1
|
Kramarenko AS, Sharapa DI, Pidko EA, Studt F. Ab Initio Kinetics of Electrochemical Reactions Using the Computational Fc 0/Fc + Electrode. J Phys Chem A 2024. [PMID: 39362650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c04923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
The current state-of-the-art electron-transfer modeling primarily focuses on the kinetics of charge transfer between an electroactive species and an inert electrode. Experimental studies have revealed that the existing Butler-Volmer model fails to satisfactorily replicate experimental voltammetry results for both solution-based and surface-bound redox couples. Consequently, experimentalists lack an accurate tool for predicting electron-transfer kinetics. In response to this challenge, we developed a density functional theory-based approach for accurately predicting current peak potentials by using the Marcus-Hush model. Through extensive cyclic voltammetry simulations, we conducted a thorough exploration that offers valuable insights for conducting well-informed studies in the field of electrochemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr S Kramarenko
- Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Dmitry I Sharapa
- Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Evgeny A Pidko
- Inorganic Systems Engineering Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft 2628 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Studt
- Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engesserstrasse 18, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kazim Abbas Naqvi SM, Abbas F, Bibi S, Shehzad MK, Alhokbany N, Zhu Y, Long H, Vasiliev RB, Nazir Z, Chang S. Theoretical investigation of benzodithiophene-based donor molecules in organic solar cells: from structural optimization to performance metrics. RSC Adv 2024; 14:29942-29954. [PMID: 39309649 PMCID: PMC11413623 DOI: 10.1039/d4ra04818k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) remains a significant challenge in the advancement of organic solar cells (OSCs). In the field of organic photovoltaics (OPVs), considerable progress has been made in optimizing molecular structures to improve the PCE. However, innovative material design strategies specifically aimed at enhancing PCE are still needed. Here, we have designed BDTS-2DPP-based molecules and propose a molecular design approach to develop donor materials that can significantly improve the PCE of OSCs. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods have been adopted in both gas and solvent phases. Our newly designed molecule M1 shows the highest absorption value (λ max = 846 nm), highest electron reorganization energy (λ e = 0.18 eV), and the lowest energy gap (E g = 1.81 eV) among all the designed molecules. M1 molecule also exhibits the highest dipole moment in both gas (10.62 D) and solvent phase (13.62 D), and their ground and excited state dipole moment difference is also higher (μ e - μ g = 2.99 D), which enhances its separation to make it a suitable candidate for charge transfer between HOMO-LUMO (97%). Newly designed molecule M3 is observed to have the highest voltage when the current is zero (V oc = 1.15 V) highest PCE value (21.90%) and highest fill factor (FF) value (89.42%). The lowest excitation binding energy is estimated by newly designed molecule M2 (E b = 0.30 eV), which indicates a higher rate of dissociation during the excitation as observed in transition density matrix (TDM) plots. Utilizing electron density difference maps, the newly designed molecules in dichloromethane solvent exhibited consistent intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The designed molecules were evaluated against reference molecule R to determine if they exhibit superior optoelectronic capabilities. It is found that all designed molecules (M1-M5) exhibit reduced band gaps, are red-shifted in wavelength in comparison to a reference molecule R, and have remarkable charge motilities in terms of reorganisation energies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Muhammad Kazim Abbas Naqvi
- Faculty of Materials Science, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
- Platform for Applied Nanophotonics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Technology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing 100081 China
| | - Faheem Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University Beijing 100089 China
| | - Sadaf Bibi
- School of Energy, Power and Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University Beijing 102206 China
| | | | - Norah Alhokbany
- Department of Chemistry, King Saud University Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Yanan Zhu
- Faculty of Materials Science, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
- Platform for Applied Nanophotonics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Technology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
| | - Hui Long
- Faculty of Materials Science, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
- Department of Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow 119991 Russia
| | - Roman B Vasiliev
- Department of Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow 119991 Russia
| | - Zahid Nazir
- Faculty of Materials Science, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
| | - Shuai Chang
- Faculty of Materials Science, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
