Theoretical calculations of magnetic properties of the α-, β-, γ- and δ-phases of p-NPNN

Hybrid density functional theory (HDFT) calculations have been carried out for clusters of p-NPNN extracted from the experimental crystal structures of the α-, β-, γ- and δ-phases in order to investigate the weak magnetic interactions between the organic radicals theoretically. From the systematic HDFT calculations for β- and γ-phase p-NPNN clusters, it was found that the magnetic long-range ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orderings would be presented in the β- and γ-phase p-NPNN crystals, respectively.     

Chain confinement promotes β-phase formation in polyfluorene-based photoluminescent ionogels

The synthesis of photoluminescent conjugated polymer silica ionogels using sol-gel chemistry is described. Cooperative self-assembly of an ionic liquid, the silica precursor and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) via hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions drives formation of the PFO β-phase.     

Formation of highly ordered and orientated gold islands: effect of immersion time on the molecular adlayer structure of pentafluorobenzenethiols (PFBT) SAMs on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of pentafluorobenzenethiol (PFBT) on Au(111) substrates, prepared with different immersion times (ITs) at room temperature, were studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). In the present study, the focus was on several important points of interest in the field of SAMs. First, the gold islands formed upon adsorption of PFBT molecules on the gold surface were monitored at different ITs in terms of their size, density, and shape. After short ITs (5 to 30 min), small gold islands with rounded shape were formed. These gold islands were arranged in a rather regular fashion and found to be quite mobile under the influence of the STM-tip during the scanning. When the IT was increased to 16 h, the results revealed the formation of highly ordered and orientated gold islands with very unusual shapes with straight edges meeting at 60° or 120° running preferentially along the [11(-)0] substrate directions. The density of the gold islands was found to decrease with increasing IT until they almost disappeared from the SAMs prepared after 190 h of IT. On top of the gold islands, the PFBT molecules were found to adopt the closely packed (10√3 × 2) structure. Second, a number of structural defects such as disordered regions at the domain boundaries and dark row(s) of molecules within the ordered domains of the PFBT SAMs were observed at different ITs. The SAMs prepared after 190 h of IT were found to be free of these defects. Third, at low and moderate ITs, a variation in the PFBT molecular contrast was observed. This contrast variation was found to depend mainly on the tunneling parameters. Finally, our results revealed that the organization process of PFBT SAMs is IT-dependent. Consequently, a series of structural phases, namely, α, β, γ, δ, and ε were found. The α-, β-, γ-, and δ-phases were typically accompanied by the ε-phase that appeared on top of gold islands. With increasing IT, the α→β→ γ→δ→ε phase transitions took place. The resulting ε-phase, which covered the entire gold surface after 190 h of IT, yielded well-ordered self-assembled monolayers with large domains having a (10√3 × 2) superlattice structure.     

Formation of a defect-free π-electron system in single β-phase polyfluorene chains

Single-molecule spectroscopy can help to uncover the underlying heterogeneity of conjugated polymers used in organic electronics, revealing the most effective molecules in an ensemble in terms of the transport of charge and excitation energy. We demonstrate that β-phase polyfluorene chains can form a near-perfect π-electron system, whereas conventional polymers exhibit chromophoric localization due to perturbation of the conjugation. Broad-band excitation spectroscopy demonstrates that only one absorbing and emitting unit is present on the polymer chain with an average length of ～500 repeat units, illustrating that the material effectively behaves as a molecular quantum wire with strong electronic coupling throughout the entire system.     

