Dye molecular structure device open-circuit voltage correlation in Ru(II) sensitizers with heteroleptic tridentate chelates for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dicarboxyterpyridine chelates with π-conjugated pendant groups attached at the 5- or 6-position of the terminal pyridyl unit were synthesized. Together with 2,6-bis(5-pyrazolyl)pyridine, these were used successfully to prepare a series of novel heteroleptic, bis-tridentate Ru(II) sensitizers, denoted as TF-11-14. These dyes show excellent performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) under AM1.5G simulated sunlight at a light intensity of 100 mW cm(-2) in comparison with a reference device containing [Ru(Htctpy)(NCS)(3)][TBA](3) (N749), where H(3)tctpy and TBA are 4,4',4"-tricarboxy-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine and tetra-n-butylammonium cation, respectively. In particular, the sensitizer TF-12 gave a short-circuit photocurrent of 19.0 mA cm(-2), an open-circuit voltage (V(OC)) of 0.71 V, and a fill factor of 0.68, affording an overall conversion efficiency of 9.21%. The increased conjugation conferred to the TF dyes by the addition of the π-conjugated pendant groups increases both their light-harvesting and photovoltaic energy conversion capability in comparison with N749. Detailed recombination processes in these devices were probed by various spectroscopic and dynamics measurements, and a clear correlation between the device V(OC) and the cell electron lifetime was established. In agreement with several other recent studies, the results demonstrate that high efficiencies can also be achieved with Ru(II) sensitizers that do not contain thiocyanate ancillaries. This bis-tridentate, dual-carboxy anchor configuration thus serves as a prototype for future omnibearing design of highly efficient Ru(II) sensitizers suited for use in DSCs.     

电场极化调控聚(3-己基噻吩)薄膜润湿性

本文首次采用电场极化技术精确控制共轭聚合物P₃HT薄膜表面的润湿性,通过调节极化条件,成功实现了对P₃HT薄膜表面润湿性的精确控制,薄膜表面水接触角可以实现从疏水性到亲水性的转变.通过光谱学、形貌学及接触角等表征手段,详细研究了电场极化作用下共轭聚合物分子取向聚集形态及作用机理.该工作不但扩展了共轭聚合物薄膜材料的应用范围,也为分子形态学的研究奠定了基础.     

Charge carrier transport in poly[methyl(phenyl)silylene]: the effect of additives

Poly[methyl(phenyl)silylene], PMPSi, was doped with compounds of the electron acceptor type. The charge carrier mobility increases with increasing electron affinity of the acceptors having zero dipole moments. At the same time the energy distribution of hopping states narrows. On the other hand, the hole drift mobility is influenced by the dipole moment of the dopand. The electrostatic charge carrier‐dipole interaction causes a broadening of the energy distribution of transport states which results in a decrease in the charge carrier mobility. The charge carrier transport can be explained by the disordered polaronic theory, according to which the activation energy of charge carrier mobility has contributions based on the dynamic disorder, i.e. the polaronic barrier, and on the static disorder, i.e. the variation of the energy of transport states as a result of the environment. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organometallic hydrides as reactants in fullerene chemistry. Interaction of C60 and C70 fullerenes with HIr(CO)(PPh3)3

The iridium hydride complex HIr(CO)(PPh₃)₃ reacts with fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ yielding (²-C_n)IrH(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (n = 60, 70) complexes. Their composition, configuration, and the position of the double bond coordinated with the metal atom in the fullerene moiety have been established by IR studies (comparison with deuterated analogs), and¹H and³¹P NMR spectroscopy.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1661–1665, September, 1994.The present work was financialy supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-09-18725) and the International Science Foundation (Project No. MNR 000).     

Tuning the thermochromism of water-soluble poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid) conjugated polymer by complexation with zwitterionic polymer

The spectral properties and phase behavior of the complexes of the water-soluble poly(3-thiopheneacetic acid) (P3TAA) conjugated polymer with zwitterionic 3-dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfone (PDMAPS) polymer were explored. A dramatic change in both electronic spectra and upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of P3TAA-PDMAPS complex solution was observed depending on the molar ratio of P3TAA and PDMAPS, suggesting that a conformational transition due to complexation occurred. The UV–vis λ_max of P3TAA-PDMAPS complex solutions was changed dramatically in a narrow temperature range around a UCST and found to be varied over approximately a 40 nm range by the temperature change of about 20 °C.     