- Platform for Applied Nanophotonics, Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Technology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University Shenzhen 518115 China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Santabarbara S, Casazza AP. Thermodynamic Factors Controlling Electron Transfer among the Terminal Electron Acceptors of Photosystem I: Insights from Kinetic Modelling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9795. [PMID: 39337283 PMCID: PMC11432928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Photosystem I is a key component of primary energy conversion in oxygenic photosynthesis. Electron transfer reactions in Photosystem I take place across two parallel electron transfer chains that converge after a few electron transfer steps, sharing both the terminal electron acceptors, which are a series of three iron-sulphur (Fe-S) clusters known as FX, FA, and FB, and the terminal donor, P700. The two electron transfer chains show kinetic differences which are, due to their close geometrical symmetry, mainly attributable to the tuning of the physicochemical reactivity of the bound cofactors, exerted by the protein surroundings. The factors controlling the rate of electron transfer between the terminal Fe-S clusters are still not fully understood due to the difficulties of monitoring these events directly. Here we present a discussion concerning the driving forces associated with electron transfer between FX and FA as well as between FA and FB, employing a tunnelling-based description of the reaction rates coupled with the kinetic modelling of forward and recombination reactions. It is concluded that the reorganisation energy for FX- oxidation shall be lower than 1 eV. Moreover, it is suggested that the analysis of mutants with altered FA redox properties can also provide useful information concerning the upstream phylloquinone cofactor energetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Santabarbara
- Photosynthesis Research Unit, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via A. Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yang CH, Wang CI, Wang YS, Hsu CP. Non-negligible Outer-Shell Reorganization Energy for Charge Transfer in Nonpolar Systems. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20. [PMID: 39143838 PMCID: PMC11360142 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Many charge-transporting molecular systems function as ordered or disordered arrays of solid state materials composed of nonpolar (or weakly polar) molecules. Due to low dielectric constants for nonpolar systems, it is common to ignore the effects of outer-shell reorganization energy (λout). However, ignoring λout has not been properly supported and it can severely impact predictions and insights derived. Here, we estimate λout by two means: from experimental ultraviolet photoelectron spectra, in which vibronic progression in these spectra can be fitted with the widths of peaks determining the low-frequency component in reorganization energy, regarded to be closely associated with λout, and from molecular dynamic (MD) simulation of nonpolar molecules, in which disorder or fluctuation statistics for energies of charged molecules are calculated. An upper bound for λout was obtained as 505 and 549 meV for crystalline anthracene (140 K) and pentacene (50 K), respectively, by fitting of experimental data, and 212 and 170 meV, respectively, from MD simulations. These values are comparable to the inner-sphere reorganization energy (λin) arising from intramolecular vibration. With corresponding spectral density functions calculated, we found that λout is influenced both by low- and high-frequency dynamics, in which the former arises from constrained translational and rotational motions of surrounding molecules. In an amorphous state, about half of the λout's obtained are from high-frequency components, which is quite different from the conventional polar solvation. Moreover, crystalline systems exhibit super-Ohmic spectral density, whereas amorphous systems are sub-Ohmic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Hsun Yang
- Institute
of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Section 2 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Chun-I Wang
- Institute
of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Section 2 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Siang Wang
- Institute
of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Section 2 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ping Hsu
- Institute
of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128 Section 2 Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- National
Center for Theoretical Sciences, 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Stanitska M, Keruckiene R, Sini G, Volyniuk D, Marsalka A, Shi ZE, Liu CM, Lin YR, Chen CP, Grazulevicius JV. Exploring the Charge-Transport and Optical Characteristics of Organic Doublet Radicals: A Theoretical and Experimental Study with Photovoltaic Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:41230-41243. [PMID: 39052450 PMCID: PMC11310911 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c08524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we present a series of stable radicals containing a trityl carbon-centered radical moiety exhibiting interesting properties. The radicals demonstrate the most blue-shifted anti-Kasha doublet emission reported so far with high color purity (full width at half-maximum of 46 nm) and relatively high photoluminescence quantum yields of deoxygenated toluene solutions reaching 31%. The stable radicals demonstrate equilibrated bipolar charge transport with charge mobility values reaching 10-4 cm2/V·s at high electric fields. The experimental results in combination with the results of TD-DFT calculations confirm that the blue emission of radicals violates the Kasha rule and originates from higher excited states, whereas the bipolar charge transport properties are found to stem from the particularity of radicals to involve the same molecular orbital(s) in electron and hole transport. The radicals act as the efficient materials for interlayers, passivating interfacial defects and enhancing charge extraction in PSCs. Consequently, this leads to outstanding performance of PSC, with power conversion efficiency surpassing 21%, accompanied by a remarkable increase in open-circuit voltage and exceptional stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Stanitska
