High‐performing random terpolymer‐based nonfullerene polymer solar cells fabricated using solvent additive‐free as‐cast blend films

Two new random terpolymers containing 4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) as a donating unit, methyl‐3‐thiophenecarboxylate (3MT) as a weak accepting unit, and the more electron‐deficient benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTz) or 5,5′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H,4′H‐1,1′‐bithieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,4′,6,6′(5H,5′H)‐tetraone (BiTPD) unit as a third monomer (respectively yielding 3MTB and 3MTT ) were synthesized in order to achieve improved physical and optoelectronic properties relative to the 3MT‐Th copolymer bearing only BDT and 3MT. The UV–vis absorption spectra and optical bandgap energies of these terpolymers were broader and smaller than those of the 3MT‐Th copolymer. In thin films, the terpolymers displayed the face‐on polymer chain orientation, indicating that the BTz or BiTPD unit in the terpolymer backbones did not affect the molecular arrangement on the substrate. In comparison with 3MT‐Th ‐based polymer solar cells (PSCs) as control devices, the PSCs employing blend films of these terpolymers as the donor and 2,2′‐[[6,6,12,12‐Tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐6,12‐dihydrodithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐2,8‐diyl]bis[methylidyne(3‐oxo‐1H‐indene‐2,1(3H)‐diylidene)]]bis[propanedinitrile] (ITIC) as the acceptor exhibited higher power conversion efficiencies (>8.0%) for the same device configuration. In addition, the 3MTB‐ and 3MTT‐ based PSC devices displayed excellent shelf‐life even after aging for over 1000 h. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1528–1535     

New copolymers with thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene or dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene units possessing electron‐withdrawing 4‐cyanophenyl groups: Synthesis and photophysical,electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties

New monomers containing 4‐cyanophenyl (–PhCN) groups attached to a thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) or dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene (DTT) structure were synthesized and characterized as 4‐(2,5‐dibromothieno[3,2‐b]thiophen‐3‐yl)benzonitrile (Br–TT–PhCN) or 4,4′‐(2,6‐dibromodithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene‐3,5‐diyl)dibenzonitrile (Br–DTT–PhCN). The Suzuki coupling of 9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diboronic acid bis(1,3‐propanediol)ester and the Br–TT–PhCN or Br–DTT–PhCN monomer was utilized for the syntheses of novel copolymers poly{9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐3‐(4′‐cyanophenyl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐2,5‐diyl} (PFTT–PhCN) and poly{9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐3,5‐bis(4′‐cyanophenyl)dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophene‐2,6‐diyl} (PFDTT–PhCN), respectively. The photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent (EL) properties of these novel copolymers were studied. Their photoluminescence (PL) exhibited the same emission maximum for both copolymers in solution. Red‐shifted PL emissions were observed in the thin films. The PL emission maximum of PFTT–PhCN was more significantly redshifted than that of PFDTT–PhCN, indicating more pronounced excimer or aggregate formation in PFTT–PhCN. The ionization potential (HOMO level) and electron affinity (LUMO level) values were 5.54 and 2.81 eV, respectively, for PFTT–PhCN and were 5.57 and 2.92 eV, respectively, for PFDTT–PhCN. Polymer light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with copolymer active layers were fabricated and studied. Anomalous behavior and memory effects were observed from the current–voltage characteristics of the LEDs for both copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2629–2638     

One donor–two acceptor (D–A1)‐(D–A2) random terpolymers containing perylene diimide,naphthalene diimide,and carbazole units

