High-efficiency quaternary polymer solar cells enabled with binary fullerene additives to reduce nonfullerene acceptor optical band gap and improve carriers transport

The polymer/small-molecule electron donor and nonfullerene organic electron acceptor are of structural similarity with both donor and acceptor molecules consisting of polycyclic fused-ring backbone and being decorated with alkyl-chains.In this study,we report that the introduction of binary fullerenes(C_(60)-/C_(70)-PCBM and C_(60)-/C_(70)-ICBA)into a nonfullerene binary system PBDB-T:ITIC reduces the polymer-nonfullerene acceptor intermixing,obtaining higher crystallinity with(100)crystal coherence length from 28 to 29–33 nm for the ITIC,and from 14 to 20–24 nm for the PBDB-T,and improved electron and hole mobilities both.Unprecedentedly,such a protocol reduces the ITIC optical band gap from 1.59 to 1.55 eV.As consequences,higher short-circuit current-density(17.8–18.4 vs.15.8 m A/cm~2),open-circuit voltage(0.92 vs.0.90 V)and fill-factor(0.72–0.73 vs.0.68)are simultaneously obtained,which ultimately afford higher efficient quaternary polymer solar cells with power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)up to 12.0%–12.8%comparing to the host binary device with 9.9%efficiency.For the polymer,ITIC,and ICBA/PCBM ternary blends,11%PCEs were recorded.The use of PCBM leads to larger red-shifting in thin film absorption and external quantum efficiency(EQE)response.Such effect is more pronounced when ICBA:PCBM mixture is used.These results indicate the size and shape of C_(60)and C_(70)as well as the substituent position of the second indene unit on C_(60)-/C_(70)-ICBA affect not only the blend morphology but also the electronic coupling in BHJ mixtures:the quaternary device performance increased in sequences of C_(70)-PCBM:C_(70)-ICBA→C_(70)-PCBM:C_(60)-ICBA→C_(60)-PCBM:C_(70)-ICBA→C_(60)-PCBM:C_(60)-ICBA.The resonant soft X-ray scattering(RSoXS)data indicated the most refined phase separation in the C_(60)-PCBM:C_(60)-ICBA based blend,corresponding to its best device function among the quaternary devices.These results indicate that the using of binary fullerenes as the acceptor additives allows for tuning nonfullerene blended film’s optical properties and filmmorphologies,shedding light on the designing high-performance multi-acceptor polymer solar cells.     

Thermochemistry of Solvated Crystals of C60> and C70> with o-Xylene

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the binary systems of C₆₀-o-xylene and C₇₀-o-xylene and the ternary system C₆₀-C₇₀-o-xylene. Fullerene C₆₀ formed solvated crystals C₆₀·2C₈H₁₀ with incongruent melting point 320 K and with enthalpy of decomposition 31±3 kJ (mol of C₆₀)^-1. Two solvated crystals of C₇₀ with incongruent melting points 283 and 369 K, and with decomposition enthalpies 18.5±2.2 and 23.0±1.5 kJ (mol of C₇₀)^-1, were formed from o-xylene solutions. Three ternary compositions with C₆₀/C₇₀ mole ratios of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 were scanned by DSC. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Normal modes of the MoO2−4 ion in Tb1.8Eu0.2(MoO4)3 single crystal

Polarized Raman spectra (single crystal) at 300 K and infrared spectra (powder) at 300 and 77 K in the region 250–1000 cm^?1 of a binary molybdate of terbium and europium have been recorded. Based on C_2v symmetry, group theoretical analysis has been carried out and a vibrational assignment is proposed.     

Phase equilibria of the 0.8H2O-0.2C5H12 system within the temperature range of 303–684 K at pressures up to 60 MPa

Thermodynamic properties of a binary system containing of 0.2 mass fractions of C₅H₁₂ and 0.8 mass fractions of H₂O over the density and temperature ranges 87–713.68 kg/m³ and 303–684 K at pressures up to 60 MPa were studied experimentally using the constant volume piezometer method. Phase equilibrium lines and critical points of the system were obtained.     

Synthesis of C70‐Based Fluorophores through Sequential Functionalization to Form Isomerically Pure Multiadducts

Selective addition to the C₇₀ cage divides its π‐conjugated system into various smaller π‐conjugated systems with enhanced fluorescent properties. Key reactions include chlorination, methoxylation, ozonation, and Bingel or Bingel–Hirsch reactions. The maximum emission wavelength of the C₇₀ multiadducts ranges from 450 to 655 nm. Among the C₇₀ multiadducts, C₇₀(OMe)₈(C(COOEt)₂)₃ showed the highest quantum yield (Φ _F=0.18) and the largest Δ[λ _max(emission)− λ _max(absorption)] (402 nm), with maximum emission at 655 nm.     