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Kaunas
University of Technology, K. Barsausko St. 59, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Keruckiene
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Kaunas
University of Technology, K. Barsausko St. 59, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Gjergji Sini
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces, CY Paris Cergy Université, EA 2528, 5 mail Gay-Lussac, Cergy-Pontoise, Cedex 95031, France
| | - Dmytro Volyniuk
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Kaunas
University of Technology, K. Barsausko St. 59, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Arunas Marsalka
- Faculty
of Physics, Vilnius University, Sauletekio st. 9-3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Zhong-En Shi
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University
of Technology, 84 Gunjuan
Road, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chung-Ming Liu
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University
of Technology, 84 Gunjuan
Road, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ru Lin
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University
of Technology, 84 Gunjuan
Road, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chih-Ping Chen
- Department
of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University
of Technology, 84 Gunjuan
Road, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan, Republic of China
- College
of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan, Republic of
China
| | - Juozas V. Grazulevicius
- Department
of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Kaunas
University of Technology, K. Barsausko St. 59, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Šrut A, Lear BJ, Krewald V. Symmetric Electron Transfer Coordinates are Intrinsic to Bridged Systems: An ab Initio Treatment of the Creutz-Taube Ion. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404727. [PMID: 38949626 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
A long-standing question in electron transfer research concerns the number and identity of collective nuclear motions that drive electron transfer or localisation. It is well established that these nuclear motions are commonly gathered into a so-called electron transfer coordinate. In this theoretical study, we demonstrate that both anti-symmetric and symmetric vibrational motions are intrinsic to bridged systems, and that both are required to explain the characteristic shape of their intervalence charge transfer bands. Using the properties of a two-state Marcus-Hush model, we identify and quantify these two coordinates as linear combinations of normal modes from ab initio calculations. This quantification gives access to the potential coupling, reorganization energy and curvature of the potential energy surfaces involved in electron transfer, independent of any prior assumptions about the system of interest. We showcase these claims with the Creutz-Taube ion, a prototypical Class III mixed valence complex. We find that the symmetric dimension is responsible for the asymmetric band shape, and trace this back to the offset of the ground and excited state potentials in this dimension. The significance of the symmetric dimension originates from geometry dependent coupling, which in turn is a natural consequence of the well-established superexchange mechanism. The conceptual connection between the symmetric and anti-symmetric motions and the superexchange mechanism appears as a general result for bridged systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Šrut
- TU Darmstadt, Department of Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Benjamin J Lear
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Chemistry, University Park, PA 16802, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vera Krewald
- TU Darmstadt, Department of Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Peter-Grünberg-Straße 4, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Araji H, Nakhoul M, Challita E, Barmo N, Wex B. Cross-over from pyrene to acene optical and electronic properties: a theoretical investigation of a series of pyrene derivatives fused with N-, S, and O-containing heterocycles. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:18466-18475. [PMID: 38916479 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01625d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Pyrene and acene derivatives are an important source of materials for optoelectronic device applications both as emitters and organic semiconductors. The mobility of major charge carriers is correlated with the coupling constants of the respective major charge carrier as well as the relaxation energies. Herein, we have applied range-separated density functionals for the estimation of said values. A series of five alkylated derivatives of pyrene laterally extended by heteroaromatic or phenyl groups were explored and contrasted to nascent pyrene, alkylated pyrene and tetracene. The ground state geometries along with absorption properties and relaxation energies are presented as well as a discussion of the suitability of the material toward hole and electron transport materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hachem Araji