A series of one donor–two acceptor (D–A₁)‐(D–A₂) random terpolymers containing a 2,7‐carbazole donor and varying compositions of perylene diimide (PDI) and naphthalene diimide (NDI) acceptors was synthesized via Suzuki coupling polymerization. The optical properties of the terpolymers are weighted sums of the constituent parent copolymers and all show strong absorption over the 400 to 700 nm range with optical bandgaps ranging from 1.77 to 1.87 eV, depending on acceptor composition. The copolymers were tested as acceptor materials in bulk heterojunction all‐polymer solar cells using poly[(4,8‐bis‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene)‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4‐(2‐ethylhexanoyl)‐thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene)‐2,6‐diyl] (PBDTTT‐C) as the donor material. In contrast to the optoelectronic properties, the measured device parameters are not composition dependent, and rather depend solely on the presence of the NDI unit, where the devices containing any amount of NDI perform half as well as those using the parent polymer containing only carbazole and PDI. Overall this is the first example of a one donor–two acceptor random terpolymer system containing perylene diimide (PDI) and naphthalene diimide (NDI) acceptor units, and demonstrates a facile method of tuning polymer optoelectronic properties while minimizing the need for complicated synthetic and purification steps. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3337–3345     

High speeds complementary integrated circuits fabricated with all‐printed polymeric semiconductors

Inkjet‐printed high speed polymeric complementary circuits are fabricated using an n‐type ([poly{[N,N′‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis(dicarboximide)‐2,6‐diyl]‐alt‐5,5′‐(2,2′‐dithiophene)} [P(NDI2OD‐T2), Polyera ActivInk N2200] and two p‐type polymers [poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a dithiophene‐based polymer (Polyera ActivInk P2100)]. The top‐gate/bottom‐contact (TG/BC) organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) exhibit well‐balanced and very‐high hole and electron mobilities (μ_FET) of 0.2–0.5 cm²/Vs, which were enabled by optimization of the inkjet‐printed active features, small contact resistance both of electron and hole injections, and effective control over gate dielectrics and its orthogonal solvent effect (selection of poly(methyl methacrylate) and 2‐ethoxyethanol). Our first demonstrated inkjet‐printed polymeric complementary devices have been integrated to high‐performance complementary inverters (gain >30) and ring oscillators (oscillation frequency ～50 kHz). We believe that the operating frequency of printable organic circuits can be further improved more than 10 MHz by fine‐tuning of the device architecture and optimization of the p‐ and n‐channel semiconductor processing. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010     

Low‐bandgap quinoxaline‐based D–A‐type copolymers: Synthesis,characterization, and photovoltaic properties

Three classes of quinoxaline (Qx)‐based donor–acceptor (D–A)‐type copolymers, poly[thiophene‐2,5‐diyl‐alt‐2,3‐bis(4‐(octyloxy)phenyl‐quinoxaline‐5,8‐diyl] P(T‐Qx), poly{4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐2,3‐bis(4‐(octyloxy)phenyl‐quinoxaline‐5,8‐diy} P(BDT‐Qx), and poly{4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(5′,8′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2,3‐bis(4‐octyloxyl)phenyl)‐quinoxaline‐5,5‐diyl} P(BDT‐DTQx), were synthesized via a Stille coupling reaction. The Qx unit was functionalized at the 2‐ and 3‐positions with 4‐(octyloxy)phenyl to provide good solubility and to reduce the steric hindrance. The absorption spectra of the Qx‐containing copolymers could be tuned by incorporating three different electron‐donating moieties. Among these, P(T‐Qx) acted as an electron donor and yielded a high‐performance solar cell by assuming a rigid planar structure, confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, UV–vis spectrophotometer, and density functional theory study. In contrast, the P(BDT‐Qx)‐based solar cell displayed a lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) with a large torsional angle (34.7°) between the BDT and Qx units. The BDT unit in the P(BDT‐DTQx) backbone acted as a linker and interfered with the formation of charge complexes or quinoidal electronic conformations in a polymer chain. The PCEs of the polymer solar cells based on these copolymers, in combination with [6,6]‐phenyl C70 butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM), were 3.3% [P(T‐Qx)], 1.9% [P(BDT‐Qx)], and 2.3% [P(BDT‐DTQx)], respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination (100 mW cm^?2). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of cyclopentadithiophene‐based low bandgap copolymers containing electron‐deficient benzoselenadiazole derivatives for photovoltaic devices