Strong Antiferromagnetic Coupling of Spins in the (MDABCO+)(C60.−) Salt with 3D Close Packing of the C60.− Radical Anions (MDABCO+: N‐Methyldiazabicyclooctanium Cation)

A new salt, (MDABCO⁺)(C₆₀^.?) ( 1 ; MDABCO⁺=N‐methyldiazabicyclooctanium cation), was obtained as single crystals. The crystal structure of 1 determined at 250 and 100 K showed 3D close packing of fullerenes with eight fullerene neighbors for each C₆₀^.?. These neighbors are located at 10.01–10.11 Å center‐to‐center distances (250 K) and van der Waals interfullerene C???C contacts are formed with four fullerene neighbors arranged in the bc plane. Fullerene ordering observed below 160 K is accompanied by the appearance of one and a half independent C₆₀^.? and trebling of the unit cell along the b axis. Fullerenes are packed closer to each other at 100 K. As a result, fullerenes are located in the three‐dimensional packing at 9.91–10.12 Å center‐to‐center distances and 18 short interfullerene C???C contacts are formed for each C₆₀^.?. Although they are closed packed, fullerenes are not dimerized down to 1.9 K. Magnetic data indicate strong antiferromagnetic coupling of spins in the 70–300 K range with a Weiss temperature of Θ=?118 K. Magnetic susceptibility shows a round maximum at 46 K. Such behavior can be described well by the Heisenberg model for square two‐dimensional antiferromagnetic coupling of spins with an exchange interaction of J/k_B=?25.3 K. This magnetic coupling is one of the strongest observed for C₆₀^.? salts.     

Direct and initiated halogenation of carbon nanomaterials at low temperatures

Cryochemical reactions of the direct and initiated (by photolysis and radiolysis) halogenation of carbon nanomaterials (C₆₀ fullerene, nanotubes, and nanofibers) at 77–240 K were investigated by the ESR, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. A high reactivity of C₆₀ in reactions with fluorine and chlorine with the formation of corresponding derivatives was shown. High concentrations of radical intermediates indicating the radical chain halogenation of C₆₀ were detected (the kinetic chain length for the chlorination process reaches 10⁴–10⁶ units). The amount of chlorine attached to fullerene is ～35% and practically does not depend on the initiation mode (UV or γ-irradiation at doses up to 350 kGy). The mechanism of the cryochemical halogenation of C₆₀ is considered within the limits of the model of multicenter synchronous transitions in a molecular complex consisting of several reactant molecules including molecular fluorine or chlorine and ensuring a net exothermic effect. The amount of chlorine added to nanotubes and nanofibers did not exceed 2.5–8%, thereby indicating a low reactivity of these materials under cryogenic conditions.     

Solution ozonolysis of C<Subscript>70</Subscript>: stable products and chemiluminescence

For the first time the total and relative contents of the stable ozonolysis products of fullerene C₇₀ solutions were identified by IR spectroscopy and elemental and chemical analyses. At the 100% conversion of C₇₀ a mixture of products corresponding to the empirical formula C₇₀O_14.3H_0.21 (epoxides: polyketones: polyesters: secondary fullerene ozonides (SFOZ): acids = 1.07: 6: 6: 0.21: 1.02) is formed. The content of polyketones, polyesters, acids, and SFOZ increases during the whole ozonolysis time (1 h). The number of oxygen atoms in epoxides C₇₀O _n (n = 1–4) is lower than that in epoxides C₆₀O _n (n = 1–6) formed by the ozonolysis of fullerene C₆₀. The kinetic curve of accumulation of epoxides C₇₀O _n (n = 1–4) passes through a maximum, which is observed 0.5 min after the beginning of ozonolysis. No epoxides were identified among the products 3.5 min after the ozonolysis. The photoluminescence (PL) (λ_max = 645 and 685 nm) of fullerene polyketones in glassy EtO₂/EtOH solutions frozen at 77 K was observed. This PL is much brighter, than that of polyketones formed upon the ozonolysis of fullerenes C₆₀. For the first time the chemiluminescence (CL) was detected and studied upon the ozonolysis of C₇₀ solutions at 300 K. The CL emitters are excited states of fullerene polyketones. The CL spectrum is partially overlapped with the known CL spectrum appeared upon the ozonolysis of C₆₀ (λ_max = 685 nm) but contains the greater number of maxima (λ_max = 645 and 685 nm), which is related to a lower symmetry of the C₇₀ oxidation products.     