- Lebanese American University, Department of Natural Sciences, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Maria Nakhoul
- Lebanese American University, Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Elio Challita
- Lebanese American University, Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Nour Barmo
- Lebanese American University, Department of Natural Sciences, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Brigitte Wex
- Lebanese American University, Department of Natural Sciences, Byblos, Lebanon.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kang M, Nuomin H, Chowdhury SN, Yuly JL, Sun K, Whitlow J, Valdiviezo J, Zhang Z, Zhang P, Beratan DN, Brown KR. Seeking a quantum advantage with trapped-ion quantum simulations of condensed-phase chemical dynamics. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:340-358. [PMID: 38641733 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00595-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Simulating the quantum dynamics of molecules in the condensed phase represents a longstanding challenge in chemistry. Trapped-ion quantum systems may serve as a platform for the analog-quantum simulation of chemical dynamics that is beyond the reach of current classical-digital simulation. To identify a 'quantum advantage' for these simulations, performance analysis of both analog-quantum simulation on noisy hardware and classical-digital algorithms is needed. In this Review, we make a comparison between a noisy analog trapped-ion simulator and a few choice classical-digital methods on simulating the dynamics of a model molecular Hamiltonian with linear vibronic coupling. We describe several simple Hamiltonians that are commonly used to model molecular systems, which can be simulated with existing or emerging trapped-ion hardware. These Hamiltonians may serve as stepping stones towards the use of trapped-ion simulators for systems beyond the reach of classical-digital methods. Finally, we identify dynamical regimes in which classical-digital simulations seem to have the weakest performance with respect to analog-quantum simulations. These regimes may provide the lowest hanging fruit to make the most of potential quantum advantages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Kang
- Duke Quantum Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Hanggai Nuomin
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jonathon L Yuly
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ke Sun
- Duke Quantum Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jacob Whitlow
- Duke Quantum Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jesús Valdiviezo
- Kenneth S. Pitzer Theory Center, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
| | - Zhendian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David N Beratan
- Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Kenneth R Brown
- Duke Quantum Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li CH, Tabor DP. Reorganization Energy Predictions with Graph Neural Networks Informed by Low-Cost Conformers. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:3484-3489. [PMID: 37017992 PMCID: PMC10848248 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c09030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
A critical bottleneck for the design of high-conductivity organic materials is finding molecules with low reorganization energy. To enable high-throughput virtual screening campaigns for many types of organic electronic materials, a fast reorganization energy prediction method compared to density functional theory is needed. However, the development of low-cost machine-learning-based models for calculating the reorganization energy has proven to be challenging. In this paper, we combine a 3D graph-based neural network (GNN) recently benchmarked for drug design applications, ChIRo, with low-cost conformational features for reorganization energy predictions. By comparing the performance of ChIRo to another 3D GNN, SchNet, we find evidence that the bond-invariant property of ChIRo enables the model to learn from low-cost conformational features more efficiently. Through an ablation study with a 2D GNN, we find that using low-cost conformational features on top of 2D features informs the model for making more accurate predictions. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of reorganization energy predictions on the benchmark QM9 data set without needing DFT-optimized geometries and demonstrate the types of features needed for robust models that work on diverse chemical spaces. Furthermore, we show that ChIRo informed with low-cost conformational features achieves comparable performance with the previously reported structure-based model on π-conjugated hydrocarbon molecules. We expect this class of methods can be applied to the high-throughput screening of high-conductivity organic electronics candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Han Li
- Department
of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Daniel P. Tabor
- Department