We have synthesized two cyclopentadithiophene (CDT)‐based low bandgap copolymers, poly[(4,4‐bis(2‐ethyl‐hexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole‐4,7‐diyl)] (PCBSe) and poly[(4,4‐bis(2‐ethyl‐hexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(4,7‐dithiophen‐2‐yl‐benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] (PCT2BSe), for use in photovoltaic applications. Through the internal charge transfer interaction between the electron‐donating CDT unit and the electron‐accepting benzoselenadiazole, we realized exceedingly low bandgap polymers with bandgaps of 1.37–1.46 eV. The UV–vis absorption maxima of PCT2BSe were subjected to larger hypsochromic shifts than those of PCBSe, because of the distorted electron donor–acceptor (D–A) structures of the PCT2BSe backbone. These results were supported by the calculations of the D–A complex using the ab initio Hartree‐Fock method with a split‐valence 6‐31G* basis set. However, PCT2BSe exhibited a better molar absorption coefficient in the visible region, which can lead to more efficient absorption of sunlight. As a result, PCT2BSe blended with [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) exhibited a better photovoltaic performance than PCBSe because of the larger spectral overlap integral with respect to the solar spectrum. Furthermore, when the polymers were blended with PC₇₁BM, PCT2BSe showed the best performance, with an open circuit voltage of 0.55 V, a short‐circuit current of 6.63 mA/cm², and a power conversion efficiency of 1.34% under air mass 1.5 global illumination conditions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1423–1432, 2010     

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Cyclopentadithiophene‐Based Low‐Bandgap Copolymers That Contain Electron‐Withdrawing Thiazole Derivatives

We have synthesized four types of cyclopentadithiophene (CDT)‐based low‐bandgap copolymers, poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] ( PehCDT‐BT ), poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐(2,2′‐bithiazole‐5,5′‐diyl)] ( PocCDT‐BT ), poly[{4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl}‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] ( PehCDT‐TZ ), and poly[(4,4‐dioctyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl)‐alt‐{2,5‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole‐5,5′‐diyl}] ( PocCDT‐TZ ), for use in photovoltaic applications. The intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction between the electron‐sufficient CDT unit and electron‐deficient bithiazole (BT) or thiazolothiazole (TZ) units in the polymeric backbone induced a low bandgap and broad absorption that covered 300 nm to 700–800 nm. The optical bandgap was measured to be around 1.9 eV for PehCDT‐BT and PocCDT‐BT , and around 1.8 eV for PehCDT‐TZ and PocCDT‐TZ . Gel permeation chromatography showed that number‐average molecular weights ranged from 8000 to 14 000 g mol^?1. Field‐effect mobility measurements showed hole mobility of 10^?6–10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for the copolymers. The film morphology of the bulk heterojunction mixtures with [6,6]phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was also examined by atomic force microscopy before and after heat treatment. When the polymers were blended with PCBM, PehCDT‐TZ exhibited the best performance with an open circuit voltage of 0.69 V, short‐circuit current of 7.14 mA cm^?2, and power conversion efficiency of 2.23 % under air mass (AM) 1.5 global (1.5 G) illumination conditions (100 mW cm^?2).     

Utility of Pyridine‐2(1H)‐thiones in the Synthesis of Novel Bis‐Thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines and Their Fused Azines

The starting materials pyridine‐2(1H)‐thiones are prepared and reacted with halogen‐containing reagents in ethanolic sodium acetate solution to give the corresponding 2‐S‐alkylpyridines, which cyclized upon their boiling in methanolic sodium methoxide solution at reflux to give the corresponding thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines in excellent yields. Bis (thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxamides), incorporating 2,6‐dibromophenoxy moiety, are prepared by the bis‐O‐alkylation of thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxamide derivatives. Two synthetic routes are designed to prepare the target molecules pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones, pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐d][1,2,3]triazin‐4(3H)‐ones, and their bis‐analogues using thieno[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2‐carboxamides and their bis‐analogues. The structure of the target molecules is elucidated using elemental analyses as well as spectral data.     