Distribution of C60 and C70 fullerenes in the extraction system (C60 + C70)-α-pinene-ethanol-H2O

The distribution of C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes in the extraction system (C₆₀ + C₇₀)-α-pinene-ethanol-H₂O was studied at constant C₆₀ to C₇₀ ratio and variable total fullerene concentration at 25°C. The relationship between the C₆₀ and C₇₀ content in ethanol (I) and α-pinene (II) phases is nonlinear over the entire fullerene concentration range.     

The structural-phase state of C<Subscript>60</Subscript>-C<Subscript>70</Subscript> fullerene mixtures

The structural and phase state of the C₆₀-C₇₀ system at various C₆₀/C₇₀ ratios in mixtures obtained by the vaporization of solutions in toluene at ∼98°C was studied by X-ray structure analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy. Solid solutions based on the face-centered cubic packing of C₆₀ are not formed in the C₆₀-C₇₀ system at C₇₀ contents from 0.5 to 50 wt %. The hexagonal close packing of a solid solution of C₆₀ in C₇₀ can be formed as a result of the thermally activated decomposition of the ternary crystal solvate in the C₆₀-C₇₀-C₆H₅CH₃ system. The structural state of multiphase mixtures formed under conditions far from equilibrium is characterized by a high degree of structure imperfection and greater ability to undergo oxidation compared with C₆₀ and C₇₀.     

Solubility of light fullerenes in oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids at 20–80°C

Solubility of light fullerenes (C₆₀, C₇₀, and the standard fullerene mixture containing (wt %): C₆₀ 65, C₇₀ 34, C _n>70 1) in the oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids, respectively, at 20–80°C was studied and the corresponding solubility polytherms were reported.     

A Tunable Cyclic Container: Guest‐Induced Conformational Switching,Efficient Guest Exchange,and Selective Isolation of C70 from a Fullerene Mixture

An adaptable cyclic porphyrin dimer with highly flexible linkers has been used as an artificial molecular container that can efficiently encapsulate various aromatic guests (TCNQ/C₆₀/C₇₀) through strong π–π interactions by adjusting its cavity size and conformation. The planar aromatic guest (TCNQ) can be easily and selectively exchanged with larger aromatic guests (C₆₀/C₇₀). During the guest‐exchange process, the two porphyrin rings switch their relative orientation according to the size and shape of the guests. This behavior of the cyclic container has been thoroughly investigated by using UV/Vis spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystal structure determination of the host–guest assemblies. The electrochemical and photophysical studies demonstrated the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer from bisporphyrin to TCNQ/C₆₀/C₇₀ in the respective host–guest assemblies. The cyclic host can form complexes with C₆₀ and C₇₀ with association constants of (2.8±0.2)×10⁵ and (1.9±0.3)×10⁸ m ⁻¹, respectively; the latter value represents the highest binding affinity for C₇₀ reported so far for zinc(II) bisporphyrinic receptors. This high selectivity for the binding of C₇₀ versus C₆₀ allows the easy extraction and efficient isolation of C₇₀ from a C₆₀/C₇₀ fullerene mixture. Experimental evidence was substantiated by DFT calculations.     

The solubility of light fullerenes in styrene over the temperature range 20–80°C

The temperature dependence (over the range 20–80°C) of the solubility of light fullerenes (C₆₀ and C₇₀) and a mixture of fullerenes (60 wt % C₆₀, 39 wt % C₇₀, and 1 wt % C_76–90) in styrene was studied. The corresponding solubility polytherms are given and characterized.     

Polythermal study of the solubility of fullerenes in pelargonic and caprylic acids

A polythermal study of the solubility of C₆₀ and a fullerene mixture (60% C₆₀ + 39% C₇₀ + 1% C₇₆–C₉₀) in pelargonic and caprylic acids was carried out at 20–80°C. The solubility polytherms are given and discussed.     

Recrystallization-induced defect porous nature of C60 crystals

Defective state of C₆₀ crystals was controlled by the recrystallization and annealing. The defective structure was examined by the X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption at 77 K. Recrystallized C₆₀ crystals without annealing showed broad diffraction peaks and the N₂ adsorption isotherm had marked low pressure uptake and a hysteresis in the high pressure region, indicating presence of both micropores and mesopores. The average micropore width was 8 Å which is closed to the C₆₀ molecular size, while the average mesopore one was 50 Å. The mesopores disappeared by annealing up to 393 K. On the other hand micropores of 8 Å remained even by heating up to 673 K.     

