Observing Defect Passivation of the Grain Boundary with 2‐Aminoterephthalic Acid for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with their exceptional properties, show promise as photoelectric converters. However, defects in the perovskite layer, particularly at the grain boundaries (GBs), seriously restrict the performance and stability of PSCs. Now, a simple post‐treatment procedure involves applying 2‐aminoterephthalic acid to the perovskite to produce efficient and stable PSCs. By optimizing the post‐treatment conditions, we created a device that achieved a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.09 % and demonstrated improved stability. This improvement was attributed to the fact that the 2‐aminoterephthalic acid acted as a cross‐linking agent that inhibited the migration of ions and passivated the trap states at GBs. These findings provide a potential strategy for designing efficient and stable PSCs regarding the aspects of defect passivation and crystal growth.     

Colloidal Synthesis and Charge‐Carrier Dynamics of Cs2AgSb1−yBiyX6 (X: Br,Cl; 0 ≤y ≤1) Double Perovskite Nanocrystals

A series of lead‐free double perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) Cs₂AgSb_1?yBi_yX₆ (X: Br, Cl; 0≤y≤1) is synthesized. In particular, the Cs₂AgSbBr₆ NCs is a new double perovskite material that has not been reported for the bulk form. Mixed Ag–Sb/Bi NCs exhibit enhanced stability in colloidal solution compared to Ag–Bi or Ag–Sb NCs. Femtosecond transient absorption studies indicate the presence of two prominent fast trapping processes in the charge‐carrier relaxation. The two fast trapping processes are dominated by intrinsic self‐trapping (ca. 1–2 ps) arising from giant exciton–phonon coupling and surface‐defect trapping (ca. 50–100 ps). Slow hot‐carrier relaxation is observed at high pump fluence, and the possible mechanisms for the slow hot‐carrier relaxation are also discussed.     

Biradicaloid Character of Thiophene‐Based Heterophenoquinones: The Role of Electron–Phonon Coupling

The quinoidal versus biradicaloid character of the ground state of a series of thiophene‐based heterophenoquinones is investigated with quantum‐chemical calculations. The role of the ground‐state electronic character on molecular structure and vibrational properties is emphasized. The vibrational activities are experimentally determined and their analysis is performed by taking advantage of the definition of a collective vibrational coordinate (the

     

Ion‐Exchange‐Induced 2D–3D Conversion of HMA1−xFAxPbI3Cl Perovskite into a High‐Quality MA1−xFAxPbI3 Perovskite

High‐quality phase‐pure MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ planar films (MA=methylammonium, FA=formamidinium) with extended absorption and enhanced thermal stability are difficult to deposit by regular simple solution chemistry approaches owing to crystallization competition between the easy‐to‐crystallize but unwanted δ‐FAPbI₃/MAPbI₃ and FA_xMA_1?xPbI₃ requiring rigid crystallization conditions. Here A 2D–3D conversion to transform compact 2D mixed composition HMA_1?xFA_xPbI₃Cl perovskite precursor films into 3D MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ (x=0.1–0.9) perovskites is presented. The designed Cl/I and H/FA(MA) ion exchange reaction induced fast transformation of compact 2D perovskite film, helping to form the phase‐pure and high quality MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ without δ‐FAPbI₃ and MAPbI₃ impurity. In all, we successfully developed a facile one‐step method to fabricate high quality phase‐pure MA_1?xFA_xPbI₃ (x=0.1–0.9) perovskite films by 2D–3D conversion of HMA_1?xFA_xPbI₃Cl perovskite. This 2D–3D conversion is a promising strategy for lead halide perovskite fabrication.     

Theoretical study of two‐dimensionally fused zinc porphyrins: DFT calculations

Electronic structures of D_4h square‐fused zinc porphyrin sheets of two types ( SA , SB ), where SA is a directly meso‐meso‐, β‐β‐, and β‐β‐linked array and SB is a directly β‐fused array, were compared using density functional theory (DFT). The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of oligomeric SA _n are characteristically delocalized at the cyclooctatetraene‐like sites composed of β‐pyrrolic carbons and their nearest‐neighbor nitrogens. Those of oligomeric SB _n remain solitary monomeric features, reflecting weakly interacting porphyrin units. These two‐dimensionally (2D) square‐fused sheets, especially for SA _n, show effective reduction of both the HOMO–LUMO energy gaps (E_g) and the lowest Q‐like excitation energies because of LUMO's greater stabilization with increasing number of porphyrins than the corresponding one‐dimensionally (1D) linear‐fused tapes. To estimate the minimum value of E_g, the electronic band structures of the infinite‐fused SA _∞ and SB _∞ were examined in detail using modern periodic DFT. Results indicate a full metal for SA _∞, with HOMO and LUMO bands crossing the Fermi level, and a semiconductor with E_g ≈ 0.5 eV for SB _∞. Furthermore, the phonon modes and the electron–phonon coupling (EPC) constant of SA _∞ were calculated throughout the Brillouin zone using density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), yielding a weak EPC constant, λ = 0.35. Within the standard phonon‐mediated BCS mechanism, the superconducting transition temperature, T_c is demonstrated using the McMillan formula, predicting ≈0.5 K. Results show that SA _∞ will become a rare synthetic metal/superconductor without a metal‐insulator transition coming from Peierls lattice instability because it has no serious imaginary phonon modes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Ligand‐Controlled α‐ and β‐Arylation of Acyclic N‐Boc Amines