Optimized domain size and enlarged D/A interface by tuning intermolecular interaction in all‐polymer ternary solar cells

The selection of sensitizer and its existence in the blend films are important to the performance of all‐polymer ternary solar cells. Herein, all‐polymer ternary solar cell devices, which used poly[4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′] dithiophene‐alt‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐2‐carboxy‐late] (PTB7‐Th) as donor, poly[[N,N‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐napthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis(dicarboximide)?2,6‐diyl]‐alt‐5, 5′‐(2,2′‐bithiophene)] (N2200) as acceptor and poly[N?900‐hepta‐decanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5‐(40,70‐di‐2‐thienyl‐20,10,30‐benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) as sensitizer, are successfully demonstrated. The intermolecular interaction between donor PTB7‐Th and sensitizer PCDTBT may lead to aggregation of PTB7‐Th which decreases domain sizes and enlarges D/A effective interface area. In addition, the PCDTBT molecules also extend light absorption and cascaded energy levels of the ternary blend system. As a result, with 15% PCDTBT we get a power conversion efficiency of 5.11%, almost 20% higher than control device due to more favored exciton dissociation and higher charge transport efficiency. This study reveals a promising way to achieve high efficiency all‐polymer solar cells using a low‐band gap polymer PCDTBT. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1811–1819     

Dithienobenzimidazole‐containing conjugated donor–acceptor polymers: Synthesis and characterization

The synthesis of two new conjugated polymers based on the relatively under‐exploited monomer, 5,8‐dibromo‐2‐[5‐(2‐hexyldecyl)‐2‐thienyl]‐1H‐dithieno[3,2‐e:2′,3′‐g]benzimidazole (dithienobenzimidazole, DTBI ), and either 4,7‐bis[4‐hexyl‐5‐(trimethylstannyl)‐2‐thienyl]‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole ( BTD ) or 2,6‐bis(trimethylstannyl)‐4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl) thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene ( BDT ) is described. The polymers were synthesized via Stille polycondensation and characterized by traditional methods (¹H NMR, gel‐permeation chromatography, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and cyclic voltammetry). Prior to their synthesis, trimer structures were modeled by DFT calculations facilitating a further understanding of the systems' electronic and geometric structure. Polymers were titrated with acid and base to take advantage of their amphiprotic imidazole moiety and their optical response monitored with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Finally, pristine polymer thin‐films were treated with acid and base to evaluate (de)protonation's effect on system electronics, but thin‐film degradation was encountered. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 60–69     

Synthesis and properties of sulfonated polyimides from homologous sulfonated diamines bearing bis(aminophenoxyphenyl)sulfone

Three homologous sulfonated diamines bearing a bis(aminophenoxyphenyl)sulfone structure, namely, bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone‐3,3′‐disulfonic acid (pBAPPS‐3DS), bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid (pBAPPS‐2DS), and bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐2‐(3‐sulfobenzoyl)phenyl]sulfone (pBAPPS‐2DSB), were synthesized. A series of sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were synthesized from 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, these sulfonated diamines, and nonsulfonated diamines, and their properties were investigated in comparison with those reported for the SPIs from another homologous diamine or bis[4‐(3‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone‐3,3′‐disulfonic acid (mBAPPS‐3DS). These SPIs were soluble in common aprotic solvents and showed reasonably high proton conductivity, except for pBAPPS‐2DS‐based SPIs, the conductivity of which was slightly lower because of the lower water uptake. The water stability of these SPIs considerably depended on the structure of the sulfonated diamines and was in the order of pBAPPS‐2DSB ≈ pBAPPS‐2DS > pBAPPS‐3DS ? mBAPPS‐3DS. Their water stability was much lower than that of the SPIs from 4,4′‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)biphenyl‐3,3′‐disulfonic acid. The reason was discussed on the basis of the basicity of the sulfonated diamine and the solubility property of the SPIs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2797–2811, 2007     

Enhancement of the Photovoltaic Performance of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells through a Dichlorobenzene‐Functionalized Hole‐Transporting Material

