Electronic, structural, and substrate effect properties of single-layer covalent organic frameworks

Ionic Covalent Organic Frameworks for Energy Devices

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of porous crystalline materials whose facile preparation, functionality, and modularity have led to their becoming powerful platforms for the development of molecular devices in many fields of (bio)engineering, such as energy storage, environmental remediation, drug delivery, and catalysis. In particular, ionic COFs (iCOFs) are highly useful for constructing energy devices, as their ionic functional groups can transport ions efficiently, and the nonlabile and highly ordered all-covalent pore structures of their backbones provide ideal pathways for long-term ionic transport under harsh electrochemical conditions. Here, current research progress on the use of iCOFs for energy devices, specifically lithium-based batteries and fuel cells, is reviewed in terms of iCOF backbone-design strategies, synthetic approaches, properties, engineering techniques, and applications. iCOFs are categorized as anionic COFs or cationic COFs, and how each of these types of iCOFs transport lithium ions, protons, or hydroxides is illustrated. Finally, the current challenges to and future opportunities for the utilization of iCOFs in energy devices are described. This review will therefore serve as a useful reference on state-of-the-art iCOF design and application strategies focusing on energy devices.

Two-Dimensional Polymers and Polymerizations

Synthetic chemists have developed robust methods to synthesize discrete molecules, linear and branched polymers, and disordered cross-linked networks. However, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) prepared from designed monomers have been long missing from these capabilities, both as objects of chemical synthesis and in nature. Recently, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization of covalently linked macromolecular sheets. Here we review 2DPs and 2D polymerization methods. Three predominant 2D polymerization strategies have emerged to date, which produce 2DPs either as monolayers or multilayer assemblies. We discuss the fundamental understanding and scope of each of these approaches, including: the bond-forming reactions used, the synthetic diversity of 2DPs prepared, their multilayer stacking behaviors, nanoscale and mesoscale structures, and macroscale morphologies. Additionally, we describe the analytical tools currently available to characterize 2DPs in their various isolated forms. Finally, we review emergent 2DP properties and the potential applications of planar macromolecules. Throughout, we highlight achievements in 2D polymerization and identify opportunities for continued study.

Quasiparticle electronic structure of two-dimensional heterotriangulene-based covalent organic frameworks adsorbed on Au(111)

The modular nature and unique electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) make them an attractive option for applications in catalysis, optoelectronics, and spintronics. The fabrications of such devices often involve interfaces formed between COFs and substrates. In this work, we employ the first-principlesGWapproach to accurately determine the quasiparticle electronic structure of three 2D carbonyl bridged heterotriangulene-based COFs featuring honeycomb-kagome lattice, with their properties ranging from a semi-metal to a wide-gap semiconductor. Moreover, we study the adsorption of these COFs on Au(111) surface and characterize the quasiparticle electronic structure at the heterogeneous COF/Au(111) interfaces. To reduce the computational cost, we apply the recently developed dielectric embeddingGWapproach and show that our results agree with existing experimental measurement on the interfacial energy level alignment. Our calculations illustrate how the many-body dielectric screening at the interface modulates the energies and shapes of the Dirac bands, the effective masses of semiconducting COFs, as well as the Fermi velocity of the semi-metallic COF.

Interface engineering and integration of two-dimensional polymeric and inorganic materials for advanced hybrid structures

Recent progress and future directions in the creation of hybrid structures based on 2D polymers and inorganic 2D materials are discussed.

Ultrathin porphyrin and tetra-indole covalent organic frameworks for organic electronics applications

The electronic and charge transport properties of porphyrin and tetra-indole porphyrinoid single layer covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. Ultrathin diacetylene-linked COFs based on oxidized tetra-indole cores are narrow gap 2D semiconductors, featuring a pronounced anisotropic electronic band structure due to the combination of dispersive and flat band characteristics, while registering high room temperature charge carrier mobilities. The capability of bandgap and charge carrier localization tuning via the careful selection of fourfold porphyrin and porphyrinoid cores and twofold articulated linkers is demonstrated, with the majority of systems exhibiting electronic gap values between 1.75 eV and 2.3 eV. Tetra-indoles are also capable of forming stable monolayers via non-articulated core fusing, resulting in 2D morphologies with extended π-conjugation and semi-metallic behavior.