全无机卤化铅钙钛矿的结构、热力学稳定性和电子性质

有机-无机杂化卤化铅钙钛矿因具有独特的电子和光学特性,已经成为光电领域最有前途的材料。但是,有机-无机钙钛矿材料及器件稳定性差,限制了其实际应用。与杂化钙钛矿相比,全无机卤化物钙钛矿CsPbX₃(X=Cl,Br,I)显示出更强的热稳定性。全无机卤化物钙钛矿CsPbX₃具有多个晶型,在不同的温度下呈不同相结构。目前,关于CsPbX₃的结构和物理性质仍存在争议。本文我们针对三个晶相α-,β-和γ-CsPbX₃的结构,热力学稳定性和电子性质进行了全面的理论研究。第一性原理计算表明,从高温α相到低温β相,然后再到γ相的相变伴随着PbX₆八面体的畸变。零温形成能计算表明,γ相最稳定,这与实验中γ相为低温稳定相的结论一致。电子性质计算表明,所有CsPbX₃钙钛矿都表现出直接带隙性质,并且带隙值从α相到β相再到γ相逐渐增加。这是由于相变发生时,Pb-X成键强度逐渐减弱,使价带顶能量降低,进而带隙增加。在所有相中,α相结构中较强的Pb-X相互作用,导致了较强的带边色散,使其具有较小的载流子有效质量。     

Insights into the β-phase of polyfluorene: characterization,regulation, and mechanism

Due to the unique blue-light properties, wide excited emission interval and so on, polyfluorenes (PFs) are among the most promising blue-light polymers that are widely used in organic lasers and organic light-emitting diodes. Usually, PFs exhibit two different phases: α-phase and β-phase, and the β-phase has higher photoluminescence efficiency and carrier mobility than the one of α-phase. Hence, improving the content of β-phase is very important to enhance the device performance. In this paper, we introduce the methods for characterizing the β-phase in PFs and summarize the recent research progress in regulating the β-phase content. Firstly, the differences between the α-phase and the β-phase of PFs in terms of structure, aggregation behavior, and optoelectronic properties are summarized. Then, the characterization for the β-phase, including ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum (UV–vis), photoluminescence spectrum (PL), and Raman spectrum, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are introduced, and the calculating rules for the content of β-phase is also introduced. Furthermore, the methods to increase the content of β-phase are reviewed. Finally, a brief outlook on the challenges and future development prospects of β-phase in PFs are discussed.     

Phases of tetraphosphorus triselenide analysed by magic angle spinning 31P NMR and Raman spectroscopy,and the Raman spectrum of tetraphosphorus tetraselenide

The local environments of the cage molecules in the phases of P₄Se₃ are analysed with ³¹P MAS-NMR and Raman spectroscopy.The ³¹P MAS-NMR spectra of the orientationally ordered α and α′,-phases have different chemical shifts for the apical P atom (α: 68.0, 86 and 88.0 ppm; α′: 75.8 ppm), but similar chemical shifts for the basal P atoms (α: −58.8 ppm, α′: −60.0 ppm).When either α or α′-P₄Se₃ is heated above 358 K, the resulting β-P₄Se₃ has a well-resolved, liquid-like spectrum, indicating extensive molecular re-orientation. The slowly quenched β-phase shows a remnant β-phase mixed with the α-phase as well as P₄Se₄. A rapidly quenched sample of β-P₄Se₃ also shows a small remnant β-phase in the α-phase, but also a new phase with sharp resonances at 12.5, 3.6, 0.1 and −12 ppm. These are probably due to a P₄Se₄ phase which may be orientationally disordered.The Raman spectrum of P₄Se₃ heated above the α-β phase transition temperature shows a disappearance of the lattice modes and the 373 cm⁻¹ mode as previously reported, but also shows some decomposition to P₄Se₄. The β-phase reverts into the α-phase on quenching, with only weak remnant bands attributable to P₄Se₄. The bands of P₄Se₄ become more prominent as the temperature of the β-phase is raised, but above the β-∂ phase transition they are less prominent.The Raman spectrum of P₄Se₄ is reported. The strongest band is at 350 cm⁻¹, with the next strongest band at 185 cm⁻¹. The spectra indicate that the dominant isomer is the selenium analogue of α-P₄S₄ (D_2h), confirming previous ³¹P MAS-NMR studies.     

Thermomechanical enhancement of DPP-4T through purposeful π-conjugation disruption

The design of polymer-based organic semiconductors that offer mechanical deformability while maintaining efficient semiconducting characteristics remains a significant challenge. Recent synthetic efforts have incorporated small alkyl segments directly into otherwise π-conjugated polymer backbones to enhance processability, mechanical deformability, and other properties. The resulting polymers can be used as stand-alone materials or as matrix polymers in complementary semiconducting polymer blends offering reasonable charge-carrier transport properties, thermal healing, and deformability. Here, a family of diketopyrrolopyrrole-tetrathiophene variants is explored via large-scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to examine the effect of alkyl segments incorporated into the polymer backbone on the polymer structure, dynamics, and thermal properties. Longer alkyl segments lead to polymer chains that are more flexible, compact, and mobile, with lower glass transition temperatures for the condensed phase.     