A dichlorobenzene‐functionalized hole‐transporting material (HTM) is developed for a CH₃NH₃PbI₃‐based perovskite solar cell. Notwithstanding the similarity of the frontier molecular orbital energy levels, optical properties, and hole mobility between the functionalized HTM [a polymer composed of 2′‐butyloctyl‐4,6‐dibromo‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐2‐carboxylate (TT‐BO), 3′,4′‐dichlorobenzyl‐4,6‐dibromo‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐2‐carboxylate (TT‐DCB), and 2,6‐bis(trimethyltin)‐4,8‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT‐EH), denoted PTB‐DCB21] and the nonfunctionalized polymer [a polymer composed of thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene (TT) and benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT), denoted PTB‐BO], a higher power conversion efficiency for PTB‐DCB21 (8.7 %) than that for PTB‐BO (7.4 %) is achieved because of a higher photocurrent and voltage. The high efficiency is even obtained without including additives, such as lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and/or 4‐tert‐butylpyridine, that are commonly used to improve the conductivity of the HTM. Transient photocurrent–voltage studies show that the PTB‐DCB21‐based device exhibits faster electron transport and slower charge recombination; this might be related to better interfacial contact through intermolecular chemical interactions between the perovskite and the 3,4‐dichlorobenzyl group in PTB‐DCB21.     

Ru catalyzed cyclodimerization of bis(2‐thienyl)acetylene and bis(3‐thienyl)acetylene. Synthesis properties of 4,5,6‐tris(2‐thienyl)benzo(b)thiophene and 5,6,7‐tris(3‐thienyl)benzo[b]thiophene

Activated dihydridocarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium catalyzes the cyclodimerization of both bis(2‐thienyl)acetylene and bis(3‐thienyl)acetylene to yield, respectively, 4,5,6‐tris(2′‐thienyl)‐benzo[b]thiophene and 5,6,7‐tris(3′‐thienyl)benzo[b]thiophene. These fluoresce in the blue. Both undergo irreversible one electron oxidation at & sim1.1 mV versus Ag/Ag⁺ electrode, consistent with oxidation of the benzo[b]thiophene nuclei rather than the substituent thiophene rings.     

A Theoretical Investigation into the Luminescent Properties of d8‐Transition‐Metal Complexes with Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligands

A theoretical investigation on the luminescence efficiency of a series of d⁸ transition‐metal Schiff base complexes was undertaken. The aim was to understand the different photophysics of [M‐salen]ⁿ complexes (salen=N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine; M=Pt, Pd (n=0); Au (n=+1)) in acetonitrile solutions at room temperature: [Pt‐salen] is phosphorescent and [Au‐salen]⁺ is fluorescent, but [Pd‐salen] is nonemissive. Based on the calculation results, it was proposed that incorporation of electron‐withdrawing groups at the 4‐position of the Schiff base ligand should widen the ³MLCT–³MC gap (MLCT=metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer and MC=metal centered, that is, the dd excited state); thus permitting phosphorescence of the corresponding Pd^II Schiff base complex. Although it is experimentally proven that [Pd‐salph‐4E] (salph=N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine; 4E means an electron‐withdrawing substituent at the 4‐position of the salicylidene) displays triplet emission, its quantum yield is low at room temperature. The corresponding Pt^II Schiff base complex, [Pt‐salph‐4E], is also much less emissive than the unsubstituted analogue, [Pt‐salph]. Thus, a detailed theoretical analysis of how the substituent and central metal affected the photophysics of [M‐salph‐X] (X is a substituent on the salph ligand, M=Pt or Pd) was performed. Temperature effects were also investigated. The simple energy gap law underestimated the nonradiative decay rates and was insufficient to account for the temperature dependence of the nonradiative decay rates of the complexes studied herein. On the other hand, the present analysis demonstrates that inclusions of low‐frequency modes and the associated frequency shifts are decisive in providing better quantitative estimates of the nonradiative decay rates and the experimentally observed temperature effects. Moreover, spin–orbit coupling, which is often considered only in the context of radiative decay rate, has a significant role in determining the nonradiative rate as well.     