Solubility of fullerenes in n-alkanoic acids C2–C9

The solubility of fullerene C₆₀ and a fullerene mixture [C₆₀ (75%), C₇₀ (24%), C_76–80 (1%)] in linear alkanoic acids (C₂–C₉) was determined at 20°C. The solubilities of C₆₀ and a fullerene mixture in carboxylic acids were examined in relation to the number of carbon atoms in the carboxylic acid.     

A blue-green-emitting 3D supramolecular compound: synthesis,crystal structure and effect of solvents and temperature on the luminescent properties

A blue-green-emitting three-dimensional supramolecular compound (C₁₀O₂N₂H₈)(C₉O₇H₆) (1) was synthesised under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterised by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, ¹H NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to triclinic system with P 1¯ space group. The crystal structure is stabilised by O–H…O, O–H…N hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions (π–π stacking distance is 3.282 Å). Compound 1 exhibits intense green luminescence in solid state at 298 K (λ_em = 546 nm). In addition, absorption and fluorescence characteristics of compound 1 have been investigated in different solvents (DMSO, CH₃CN and CH₃OH). The results show that compound 1 exhibits a large red shift in both absorption and emission spectra as solvent polarity increases (polarity: DMSO>CH₃CN>CH₃OH), indicating a change in dipole moment of compound 1 upon excitation. Although the emission spectra of compound 1 in CH₃OH are close to it in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), it is revealed that the luminescence behaviour of compound 1 depends not only on the polarity of environment but also on the hydrogen bonding properties of the solvent. Meanwhile, temperature strongly affects the emission spectra of compound 1. Emission peaks of compound 1 were blue shift at 77 K than those at 298 K in both solid state (ca. 142 nm) and solution (ca. 6–23 nm), which was due to the non-radiative transition decreases at low temperature. Moreover, the quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime of compound 1 were also measured, which increased with increasing polarity of solvent, lifetime in DMSO at 298 K (τ₁ = 0.92 μs, τ₂ = 8.71 μs) was the longest one in solvents (298 K: τ₁ = 0.87–0.92 μs, τ₂ = 7.50–8.71 μs; 77 K: τ₁ = 0.72–0.90 μs, τ₂ = 6.88–7.45 μs), which was also shorter than that in solid state (298 K: τ₁ = 1.13 μs, τ₂ = 7.50 μs; 77 K: τ₁ = 0.97 μs, τ₂ = 8.97 μs). This was probably because of the weak polarity environment of compound 1 in solid state.     

Direct and Highly Selective Conversion of Synthesis Gas into Lower Olefins: Design of a Bifunctional Catalyst Combining Methanol Synthesis and Carbon–Carbon Coupling

The direct synthesis of lower (C₂ to C₄) olefins, key building‐block chemicals, from syngas (H₂ /CO), which can be derived from various nonpetroleum carbon resources, is highly attractive, but the selectivity for lower olefins is low because of the limitation of the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. We report that the coupling of methanol‐synthesis and methanol‐to‐olefins reactions with a bifunctional catalyst can realize the direct conversion of syngas to lower olefins with exceptionally high selectivity. We demonstrate that the choice of two active components and the integration manner of the components are crucial to lower olefin selectivity. The combination of a Zr–Zn binary oxide, which alone shows higher selectivity for methanol and dimethyl ether even at 673 K, and SAPO‐34 with decreased acidity offers around 70 % selectivity for C₂–C₄ olefins at about 10 % CO conversion. The micro‐ to nanoscale proximity of the components favors the lower olefin selectivity.     

Thermodynamic properties of the molecular complexes of C<Subscript>60</Subscript>with monosubstituted naphthalenes

Summary The binary systems of C₆₀with α-methyl- and α-chloronaphthalene have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry. C₆₀was found to form the molecular complex of the van der Waals type with α-methylnaphthalene which melts incongruently below the boiling point of the solvent at temperature 382.7±3.0 K. The enthalpy of the desolvation reaction is 14.1±0.5 kJ mol^-1of C₆₀. The molar ratio of fullerene to solvent in the solvate is 1:1.5. In the system C₆₀-α-chloronaphthalene a two-stage incongruent melting process has been observed at temperatures 314.1±4.6 K and 375.7±7.4 K with the enthalpies 8.1±2.6 kJ mol^-1and 11.6±1.0 kJ mol^-1, respectively. The composition of the most solvated phase equilibrated with the saturated solution at room temperature and below the first of the incongruent melting transitions was determined as 1:1.5. Based on the results obtained the thermodynamic characteristics of the incongruent melting reactions have been revealed and influence of solvate formation on solubility of C₆₀has been discussed.