The palladium‐catalyzed ligand‐controlled arylation of α‐zincated acyclic amines, obtained by directed α‐lithiation and transmetalation, is described. Whereas PtBu₃ gave rise to α‐arylated Boc‐protected amines, more flexible N‐phenylazole‐based phosphine ligands induced major β‐arylation through migrative cross‐coupling.     

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.     

β‐Functionalized Push–Pull opp‐Dibenzoporphyrins as Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A novel class of β‐functionalized push–pull zinc opp ‐dibenzoporphyrins were designed, synthesized, and utilized as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells. Spectral, electrochemical, and computational studies were systematically performed to evaluate their spectral coverage, redox behavior, and electronic structures. These porphyrins displayed much broader spectral coverage and more facile oxidation upon extension of the π conjugation. Free‐energy calculations and femtosecond transient absorption studies (charge injection rate in the range of 10¹¹ s⁻¹) suggested efficient charge injection from the excited singlet state of the porphyrin to the conduction band of TiO₂. The power conversion efficiency (η ) of YH3 bearing acrylic acid linkers (η =5.9 %) was close to that of the best ruthenium dye N719 (η =7.4 %) under similar conditions. The superior photovoltaic performance of YH3 was attributed to its higher light‐harvesting ability and more favorable electron injection and collection, as supported by electrochemical impedance spectral studies. This work demonstrates the exceptional potential of benzoporphyrins as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells.     

Tetraaryl ZnII Porphyrinates Substituted at β‐Pyrrolic Positions as Sensitizers in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: A Comparison with meso‐Disubstituted Push–Pull ZnII Porphyrinates

A facile and fast approach, based on microwave‐enhanced Sonogashira coupling, has been employed to obtain in good yields both mono‐ and, for the first time, disubstituted push–pull Zn^II porphyrinates bearing a variety of ethynylphenyl moieties at the β‐pyrrolic position(s). Furthermore, a comparative experimental, electrochemical, and theoretical investigation has been carried out on these β‐mono‐ or disubstituted Zn^II porphyrinates and meso‐disubstituted push–pull Zn^II porphyrinates. We have obtained evidence that, although the HOMO–LUMO energy gap of the meso‐substituted push–pull dyes is lower, so that charge transfer along the push–pull system therein is easier, the β‐mono‐ or disubstituted push–pull porphyrinic dyes show comparable or better efficiencies when acting as sensitizers in DSSCs. This behavior is apparently not attributable to more intense B and Q bands, but rather to more facile charge injection. This is suggested by the DFT electron distribution in a model of a β‐monosubstituted porphyrinic dye interacting with a TiO₂ surface and by the positive effect of the β substitution on the incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra, which show a significant intensity over a broad wavelength range (350–650 nm). In contrast, meso‐substitution produces IPCE spectra with two less intense and well‐separated peaks. The positive effect exerted by a cyanoacrylic acid group attached to the ethynylphenyl substituent has been analyzed by a photophysical and theoretical approach. This provided supporting evidence of a contribution from charge‐transfer transitions to both the B and Q bands, thus producing, through conjugation, excited electrons close to the carboxylic anchoring group. Finally, the straightforward and effective synthetic procedures developed, as well as the efficiencies observed by photoelectrochemical measurements, make the described β‐monosubstituted Zn^II porphyrinates extremely promising sensitizers for use in DSSCs.     