Effect of side-chain length on charge mobilities in neutral poly(3-alkylthiophene)s: Determination from dielectric measurement

For neutral poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3ATs), the electric modulus formalism of dielectric relaxation measurement together with the use of nonexponential decay function can be applied to describe the behavior of conductivity relaxation and carrier transport. The charge mobilities of neutral P3ATs calculated from conductivity relaxation with the use of the defect-diffusion model are in agreement with the data from field-effect transistor measurement. The temperature dependence of charge mobility exhibits a local maximum right after the end of glass transition region, which can be attributed to the transition of soft conformons in the disordered phase to localized conformons. The charge mobilities and activation energies of mobilities for P3ATs are dependent on conjugation length and volume fraction of conducting units. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Arrangement of fullerene above the poly(methyl methacrylate) surface with fluoroalkyl end-capped N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)acrylamide polymers

Fluoroalkyl end-capped N-(1,1-dimethyl-3-oxobutyl)acrylamide polymers were found to be a convenient tool for the arrangements of fullerenes above the poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] surface, and the higher fluorescent intensity of fullerene was obtained in the modified PMMA surface, although the reverse side of this modified film surface afforded an extremely weak fluorescent intensity.     

Photo-oxidation and ozonization of poly(3-hexylthiophene) thin films as studied by UV/VIS and photoelectron spectroscopy

The kinetics and the mechanisms of degradation of thin P3HT layers have been investigated quantitatively for ozonization and photo-oxidation. Both, decay kinetics and product evolution of the polymer degradation are monitored by in situ UV/VIS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The degradation pathways of ozonization and photo-oxidation of P3HT turn out to be significantly different. Ozone attacks the thiophene units mainly by direct addition to the double bonds, leading to the loss of UV/VIS absorption, while the aliphatic side chains [1] are hardly affected. During photo-oxidation, the polymer is primarily attacked at the alkyl side chain which leads to the formation of reactive peroxide species. These subsequently cause the oxidation of sulfur and concomitantly the destruction of the thiophene ring, resulting in the loss of absorption. From the kinetics of the blue shift of the optical absorption it is concluded that the polymer is mainly attacked at the terminal thiophene rings the case of photo-oxidation whereas ozone attacks positions more or less randomly distributed along the chain. The rate of photo-oxidation under AM 1.5 conditions is at least one order of magnitude faster than the decomposition of P3HT by ozone.     

Interaction between Na+ and polymer in aqueous solution of sodium salts of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) studied by 23Na-NMR

The interaction between Na⁺ and polymer was studied by ²³Na-NMR for the aqueous solution of P(HEMA-co-MAANa), sodium salt of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), as a function of the polymer concentration, charge density of the polymer chain, and temperature. The NMR line width of ²³Na-NMR in 1% (w/v) aqueous solution of the P(HEMA-co-MAANa) narrowed with increasing temperature due to the rapid exchange of Na⁺ between free and polymer-bound states with a rate of exchange exceeding the quadrupolar relaxation rate in the latter state. At high concentrations of the polymer above 1.0% (w/v) at 298 K, the ²³Na-NMR relaxation fits for a single Lorentzian due to the rapid exchange between two Na⁺ states. However, it follows a biexponential decay of magnetization in dilute solutions of polymer. The biexponential decay character of relaxation increased with the increase of the fraction of the MAANa monomer unit on the polymer chain. This feature of ²³Na-NMR relaxation was used to deduce the correlation time (τ_c), the degree of binding (p_B), and the quadrupole coupling constants (X) of the polymer-bound counterion. The χ and τ_c values show that the mobilities of the polymer chain are correlated with the motion of Na⁺ in aqueous solution of the polymer and there is a small degree of the specific binding between COO^? and Na⁺. No evidence in support of the intramolecular conformational change by the charge density variation in P(HEMA-co-MAANa) was obtained. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Miscibility of poly(ε-caprolactone), a semicrystalline polymer,with amorphous poly(styrene-4-hydroxystyrene) copolymers