Synthesis,optical, electrochemical and electroluminescent properties of novel fluorene-alt-bithiophene copolymers bearing phenylvinyl bridged accepting side chains

Two-dimensional poly[fluorene-alt-bithiophene] backboned copolymers were prepared by introducing phenylvinyl bridged accepting side chain containing malononitrile, 1,3-indanedione, or 4-nitrophenyl acetonitrile accepting moiety. The structural, optical, electroluminescent, electrochemical properties of these polymers were studied in details. These polymers possess good thermal stability and low highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level (−5.59 to 5.67 eV). Results show that the introduction of π-conjugated accepting side chains can effectively adjust the optical and electrochemical properties of the resulting polymers. These new alternating copolymers may be promising electroluminescent materials.     

Tetrathienoanthracene-based copolymers for efficient solar cells

A series of semiconducting copolymers (PTAT-x) containing extended π-conjugated tetrathienoanthracene units have been synthesized. It was shown that the extended conjugation system enhanced the π-π stacking in the polymer/PC(61)BM blend films and facilitated the charge transport in heterojunction solar cell devices. After structural fine-tuning, the polymer with bulky 2-butyloctyl side chains (PTAT-3) exhibited a PCE of 5.6% when it was blended with PC(61)BM.     

Hysteretic spin crossover between a bisdithiazolyl radical and its hypervalent σ-dimer

The bisdithiazolyl radical 1a is dimorphic, existing in two distinct molecular and crystal modifications. The α-phase crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4?2(1)m and consists of π-stacked radicals, tightly clustered about 4? points and running parallel to c. The β-phase belongs to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c and, at ambient temperature and pressure, is composed of π-stacked dimers in which the radicals are linked laterally by hypervalent four-center six-electron S···S-S···S σ-bonds. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility χ measurements confirm that α-1a behaves as a Curie-Weiss paramagnet; the low-temperature variations in χ can be modeled in terms of a 1D Heisenberg chain of weakly coupled AFM S = (1)/(2) centers. The dimeric phase β-1a is essentially diamagnetic up to 380 K. Above this temperature there is a sharp hysteretic (T↑= 380 K, T↓ = 375 K) increase in χ and χT. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of β-1a at 393 K has established that the phase transition corresponds to a dimer-to-radical conversion in which the hypervalent S···S-S···S σ-bond is cleaved. Variable-temperature and -pressure conductivity measurements indicate that α-1a behaves as a Mott insulator, but the ambient-temperature conductivity σ(RT) increases from near 10(-7) S cm(-1) at 0.5 GPa to near 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 5 GPa. The value of σ(RT) for β-1a (near 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 0.5 GPa) initially decreases with pressure as the phase change takes place, but beyond 1.5 GPa this trend reverses, and σ(RT) increases in a manner which parallels the behavior of α-1a. These changes in conductivity of β-1a are interpreted in terms of a pressure-induced dimer-to-radical phase change. High-pressure, ambient-temperature powder diffraction analysis of β-1a confirms such a transition between 0.65 and 0.98 GPa and establishes that the structural change involves rupture of the dimer in a manner akin to that observed at high temperature and ambient pressure. The response of the S···S-S···S σ-bond in β-1a to heat and pressure is compared to that of related dimers possessing S···Se-Se···S σ-bonds.     

New synthetic methods of π-conjugated inclusion complexes with high conductivity

A new method for the synthesis of an insulated π-conjugated molecule was developed via the sequential self-inclusion of π-conjugated guest branched permethylated α-cyclodextrin followed by the elongation of the π-conjugated unit. Covering a single π-conjugated wire by an α-cyclodextrin derivatives can suppress conductance fluctuation. The insulated π-conjugated molecules were utilized in the synthesis of highly conductive zigzag- and functionalized-insulated molecular wires.     