Transport properties of two‐dimensionally fused zinc porphyrins from linear‐response approach

Transport properties, temperature‐dependent phonon‐limited electrical and thermal resistivities in the normal state of two‐dimensionally (2D) infinite‐fused zinc porphyrin with a directly meso‐meso‐, β‐β‐, and β‐β‐linked array structure ZnP _∞ were theoretically calculated using linear‐response approach based on density functional theory (DFT). The calculated transport electron–phonon coupling (EPC) constant using the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) shows almost equal to the superconducting EPC constant, which is the similar situation within a difference by ca. 10% between them for the transition metals. The calculated electrical and thermal resistivities at 300 K obtained by solving the Boltzmann equation within the lowest‐order variational approximation (LOVA) are only larger by one digit than those of the reference metal Al, expecting to become a fantastic 2D synthetic metal without an injection of conductive carriers from outside, e.g., by doping. The calculated results for the 2D infinite‐fused lithium porphyrin LiP _∞ with the same ground state as the one‐electron oxidative state of ZnP _∞ were also discussed for comparison. This simple approach using the first applied plane‐wave ultrasoft pseudopotentials (US‐PPs) is a usable technique for the prediction of the transport properties of simple metallic materials within the practical temperature range. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Ligand‐free CuI‐catalyzed coupling and cyclization of β‐bromo‐α,β‐unsaturated amides with formamide leading to pyrimidinones

β‐Bromo‐α,β‐unsaturated amides were coupled and cyclized with formamide in DMF at 100°C in the presence of a catalytic amount of a copper(I) salt along with a base to give the corresponding pyrimidinones in good yields. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Asymmetric Diels–Alder Reaction of α‐Substituted and β,β‐Disubstituted α,β‐Enals via Diarylprolinol Silyl Ether for the Construction of All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters

The asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of α‐substituted acrolein proceeds in the presence of the trifluoroacetic acid salt of trifluoromethyl‐substituted diarylprolinol silyl ether to afford the exo‐isomer with both excellent diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity. In the Diels–Alder reaction of a β,β‐disubstituted α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde, good exo‐selectivity and excellent enantioselectivity was obtained when the perchloric acid salt of the bulky triisopropyl silyl ether of trifluoromethyl substituted diarylprolinol was employed as an organocatalyst in the presence of water. In both cases, all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters are constructed enantioselectively.     

Sensing Remote Chirality: Stereochemical Determination of β‐, γ‐, and δ‐Chiral Carboxylic Acids

Determining the absolute stereochemisty of small molecules bearing remote nonfunctionalizable stereocenters is a challenging task. Presented is a solution in which appropriately substituted bis(porphyrin) tweezers are used. Complexation of a suitably derivatized β‐, γ‐, or δ‐chiral carboxylic acid to the tweezer induces a predictable helicity of the bis(porphyrin), which is detected as a bisignate Cotton Effect (ECCD). The sign of the ECCD curve is correlated with the absolute stereochemistry of the substrate based on the derived working mnemonics in a predictable manner.     

Stereochemical analysis of the 3α‐ and 3β‐hydroxy metabolites of tibolone through NMR and quantum‐chemical investigations. An experimental test of GIAO calculations

The configuration at C‐3 of the 3α‐ and 3β‐hydroxy metabolites of tibolone was studied by extensive application of one‐ and two‐dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy combined with molecular modeling performed at the B3LYP/6–31G(d) level. Using HF and DFT GIAO methods, shielding tensors of the two molecules were computed; comparison of the calculated NMR chemical shifts with the experimental values revealed that the density functional methods produced the best results for assigning proton and carbon resonances. Although steroids are relatively large molecules, the present approach appears accurate enough to allow the determination of relative configurations by using calculated ¹³C resonances; the chemical shift of pairs of geminal α/β hydrogen atoms can also be established by using calculated ¹H resonances. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Revealing the A‐Site Effect of Lead‐Free A3Sb2Br9 Perovskite in Photocatalytic C(sp3)−H Bond Activation

The lead‐free halide perovskite A₃Sb₂Br₉ is utilized as a photocatalyst for the first time for C(sp³)?H bond activation. A₃Sb₂Br₉ nanoparticles (A₃Sb₂Br₉ NPs) with different ratios of Cs and CH₃NH₃ (MA) show different photocatalytic activities for toluene oxidation and the photocatalytic performance is enhanced when increasing the amount of Cs. The octahedron distortion caused by A‐site cations can change the electronic properties of X‐site ions and further affect the electron transfer from toluene molecules to Br sites. After the regulation of A‐site cations, the photocatalytic activity is higher with A₃Sb₂Br₉ NPs than that with classic photocatalysts (TiO₂, WO₃, and CdS). The main active species involved in photocatalytic oxidation of toluene are photogenerated holes (h⁺) and superoxide anions (^.O₂^?). The octahedron distortion by A‐site cations affecting photocatalytic activity remains unique and is also a step forward for understanding more about halide‐perovskite‐based photocatalysis. The relationship between octahedron distortion and photocatalysis can also guide the design of new photocatalytic systems involving other halide perovskites.