The miscibility of poly(ε caprolactone) (PCL) with poly(styrene-co-4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS) copolymers was investigated as a function of comonomer composition experimentally and with calculations by two models; the binary interaction model and the association model. PCL was found to be completely miscible with PHS copolymers containing 5 or more mole percent of 4-hydroxystyrene (HS) comonomer units for the entire range of blend compositions. Segmental interaction densities, B_ijs, were determined by the analysis of the equilibrium melting point depression and by the application of the binary interaction model. By correlating the segmental interaction energy densities with the binary interaction model, thermodynamic miscibility is for comonomer composition over five mole percent of 4-hydroxystyrene, which is in agreement with the experimental phase behavior. Application of the association model for specific interactions to blends also predicts the experimental miscibility boundary and phase behavior for all the PHS copolymers/PCL blends. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Porous film fabricated by a thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-butylmethacrylate) with enhanced hydrophobicity

In this paper, two charge-neutral and poorly water-soluble bactericides (BC), hexaconazole and triadimenol, were first encapsulated in micelles derived from anionic surfactant, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS), and then were successfully intercalated into the gallery of Mg–Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by using ion exchange, coprecipitation and reconstruction methods, respectively, to obtain BC–LDHs nanohybrids. The loading amounts of hexaconazole-LDHs nanohybrids are obviously higher than those of triadimenol-LDHs nanohybrids. The release kinetics of bactericides from the nanohybrids was investigated. It was found that the bactericide release kinetic processes of the nanohybrids can be described with pseudo-second-order model. The initial release rates and equilibrium percent releases of the nanohybrids are obviously dependent of synthesis methods. The nanohybrids can well control the release of bactericides, showing they are a potential pesticide controlled-release formulation.     

Modification and characterization of semi-crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) with interpenetrating poly(acrylic acid) by UV radiation method for alkaline solid polymer electrolytes membrane

Semi-crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) was modified by UV radiation with acrylic acid monomer to get interpenetrating poly(acrylic acid) modified poly(vinyl alcohol), PVAAA, membrane. The stability of various PVAAA membranes in water, 2 M CH₃OH, 2 M H₂SO₄, and 40 wt% KOH aqueous media were evaluated. It was found that the stability of PVAAA membrane is stable in 40 wt% KOH solution. The PVAAA membranes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry analysis. These results show that (1) the crystallinity in PVAAA decreased with increasing the content of poly(acrylic acid) in the PVAAA membranes. (2) The melting point of the PVAAA membrane is reduced with increasing the content of poly(acrylic acid) in the membrane. (3) Three stages of thermal degradation were found for pure PVA. Compared to pure PVA, the temperature of thermal degradation increased for the PVAAA membrane. The various PVAAA membranes were immersed in KOH solution to form polymer electrolyte membranes, PVAAA-KOH, and their performances for alkaline solid polymer electrolyte were conducted. At room temperature, the ionic conductivity increased from 0.044 to 0.312 S/cm. The result was due to the formation of interpenetrating polymer chain of poly(acrylic acid) in the PVAAA membrane and resulting in the increase of charge carriers in the PVA polymer matrix. Compared to the data reported for different membranes by other studies, our PVAAA membrane are highly ionic conducting alkaline solid polymer electrolytes membranes.     

Improved mechanical property and biocompatibility of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) for blood vessel tissue engineering by blending with poly(propylene carbonate)

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) and poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) were blended by solvent casting method into films at various weight ratios in order to obtain materials with properties more suitable for blood vessel tissue engineering than pure PHBHHx alone. FTIR and XRD analysis indicated the crystal structure of PHBHHx was not altered but the crystallinity was reduced by the interfusion of PPC. Mechanical properties of the films were improved significantly by blending with PPC. A lower elastic modulus and a higher elongation at break were obtained with the increase of PPC content. Wettability, fibronectin adsorption and adhesion of rabbit aorta smooth muscle cells (RaSMCs) on blend films were similar to or better than that on PHBHHx film. All these results showed promises of PHBHHx/PPC blended materials as scaffold material for blood vessel tissue engineering.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer

This article describes the preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with a poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer in an aqueous ethanol solution. The macromonomer acted as a comonomer as well as a stabilizer. The diameter of the particles increased as the concentration of the macromonomer decreased. The higher the molecular weight of the macromonomer, the smaller the particle size. The copolymerization in the solvent containing higher water content gave smaller polymer particles. Under the condition giving the monodisperse particles, the particles volume increased linearly with the yield of the particles. From ESCA analysis of the particle surface, poly(2-oxazoline) chains were enriched on the surface. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on interpolymer self-organisation behaviour of protoporphyrin IX bound poly(carboxylic acid)s with complimentary polymers by means of fluorescence techniques