Improved EL efficiency of fluorene‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐based conjugated copolymers with hole‐transporting or electron‐transporting units in the main chain

New electroluminescent polymers (poly(9,9′‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐co‐benzo[2,3,5]thiadiazole) ( P1) and poly(9,9′‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐co‐benzo[2,3,5]thiadiazole‐co‐[4‐(2‐ethylhexyloxyl)phenyl]diphenylamine ( P2) ) possess hole‐transporting or electron‐transporting units or both in the main chains. Electron‐deficient benzothiadiazole and electron‐rich triphenylamine moieties were incorporated into the polymer backbone to improve the electron‐transporting and hole‐transporting characteristics, respectively. P1 and P2 show greater solubility than poly(9,9′‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene ( PFTT ), without sacrificing their good thermal stability. Moreover, owing to the incorporation of the electron‐deficient benzothiadiazole unit, P1 and P2 exhibit remarkably lower LUMO levels than PFTT , and thus, it should facilitate the electron injection into the polymer layer from the cathode electrode. Consequently, because of the balance of charge mobility, LED devices based on P1 and P2 exhibit greater brightness and efficiency (up to 3000 cd/m² and 1.35 cd/A) than devices that use the pristine PFTT . © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 243–253, 2006     

Kinetic and mechanistic investigation into the influence of chelate substituents on the substitution reactions of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes

The substitution kinetics of the complexes [Pt{4′‐(o‐CH₃‐Ph)‐terpy} Cl]SbF₆ (CH₃PhPtCl(Sb)), [Pt{4′‐(o‐CH₃‐Ph)‐terpy}Cl]CF₃SO₃ (CH₃PhPtCl(CF)), [Pt(4′‐Ph‐terpy)Cl]SbF₆ (PhPtCl), [Pt(terpy)Cl]Cl·2H₂O (PtCl), [Pt{4′‐(o‐Cl‐Ph)‐terpy}Cl]SbF₆ (ClPhPtCl), and [Pt{4′‐(o‐CF₃‐Ph)‐terpy}Cl]SbF₆ (CF₃PhPtCl), where terpy is 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, with the nucleophiles thiourea (TU), N,N′‐dimethylthiourea (DMTU), and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) were investigated in methanol as a solvent. The substitution reactions of the chloride displacement from the metal complexes by the nucleophiles were investigated as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature under pseudo‐first‐order conditions using the stopped‐flow technique. The reactions followed the simple rate law k_obs = k₂[Nu]. The results indicate that the introduction of substituents in the ortho position of the phenyl group on the ancillary ring of the terpy unit does influence the extent of π‐backbonding in the terpy ring. This controls the electrophilicity of the platinum center, which in turn controls the lability of the chloro‐leaving group. The strength of the electron‐donating or ‐withdrawing ability of the substituents correlates with the reactivity of the complexes. Electron‐donating substituents decrease the rate of substitution, whereas electron‐withdrawing substituents increase the rate of substitution. This was supported by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/LACVP+** level of theory, which showed that most of the electron density of the HOMO is concentrated on the phenyl ligand rather than on the metal center in the case of the strongest electron‐withdrawing substituent in CF₃PhPtCl. The opposite was found to be true with the strongest electron‐donating substituent in CH₃PhPtCl. Thiourea was found to be the best nucleophile with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylthiourea being the weakest due to steric effects. The temperature dependence studies support an associative mode of activation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 808–818, 2008     

New positive‐type photosensitive polymer based on poly(2,6‐dihydroxy‐1,5‐naphthylene) and diazonaphthoquinone