of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Akram S, Hadia NMA, Shawky AM, Iqbal J, Khan MI, Alatawi NS, Ibrahim MAA, Ans M, Khera RA. Designing of Thiophene [3, 2-b] Pyrrole Ring-Based NFAs for High-Performance Electron Transport Materials: A DFT Study. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:11118-11137. [PMID: 37008161 PMCID: PMC10061509 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Among the blended components of a photoactive layer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, the acceptor is of high importance. This importance is attributed to its increased ability to withdraw electrons toward itself for their effective transport toward the respective electrode. In this research work, seven new non-fullerene acceptors were designed for their possible utilization in the OPVs. These molecules were designed through side-chain engineering of the PTBTP-4F molecule, with its fused pyrrole ring-based donor core and different strongly electron-withdrawing acceptors. To elucidate their effectiveness, the band gaps, absorption characteristics, chemical reactivity indices, and photovoltaic parameters of all of the architecture molecules were compared with the reference. Through various computational software, transition density matrices, graphs of absorption, and density of states were also plotted for these molecules. From some chemical reactivity indices and electron mobility values, it was proposed that our newly designed molecules could be better electron-transporting materials than the reference. Among all, TP1, due to its most stabilized frontier molecular orbitals, lowest band gap and excitation energies, highest absorption maxima in both the solvent and gas medium, least hardness, highest ionization potential, superior electron affinity, lowest electron reorganization energy, as well as highest rate constant of charge hopping, seemed to be the best molecule in terms of its electron-withdrawing abilities in the photoactive layer blend. In addition, in terms of all of the photovoltaic parameters, TP4-TP7 was perceived to be better suited in comparison to TPR. Thus, all our suggested molecules could act as superior acceptors to TPR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar
Javaid Akram
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - N. M. A. Hadia
- Physics
Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72446, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Shawky
- Science
and Technology Unit (STU), Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department
of Chemistry and Punjab Bio-Energy Institute, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Naifa S. Alatawi
- Physics
Department, Faculty of Science, University
of Tabuk, Tabuk 71421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim
- Chemistry
Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
- School of
Health Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Muhammad Ans
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rasheed Ahmad Khera
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sabir S, Hadia N, Iqbal J, Mehmood RF, Akram SJ, Khan MI, Shawky AM, Raheel M, Somaily H, Khera RA. DFT molecular modeling of A2-D-A1-D-A2 type DF-PCIC based small molecules acceptors for organic photovoltaic cells. Chem Phys Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2022.140026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
12
|
Akram SJ, Hadia NMA, Iqbal J, Mehmood RF, Iqbal S, Shawky AM, Asif A, Somaily HH, Raheel M, Khera RA. Impact of various heterocyclic π-linkers and their substitution position on the opto-electronic attributes of the A-π-D-π-A type IECIO-4F molecule: a comparative analysis. RSC Adv 2022; 12:20792-20806. [PMID: 35919141 PMCID: PMC9297698 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra04097b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate the consequence of different substitution positions of various π-linkers on the photovoltaic properties of an organic solar cell molecule, we have introduced two series of six three-donor molecules, by the substitution of some effective π-linkers on the A-π-D-π-A type reference molecule IECIO-4F (taken as IOR). In series "a" the thienyl or furyl bridge is directly linked between the donor and acceptor moieties, while in series "b" the phenyl ring of the same bridge is working as the direct point of attachment. The frontier molecular orbitals, density of states, transition density matrix, molecular electrostatic potential surfaces, exciton binding energy, excitation energy, wavelength of maximum absorption, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and some other photovoltaic attributes of the proposed molecules were analyzed through density functional theory (DFT) and its time-dependent (TD) approach; the TD-DFT method. Though both series of newly derived molecules were a step up from the reference molecule in almost all of the studied characteristics, the "a" series (IO1a to IO3a) seemed to be better due to their desirable properties such as the highest maximum absorption wavelength (λ max), open-circuit voltage, and fill factor, along with the lowest excitation and exciton dissociation energy, etc. of its molecules. Also, the studied morphology, optical characteristics, and electronic attributes of this series of proposed molecules signified the fact that the molecules with thienyl or furyl ring working as the direct link between the acceptor and donor molecules showed enhanced charge transfer abilities, and could provide a maximum quantum yield of the solar energy supplied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Javaid Akram
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture 38000 Faisalabad Pakistan
| | - N M A Hadia
- Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University P.O. Box 2014 Sakaka Al-Jouf Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture 38000 Faisalabad Pakistan
| | - Rana Farhat Mehmood
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education Township Lahore 54770 Pakistan
| | - Saleem Iqbal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Wah Engineering College, University of Wah Quaid Avenue 47040 Wah Cantt Pakistan
| | - Ahmed M Shawky
- Science and Technology Unit (STU), Umm Al-Qura University Makkah 21955 Saudi Arabia
| | - Areeba Asif
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture 38000 Faisalabad Pakistan