Covalently bound protoporphyrin IX was used as a fluorophore to investigate the interpolymer complex formation between the poly(carboxylic acid)s, PMAA/PAA and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP, poly(ethylene oxide), PEO or poly(ethylene glycol), PEG. Absorption and emission spectral properties of protoporphyrin IX bound to PAA, PMAA and PVP have been studied. Protoporphyrin IX in poly(MAA-co-PPIX) was found to be present in the dimer or higher aggregated form at low pH due to the environmental restriction imposed by the polymer whereas in the case of poly(AA-co-PPIX) and poly(VP-co-PPIX), PPIX exists in monomeric form. The fluorescence intensity and lifetime of PPIX bound to poly(carboxylic acid)s increase on complexation through hydrogen bonding with PVP, PEO and PEG due to the displacement of water molecules in the vicinity of the PPIX. Poly(MAA-co-PPIX) shows longer fluorescence lifetime due to the more compact interpolymer complexation as compared to poly(AA-co-PPIX) due to the enhanced hydrophobicity of PMAA. Poly(VP-co-PPIX) shows a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime on complexation with PMAA or PAA due to the hydrophilic and microgel like environment of the fluorophore bound to PVP. The contrasting behaviour of the same polymer adduct with respect to the site of the fluorophore is interpreted to be due to the solvent structure which determines the environment of the fluorophore.     

Addition of chlorofluorocarbene to poly(1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) and poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene): Characterization of chlorofluorocyclopropanated polymer microstructures by 1H-, 13C-, 19F-, and 29Si-NMR spectroscopy

Chlorofluorocarbene, generated by the sodium iodide catalyzed decomposition of phenyl(dichlorofluoromethyl)mercury, adds to the carbon-carbon double bonds of poly(1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (I) and poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (II) to yield poly(3,4-chlorofluoromethylene-1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (CIFC-I) and poly(3,4-chlorofluoromethylene-1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) (CIFC-II). Similarly, two series of random partially chlorofluorocyclopropanated polymers have been prepared. The microstructures of these adduct polymers have been determined by ¹H-, ₁₃C-, ¹⁹F-, and ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy. The glass transition temperatures (T_g's) depend on the extent of chlorofluoropropanation of these polymers. These copolymers become less thermally stable as the extent of chlorofluorocyclopropanation increases. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spin-adducts of radicals ·P(O)(OPri)2 and ·CMe3 with pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes studied by ESR spectroscopy

The addition of the ^·Bu^t (R¹) and ^·P(O)(OPrⁱ)₂ (R²) radicals to pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes C₆₀CH₂NMeCHX (X = C₆H₄N(CH₂CH₂Cl)₂, 2,6-(Bu^t)₂C₆H₂OH, PhC₆H₄, and indol-3-yl) was studied by ESR spectroscopy. The rate constants of R¹ radical addition to these compounds and dimerization of spin-adducts of the R¹ radicals with pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes were determined. Pyrrolidino[60]fullerenes manifest considerably higher reactivity toward the R¹ radicals than fullerene C₆₀ and methanofullerenes C₆₀CX¹X² (X¹ = X² = CO₂Et; X¹ = CO₂Me, X² = OP(OMe)₂, X¹ = X² = OP(OEt)₂).     

Enhancement of electroluminescence intensity in poly(3-alkylthiophene) with different alkyl side-chain length by doping of fluorescent dye

Electroluminescent diodes utilizing poly(3-alkylthiophene) (PAT) containing fluorescent dyes have been fabricated and their unique enhancement of emission characteristics have been studied. Remarkable enhancement of the electroluminescence efficiency has been observed for diodes with PAT doped with oxadiazole derivative (2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole; PBD) and perylene derivative (N,N′ - Bis(2,5 - di - tert - butylphenyl) - 3,4,9,10 - perylenedi- carboximide; BPPC). The mechanism of emission enhancement by doping of PBD into PAT has been discussed with different alkyl side-chain lengths. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.