Solvent evaporation induced liquid crystalline phase in poly(3-hexylthiophene)

We report on the evolution of the chain orientation of a representative π-conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), during the solution-casting process, as monitored using polarized Raman spectroscopy. These measurements point to the formation of a liquid-crystalline phase of P3HT solutions within a specific time period during solvent evaporation, which leads to a conducting channel. These conclusions are based on the angular dependence of polarized Raman scattering peaks, the anisotropy in the fluorescence background signal, analysis of the scattering-peak shape, and direct observations of the three-phase contact line in an optical microscope under crossed polarizers. These results shed new light on the evolution of chain alignment and thus materials nanostructure, specifically in solution-processed P3HT and more generally in π-conjugated systems. They may further enable the design of improved materials and processes for this important class of polymers.     

Nondilute 1,2-dichloroethane solution of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl): A study on the aggregation process

Molecular aggregates in conjugated polymer(CP) solution can propagate into mesoscale morphology of the relevant film and further dominate the optoelectronic property. Herein, we probed the aggregation behavior of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl)(PFO) and studied its influence on the photophysical property in 1,2-dichloroethane(DCE) solution, where the contents of β-phase or-aggregates increased with prolonged aging time. Thereinto, high quality β-film was fabricated from DCE solution with critical aggregate time of 6 min. The film exhibited excellent surface morphology and characteristic emission of β-phase. Meanwhile, films prepared from aged DCE solutions exhibited high crystallinity, which was promising to obtain higher photoluminance efficiency and charge transport ability simultaneously. Therefore, it is significant to get deep insight into the aggregation behavior of CP, which is involved not only with the solution-processing technology of plastic device, but also with the optoelectronic property of CP.     

Effects of temperature and water on the γ → α crystalline transition of nylon 6 caused by stretching in the chain direction

The effects of temperature and water on the crystal transition of nylon 6 from the γ phase to the α phase, which is caused by stretching along the chain direction, were investigated. The γ-phase fibers with high crystallite orientation were stretched at constant load under various conditions. An inversion of the effect of water on the transition occurs at about ?60°C. Stretching in the wet state is more effective for the transition at higher temperature. In contrast, at low temperatures water in the crystalline regions actsasa cohesive agent for the chains and increases the activation energy for the transition. Thus, dry stretching is more effective than wet stretching at very low temperature. The fraction of transformed α-phase crystallites increases abruptly over a narrow range of stress. Thus the critical stress can be determined for the transition. The critical stress changes appreciably with temperature; the higher the temperature, the lower the critical stress. The relation between stretching temperature and critical stress was analyzed by Flory's equation for the shift of transition temperature by stress. About 220°C. was estimated as the zero-stress transition temperature. The heat content of the γ-phase crystal was estimated to be smaller by 500 cal./mole than that of the α-phase crystal. This result suggests that the free energy of the γ-phase crystal is lower than that of the α-phase crystal at temperatures lower than the transition point. The irreversible strain of a sample in which the crystal transition has taken place is very small at low temperature. This small extension of the sample is evidence that the γ → α transition produced by stretching along the chain axis is a crystal-crystal transition.     

Effect of the Solvent on the Conformation of Isolated MEH‐PPV Chains Intercalated Into SnS2

Photophysical processes in conjugated polymers are influenced by two competing effects: the extent of excited state delocalization along a chain, and the electronic interaction between chains. Experimentally, it is often difficult to separate the two because both are controlled by chain conformation. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to modify intra‐chain delocalization without inducing inter‐chain interactions by intercalating polymer monolayers between the sheets of an inorganic layered matrix. The red‐emitting conjugated polymer, MEH‐PPV, is confined to the interlayer space of layered SnS₂. The formation of isolated polymer monolayers between the SnS₂ sheets is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction measurements. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the incorporated MEH‐PPV chains reveal that the morphology of the incorporated chains can be varied through the choice of solvent used for chain intercalation. Incorporation from chloroform results in more extended conformations compared to intercalation from xylene. Even highly twisted conformations can be achieved when the incorporation occurs from a methanol:chloroform mixture. The PL spectra of the MEH‐PPV incorporated SnS₂ nanocomposites using the different solvents are in good agreement with the PL spectra of the same solutions, indicating that the conformation of the polymer chains in the solutions is retained upon intercalation into the inorganic host. Therefore, intercalation of conjugated polymer chains into layered hosts enables the study of intra‐chain photophysical processes as a function of chain conformation.     