| | - H H Somaily
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University Abha 61413 P.O. Box 9004 Saudi Arabia
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University P.O. Box 9004 Abha Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Raheel
- Department of Chemistry, Baluchistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) Quetta 87300 Pakistan
| | - Rasheed Ahmad Khera
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture 38000 Faisalabad Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Impact of end capped modification on BT-CIC molecule for high-performance photovoltaic attributes: a DFT approach. J Mol Model 2022; 28:218. [PMID: 35821346 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05217-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
With the aim of utilizing structural modeling techniques to design efficient organic solar cells, a quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) and its time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) study have been carried out for the examination of the photovoltaic properties of four BT-ClC-based novel non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) molecules. The designed entities (BT1-BT4) have an A-π-D-π-A configuration with seven fused ring-based BDT central core and newly substituted peripheral acceptor moieties. The optical parameters (absorption maxima, light-harvesting efficiency, first excitation energies, and dipole moments), electronic properties (frontier molecular orbitals, density of states, and molecular electrostatic potential), and charge transfer characteristics (open-circuit voltage, transition density matrix, and fill factor) of the investigated molecules were evaluated using the selected B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) level of theory. The systematic computational analysis reveals that under the influence of terminal acceptor groups, there is an augmentation in the absorption range, and reduction in the band gap values. The electron withdrawing effect of acceptor moieties is evident from the electronic density distribution on the HOMO-LUMO orbitals, along with the density of state (DOS) graphs. Transition density matrix (TDM) analyses reveal consistent charge transfer in the newly devised entities. Reorganization energies computed for electron and hole are significantly lower than the reference, making the transfer of charge carriers efficient. Open-circuit voltage (Voc) of reported acceptor entities, theoretically computed with PTB7-Th donor, revealed maximum output. Furthermore, the estimated fill factor (FF) of the investigated molecules predicted an increase in power conversion efficiencies. Consequently, all the computed parameters favor the applicability of our designed molecules in the field of organic photovoltaics by virtue of their excellent charge mobilities, increased absorption maximum values, and reduced band gaps.
Collapse
|
14
|
Wu CC, Li EY, Chou PT. Reducing the internal reorganization energy via symmetry controlled π-electron delocalization. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7181-7189. [PMID: 35799804 PMCID: PMC9214956 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01851a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The magnitude of the reorganization energy is closely related to the nonradiative relaxation rate, which affects the photoemission quantum efficiency, particularly for the emission with a lower energy gap toward the near IR (NIR) region. In this study, we explore the relationship between the reorganization energy and the molecular geometry, and hence the transition density by computational methods using two popular models of NIR luminescent materials: (1) linearly conjugated cyanine dyes and (2) electron donor-acceptor (D-A) composites with various degrees of charge transfer (CT) character. We find that in some cases, reorganization energies can be significantly reduced to 50% despite slight structural modifications. Detailed analyses indicate that the reflection symmetry plays an important role in linear cyanine systems. As for electron donor-acceptor systems, both the donor strength and the substitution position affect the relative magnitude of reorganization energies. If CT is dominant and creates large spatial separation between HOMO and LUMO density distributions, the reorganization energy is effectively increased due to the large electron density variation between S0 and S1 states. Mixing a certain degree of local excitation (LE) with CT in the S1 state reduces the reorganization energy. The principles proposed in this study are also translated into various pathways of canonically equivalent π-conjugation resonances to represent intramolecular π-delocalization, the concept of which may be applicable, in a facile manner, to improve the emission efficiency especially in the NIR region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chi Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University No. 88, Section 4, Tingchow Road Taipei 116 Taiwan
| | - Elise Y Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University No. 88, Section 4, Tingchow Road Taipei 116 Taiwan
| | - Pi-Tai Chou
