic, biomaterial, and heterogeneous catalysis sectors. As there has been significant growth in the development of fullerene- and corannulene-containing materials, this article will focus on studies performed during the last five years exclusively, and highlight the recent trends in designing fulleretic compounds and understanding their properties, that has enriched the repertoire of carbon-rich functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle A Leith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA.
| | - Natalia B Shustova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208, USA.
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6
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Wang Y, Jiang H, Liu X, Xu J, Gao Y, Finney NS. A palate of fluorescent corannulene derivatives: synthesis, spectroscopic properties, and bio-imaging application. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:5818-5821. [PMID: 34002184 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02307a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Reported here is a palate of fluorescent corannulene derivatives suitable for cellular imaging. They are derived from "tagging" corannulene with known fluorophores. The tagged corannulenes display strong fluorescence (φF > 0.25 in MeOH), good photostability and long emission wavelength (500 nm to 600 nm). Cell staining experiments indicate that several of them have excellent cell membrane permeability and targeting ability. In addition, we have found an unexpected, highly efficient energy transfer from corannulene to the pendant fluorophore. This has implications for many areas of corannulene research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Haiyan Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Xueling Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Jun Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Yan Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Nathaniel S Finney
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences Platform, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai, Tianjin 300072, China.
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Stuparu MC. Corannulene: A Curved Polyarene Building Block for the Construction of Functional Materials. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:2858-2870. [PMID: 34115472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This Account describes a body of research in the design and synthesis of molecular materials prepared from corannulene. Corannulene (C20H10) is a molecular bowl of carbon that can be visualized as the hydrogen-terminated cap of buckminsterfullerene. Due to this structural resemblance, it is often referred to as a buckybowl. The bowl can invert, accept electrons, and form host-guest complexes. Due to these characteristics, corannulene presents a useful building block in materials chemistry.In macromolecular science, for example, assembly of amphiphilic copolymers carrying a hydrophobic corannulene block enables micelle formation in water. Such micellar nanostructures can host large amounts of fullerenes (C60 and C70) in their corannulene-rich core through complementarity of the curved π-surfaces. Covalent stabilization of the assembled structures then leads to the formation of robust water-soluble fullerene nanoparticles. Alternatively, use of corannulene in a polymer backbone allows for the preparation of electronic and redox-active materials. Finally, a corannulene core enables polymer chains to respond to solution temperature changes and form macroscopic fibrillar structures. In this way, the corannulene motif brings a variety of properties to the polymeric materials.In the design of non-fullerene electron acceptors, corannulene is emerging as a promising aromatic scaffold. In this regard, placement of sulfur atoms along the rim can cause an anodic shift in the molecular reduction potential. Oxidation of the sulfur atoms can further enhance this shift. Thus, a variation in the number, placement, and oxidation state of the sulfur atoms can create electron acceptors of tunable and high strengths. An advantage of this molecular design is that material solubility can also be tuned. For example, water-soluble electron acceptors can be created and are shown to improve the moisture resistance of perovskite solar cells.Host-guest complexation between corannulene and γ-cyclodextrin under flow conditions of a microfluidic chamber allows for the preparation of water-soluble nanoparticles. Due to an oligosaccharide-based sugarcoat, the nanoparticles are biocompatible while the corannulene component renders them active toward nonlinear absorption and emission properties. Together, these attributes allow the nanoparticles to be used as two-photon imaging probes in cancer cells.Finally, aromatic extension of the corannulene nucleus is seen as a potential route to nonplanar nanographenes. Typically, such endeavors rely upon gas-phase synthesis or metal-catalyzed coupling protocols. Recently, two new approaches have been established in this regard. Photochemically induced oxidative cyclization, the Mallory reaction, is shown to be a general method to access corannulenes with an extended π-framework. Alternatively, solid-state ball milling can achieve this goal in a highly efficient manner. These new protocols bring practicality and sustainability to the rapidly growing area of corannulene-based nanographenes.In essence, corannulene presents a unique building block in the construction of functional materials. In this Account, we trace our own efforts in the field and point toward the challenges and future prospects of this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaiela C. Stuparu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21-Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
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8
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Akahori S, Sasamori T, Shinokubo H, Miyake Y. Quadruply BN-Fused Tetrathia[8]circulenes with Flexible Frameworks: Synthesis, Structures and Properties. Chemistry 2021; 27:8178-8184. [PMID: 33822395 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Quadruply BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulenes were synthesized through four-fold electrophilic borylation. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulene with peripheral phenyl groups exhibits crystal polymorphism, in which the circulene core adopts both planar and saddle conformations in the solid state. The experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the weaker aromaticity of azaborine compared with benzene renders the flexibility of the BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Akahori
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan)
| | - Takahiro Sasamori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8571, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shinokubo
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan)
| | - Yoshihiro Miyake
- Department of Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan)
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Xu P, Liu J, Huang J, Yu F, Li CH, Zheng YX. Interfacial engineering of CuSCN-based perovskite solar cells via PMMA interlayer toward enhanced efficiency and stability. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj02454j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We report a new interfacial engineering strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of CuSCN-based perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Jiahao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Fan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - Cheng-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
| | - You-Xuan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Nanjing University
- Nanjing 210093
- P. R. China
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