Photophysics of π-conjugated oligomers and polymers that contain transition metal complexes

There has been a surge of interest concerning the synthesis, optical and electronic properties of π-conjugated polymers that contain transition metal complexes. The integration of transition metal chromophores that feature metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states into a π-conjugated polymer permits easy variation of the material’s optical and electronic properties. In this review, we survey a number of recent photophysical studies that examine π-conjugated oligomer or polymer/transition metal complex hybrids. The effects of the types of π-conjugated backbone, oligomer and polymer structure, the conjugation length and coordination to a variety of metal chromophores on the photophysics of the organic-metal hybrids are discussed. The degree of interaction between the polymer (or oligomer) and metal complex based excited states dramatically modulates the observed photophysics.     

Synergistic Effects of External Electric Field and Solvent Vapor Annealing with Different Polarities to Enhance β-Phase and Carrier Mobility of the Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) Films

In this work, the synergistic effects of external electric field(EEF) and solvent vapor annealing to enhance β-phase and carrier mobility of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene)(PFO) films were investigated. It is found that EEF can promote the PFO β-phase conformation transition and orientate the PFO chains along the EEF direction with the assistance of polar solvent vapor annealing. PFO chain orderness is closely related to the solvent polarity. In particular, the β-phase content in the annealed film of strong polar chloroform vapor increases from 18.7% to 34.9% after EEF treatment. Meanwhile a characteristic needle-like crystal is formed in the film, as a result, the hole mobility is enhanced by an order of magnitude. The mechanism can be attributed to the fast polarization of solvent dipole under the action of EEF, thus forming a driving force that greatly facilitates the orientation of PFO dipole unit. Research also reveals that EEF driving of the PFO chains does not occur with an insoluble solvent vapor since the solvent molecules cannot swell the film, thus there is insufficient free volume for PFO chains to adjust their conformation. This research enriches the understanding of the relationship between solvent vapor annealing and EEF in orientation polymers, and this method is simple and controlled, and capable of integrating into large-area thin film process, which provides new insights to manufacture low-cost and highly ordered polymer films, and is of great significance to enhance carrier mobility and efficiency of photoelectric devices based on polymer condensed matter physics.     

Synthesis and characterisation of photopolymerisable liquid crystals based on the π-extended fluorene core and their corresponding non-reactive analogues

We have synthesised a series of new reactive mesogens with photopolymerisable di-acrylates and their corresponding non-reactive analogues based on the π-conjugated aromatic core, fluorene (F)-di-[thiophene (T)-benzene (B)], using the Stille and Suzuki coupling reaction. The effect of lateral alkyl chains on the 9-position of the central fluorene moiety as well as α, ω- side alkyl chains attached to the π-conjugated aromatic core on the mesomorphism was investigated by utilising differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarising optical microscopy (POM). A wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study at the various temperatures was also carried out to reveal phase structures. Photopolymerisable di-acrylates connected directly to the rigid aromatic core showed higher phase transition temperatures, probably due to the induced dipole moment in comparison with those of a non-reactive methyl–ether counterpart.     

α- and β-phases of the Al-Mn-Si system

Homogeneity regions and crystal structures of ternary α- and β-phases based on Al₉Mn₂Si and Al₉Mn₃Si have been investigated at a temperature of 823 K by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray, and electron probe microanalysis techniques. It is established that the α-phase is formed in the composition region of 7.4–15.9 at % of Si at a manganese isoconcentrate of ～18 at %. When the manganese concentration is 24–26%, the β-phase has a homogeneity region from 3.7 to 18.5 at % of Si and is situated parallel to the Al-Si side. A fragment of the isothermal section for the Al-Mn-Si system in an aluminum-rich alloy region has been constructed.