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road Taipei 106 Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Andermann AM, Rego LGC. Energetics of the charge generation in organic donor-acceptor interfaces. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:024104. [PMID: 35032994 DOI: 10.1063/5.0076611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-fullerene acceptor materials have posed new paradigms for the design of organic solar cells , whereby efficient carrier generation is obtained with small driving forces, in order to maximize the open-circuit voltage (VOC). In this paper, we use a coarse-grained mixed quantum-classical method, which combines Ehrenfest and Redfield theories, to shed light on the charge generation process in small energy offset interfaces. We have investigated the influence of the energetic driving force as well as the vibronic effects on the charge generation and photovoltaic energy conversion. By analyzing the effects of the Holstein and Peierls vibrational couplings, we find that vibrational couplings produce an overall effect of improving the charge generation. However, the two vibronic mechanisms play different roles: the Holstein relaxation mechanism decreases the charge generation, whereas the Peierls mechanism always assists the charge generation. Moreover, by examining the electron-hole binding energy as a function of time, we evince two distinct regimes for the charge separation: the temperature independent excitonic spread on a sub-100 fs timescale and the complete dissociation of the charge-transfer state that occurs on the timescale of tens to hundreds of picoseconds, depending on the temperature. The quantum dynamics of the system exhibits the three regimes of the Marcus electron transfer kinetics as the energy offset of the interface is varied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Artur M Andermann
- Department of Physics, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Luis G C Rego
- Department of Physics, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kim M, Ryu SU, Park SA, Pu YJ, Park T. Designs and understanding of small molecule-based non-fullerene acceptors for realizing commercially viable organic photovoltaics. Chem Sci 2021; 12:14004-14023. [PMID: 34760184 PMCID: PMC8565376 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc03908c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have emerged as a promising next-generation technology with great potential for portable, wearable, and transparent photovoltaic applications. Over the past few decades, remarkable advances have been made in non-fullerene acceptor (NFA)-based OPVs, with their power conversion efficiency exceeding 18%, which is close to the requirements for commercial realization. Novel molecular NFA designs have emerged and evolved in the progress of understanding the physical features of NFA-based OPVs in relation to their high performance, while there is room for further improvement. In this review, the molecular design of representative NFAs is described, and their blend characteristics are assessed via statistical comparisons. Meanwhile, the current understanding of photocurrent generation is reviewed along with the significant physical features observed in high-performance NFA-based OPVs, while the challenging issues and the strategic perspectives for the commercialization of OPV technology are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minjun Kim
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Seung Un Ryu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673 Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Ah Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673 Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jin Pu
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Taiho Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu Pohang Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673 Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen WC, Chang YC. Rational design of organic semiconductors with low internal reorganization energies for hole and electron transport: position effect of aza-substitution in phenalenyl derivatives. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:18163-18172. [PMID: 34612279 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02902a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Amphoteric-redox phenalenyl radical (PLY) is a suitable candidate used to design ambipolar organic materials. Because the singly occupied nonbonding molecular orbital (NBMO) of PLY has a perfect local nonbonding character, its internal reorganization energy (λ) for transporting holes (λ+) or electrons (λ-) is known to be small. Herein, PLY is employed to study the position effect of the aza group on the λ. By adding or extracting an electron from the NBMO, the bond length alterations can be minute. Therefore, the PLY derivatives are also an excellent candidate to study the contributions from the bond angle alterations to the λ. Substituting the aza groups at the β- or α-positions of PLY shows two different trends. When consecutively substituting the aza group at the three β-positions of PLY, the λs are consistently decreased. Contrarily, a series of double functionalization of aza groups at the four α-positions of PLY, the λs are increased. It is because the local bonding or antibonding character in frontier orbitals (FMO) is observed in α2N-PLY and α4N-PLY. As the FMOs of the three β-substituted PLYs and α6N-PLY have perfect local nonbonding character, we found the bond angle alterations are the main contributors of λ. The λs for most aza-PLYs were smaller than 100 meV. Thus, we propose a design rule for substituting aza groups on the parent molecules with strong local nonbonding character in their FMOs. Based on the adiabatic ionization potential and electron affinity, two π-extended PLY derivatives with small λ were recommended for fabricating air-stable ambipolar OFET.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 10617, Taiwan
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Herbert JM. Dielectric continuum methods for quantum chemistry. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John M. Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| |
Collapse
|