A positive working photosensitive polymer based on poly(2,6‐dihydroxy‐1,5‐naphthylene) (PDHN) with 1‐(1,1‐bis{4‐[2‐diazo‐1(2H)naphthalene‐5‐sulfonyloxy]phenyl}ethyl)‐4‐(1‐{4‐[2‐diazo‐1(2H)naphthalene‐5‐sulfonyloxy]phenyl}methylethyl) benzene (S‐DNQ) as a photosensitive compound has been developed. PDHN (number‐average molecular weight: 13,000; polydispersity index: 1.9) was prepared by oxidative coupling polymerization of the 2,6‐dihydroxynaphthalene‐benzylamine complex using iron(III) chloride hexahydrate in the solid state. A 10 wt % loss temperature of PDHN was 450 °C in air, and the film of 1 μm thickness showed excellent transparency above 400 nm. The resist system consisting of PDHN and S‐DNQ gave a clear positive pattern when it was exposed to 436 nm of light, followed by development with a 0.50 wt % aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution at 25 °C. The sensitivity (D) and contrast (γ) were 300 mJ/cm² and 2.1, respectively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 393–398, 2002     

Medium band gap conjugated polymers from thienoacene derivatives and pentacyclic aromatic lactam as promising alternatives of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in photovoltaic application

Two alternating medium band gap conjugated polymers (PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI) derived from 4,8‐bis(4,5‐dioctylthien‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT‐T) or 5,10‐bis(4,5‐didecylthien‐2‐yl)dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (DTBDT‐T) with pentacyclic aromatic lactam of N,N‐didodecylthieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrido[3,4‐g]thieno[3,2‐c]‐iso‐quinoline‐5,11‐dione (TPTI), are synthesized and characterized. The comparative investigation of the photostabilities of the copolymers revealed that the PDTBDT‐TPTI film exhibited the comparable photostability in relative to P3HT. Meanwhile, the inverted photovoltaic cells (i‐PVCs) from the blend films of PBDT‐TPTI and/or PDTBDT‐TPTI with PC₇₁BM, in which poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)] were used as cathode modifying interlayer, presented higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.98% and 6.05% with photocurrent response ranging from 300 nm to 650 nm in contrast with the PCEs of 4.48% for the optimal inverted PVCs from P3HT/PC₇₁BM under AM 1.5 G 100 mW/cm². The PCEs of the i‐PVCs from PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI were improved to 7.58% and 6.91% in contrast to that of 0.02% for the P3HT‐based i‐PVCs, and the photocurrent responses of the devices were extended to 300–792 nm, when the ITIC was used as electron acceptor materials. The results indicate that the PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI can be used as the promising alternatives of notable P3HT in the photovoltaic application. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 85–95     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Some Novel Imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole Derivatives

Synthesis of bis‐1,3‐{6′‐arylimidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐yl}‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane ( 3 ), bis‐1,3‐{thiadiazolo[2′,3′:2,1]imidazo[4,5‐b]quinoxalinyl}‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane ( 5 ) has been achieved by the reaction of bis‐(5′‐amino‐1′,3′,4′‐thiadiazolyl)‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane with α‐haloketones, 2,3‐dichloroquinoxaline respectively. Bromination of compound 3 furnished bis‐1,3‐{5′‐bromo‐6′‐arylimidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐yl}‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane ( 4 ). The structural assignment of these compounds was supported by IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis data. The antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory and antifungal activities of some of the compounds have also been evaluated.     

Morphological study of an intrinsically stretchable photovoltaic bulk heterojunction

Thin‐film polymer solar cell consisting of [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) and poly[[4,8‐bis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl][3‐fluoro‐2‐[(2‐ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4‐b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7) demonstrates elastic stretchability with the aid of a high boiling point additive, 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO). The usage of DIO not only helps to form uniformly distributed nanocrystalline grains, but may also create free volumes between the nano‐grains that allow for relative sliding between the nano‐grains. The relative sliding can accommodate large external deformation. Large dichroic ratios of the optical absorption of both PC₇₁BM and PTB7 were observed under large‐strain deformation, indicating reorientation of the nanocrystalline PC₇₁BM and PTB7 polymer chains along stretching direction. The dichroic ratio decreases to nearly 1.0 as the blend was relaxed to 0% strain. Therefore, the nanometer‐size grain blending morphology provides an approach to impart stretchability to organic semiconductors that are otherwise un‐stretchable. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 814–820