Computational Investigation on the Electronic Structure and Functionalities of a Thiophene-Based Covalent Triazine Framework

Using the state-of-the-art theoretical method, we have investigated the electronic and optical properties of a thiophene-based covalent triazine framework (TBCTF). We have found that TBCTF is a direct band gap semiconductor. Our calculations reveal that constitutional isomerism is a tool for band gap tuning. The variation of band gap can be achieved by the bilayer TBCTF formation and further can be tuned by the z-axial strain. We have designed a new two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructure g-ZnO/TBCTF, which shows type-II band alignment, ensuring effective separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. This composite system also exhibits enhanced absorption in the visible range compared to that of individual g-ZnO and TBCTF monolayers. Therefore, this composite system may find potential application in photovoltaic devices. We have also investigated the hydrogen adsorption ability of TBCTF through Li atom doping. Our results indicate that the calculated hydrogen adsorption energies lie in the range, which is suitable for reversible hydrogen storage under ambient conditions. Therefore, the lithium-doped TBCTF may be a potential candidate for the hydrogen storage material.

Template Synthesis of an Ultrathin β-Graphdiyne-Like Film Using the Eglinton Coupling Reaction

β-Graphdiyne (β-GDY) is a two-dimensional carbon material with zero band gap and highly intrinsic carrier mobility and a promising material with potential applications in electronic devices. However, the synthesis of continuous single or ultrathin β-GDY has not been realized yet. Here, we proposed an approach for ultrathin β-GDY-like film synthesis using graphene as a template because of the strong π-π interaction between β-GDY and graphene. The as-synthesized film presents smooth and continuous morphology and has good crystallinity. Electrical measurement reveals that the film presented a conductivity of 1.30 × 10^-2 S·m^-1 by fabricating electronic devices on β-GDY grown on a dielectric hexagonal boron nitride template.

Metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks as single-site catalysts

Heterogeneous single-site catalysts consist of isolated, well-defined, active sites that are spatially separated in a given solid and, ideally, structurally identical. In this review, the potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as platforms for the development of heterogeneous single-site catalysts is reviewed thoroughly. In the first part of this article, synthetic strategies and progress in the implementation of such sites in these two classes of materials are discussed. Because these solids are excellent playgrounds to allow a better understanding of catalytic functions, we highlight the most important recent advances in the modelling and spectroscopic characterization of single-site catalysts based on these materials. Finally, we discuss the potential of MOFs as materials in which several single-site catalytic functions can be combined within one framework along with their potential as powerful enzyme-mimicking materials. The review is wrapped up with our personal vision on future research directions.

Interplay of Chemical and Electronic Structure on the Single-Molecule Level in 2D Polymerization

Single layers of covalently linked organic materials in the form of two-dimensional (2D) polymers constitute structures complementary to inorganic 2D materials. The electronic properties of 2D polymers may be manipulated through a deliberate choice of the organic precursors. Here we address the changes in electronic structure-from precursor molecule to oligomer-by scanning tunneling spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. For this purpose, we introduce the polymerization reaction of 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene via decarboxylation on Cu(111), which is thoroughly characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. We present a comprehensive study of a contamination-free on-surface coupling scheme and study how dehydrogenation, decarboxylation, and polymerization affect the electronic structure on the molecular level.

Width and Crystal Orientation Dependent Band Gap Renormalization in Substrate-Supported Graphene Nanoribbons

The excitation energy levels of two-dimensional (2D) materials and their one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, such as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), are strongly affected by the presence of a substrate due to the long-range screening effects. We develop a first-principles approach combining density functional theory (DFT), the GW approximation, and a semiclassical image-charge model to compute the electronic band gaps in planar 1D systems in weak interaction with the surrounding environment. Application of our method to the specific case of GNRs yields good agreement with the range of available experimental data and shows that the band gap of substrate-supported GNRs are reduced by several tenths of an electronvolt compared to their isolated counterparts, with a width and orientation-dependent renormalization. Our results indicate that the band gaps in GNRs can be tuned by controlling screening at the interface by changing the surrounding dielectric materials.

Band-structure engineering in conjugated 2D polymers

The band structures of several conjugated 2D polymers are calculated through DFT and the influence of the polymer's repeat unit on its electronic structure is discussed.