Interaction of a pyrene derivative with cationic [60]fullerene in phospholipid membranes and its effects on photodynamic actions.

We have reported that upon visible light irradiation, ferrocene-porphyrin-[60]fullerene triad molecules yield long-lived charge-separated states, enabling the control of the plasma membrane potential ( ) in living cells. These previous studies indicated that the localization of the triad molecules in a specific intra-membrane orientation and the suppression of the photodynamic actions of the [60]fullerene (C) moiety are likely important to achieve fast and safe control of , respectively. In this study, by mimicking our previous system of triad molecules and living cells, we report a simplified model system with a cationic C derivative (catC) and a liposome with embedded 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PyBA) to demonstrate that the addition of PyBA was important to achieve fast and safer control of .

Photoinduced charge separation at heterojunctions between two-dimensional layered materials and small organic molecules.

p-n heterojunctions are fundamental components for electronics and optoelectronics, including diodes, transistors, sensors, and solar cells. Over the past few decades, organic-inorganic p-n heterojunctions have garnered significant interest due to the diverse properties they exhibit, which are a result of the limitless combinations of organic molecules and inorganic materials. This review article concentrates on photoinduced charge separation and photocurrent generation at heterojunctions between two-dimensional layered materials and structurally well-defined organic small molecules.

Molecular donor-acceptor linked systems as models for examining their interactions in excited states.

Molecular donor-acceptor (D-A) linked systems have attracted significant attention due to their potential to address D-A interactions in excited states. In these systems, it is crucial to understand the interplay between electrons and spin behaviors, atomic nucleus movements (including vibration, rotation, fluctuation, and transfer), and collective motion (electron-phonon coupling) over time. Through intentional manipulation of locally excited, charge-transfer excited, and charge-separated states, along with modulation of dynamic effects (enhancement or restraint), we expect to unlock the full potential of D-A systems for photofunctions in electronics, energy, healthcare, and functional materials.

Boosting charge separation in organic photovoltaics: unveiling dipole moment variations in excited non-fullerene acceptor layers.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has reached more than 19% due to the rapid development of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). To compete with the PCEs (26%) of commercialized silicon-based inorganic photovoltaics, the drawback of OPVs should be minimized. This drawback is the intrinsic large loss of open-circuit voltage; however, a general approach to this issue remains elusive.

Suppression of Charge Recombination by Vertical Arrangement of A Donor Moiety on Flat Planar Dyes for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), flat planar dyes (e. g., highly light-harvesting porphyrins and corroles) with multiple anchoring groups are known to adopt a horizontal orientation on TiO through the multiple binding to TiO.

An emissive charge-transfer excited-state at the well-defined hetero-nanostructure interface of an organic conjugated molecule and two-dimensional inorganic nanosheet.

Precise engineering of excited-state interactions between an organic conjugated molecule and a two-dimensional semiconducting inorganic nanosheet, specifically the manipulation of charge-transfer excited (CTE) states, still remains a challenge for state-of-the-art photochemistry. Herein, we report a long-lived, highly emissive CTE state at structurally well-defined hetero-nanostructure interfaces of photoactive pyrene and two-dimensional MoS nanosheets an -benzylsuccinimide bridge (Py-Bn-MoS). Spectroscopic measurements reveal that no charge-transfer state is formed in the ground state, but the locally-excited (LE) state of pyrene in Py-Bn-MoS efficiently generates an unusual emissive CTE state.

Graphene oxide-fullerene nanocomposite laminates for efficient hydrogen purification.

Graphene oxide (GO) with its unique two-dimensional structure offers an emerging platform for designing advanced gas separation membranes that allow for highly selective transport of hydrogen molecules. Nevertheless, further tuning of the interlayer spacing of GO laminates and its effect on membrane separation efficiency remains to be explored. Here, positively charged fullerene C derivatives are electrostatically bonded to the surface of GO sheets in order to manipulate the interlayer spacing between GO nanolaminates.

Synthesis of thiophene-fused porphyrin dimers as effective π-extended helical chromophores.

We synthesized thiophene-fused porphyrin dimers as effective π-extended helical chromophores. The porphyrin dimers exhibit a red-shifted absorption with the edge extending up to 1100 nm, implying strong electronic communication over the two porphyrin moieties through the thiophene-fused structure. Importantly, their racemic inversion barriers can be modulated by the central metal ions.

Long-Range Interfacial Charge Carrier Trapping in Halide Perovskite-C and Halide Perovskite-TiO Donor-Acceptor Films.

Interfacial electron transfer across perovskite-electron acceptor heterojunctions plays a significant role in the power-conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Thus, electron donor-acceptor thin films of halide perovskite nanocrystals receive considerable attention. Nevertheless, understanding and optimizing distance- and thickness-dependent electron transfer in perovskite-electron acceptor heterojunctions are important.

Thiophene-Fused Naphthodiphospholes: Modulation of the Structural and Electronic Properties of Polycyclic Aromatics by Precise Fusion of Heteroles.

For polycyclic aromatics with heterole-fused structures, the orientation of fused heterole rings as well as the geometry of their fused structures has a large impact on the physicochemical properties. In this study, a series of isomers of thiophene-fused naphthodiphospholes was designed and synthesized. Systematic investigation unveiled the explicit impact of heterole-fused structures on their structural and electronic properties.

Elucidation of the Mechanisms for the Underlying Depolarization and Reversibility by Photoactive Molecule.

Background/aims: Light-induced control of the cell membrane potential has enabled important advances in the study of biological processes involving the nervous system and muscle activity. The use of these light-induced modifications is expected in various medical applications, including the control of physiological responses and the recovery of lost functions by regulating nerve activity. In particular, charge-separating linkage molecules (Charge-Separation (CS) molecules) can depolarize cells by photoexcitation without genetic processing.

Near-infrared light control of membrane potential by an electron donor-acceptor linked molecule.

Near-infrared (NIR) light control of living cellular activities is a highly desired technique for living cell manipulation because of its advantage of high penetrability towards living tissue. In this study, (Ï€-extended porphyrin)-fullerene linked molecules are designed and synthesized to achieve NIR light control of the membrane potential. A donor-(Ï€-extended porphyrin)-acceptor linked molecule exhibited the formation of the charge-separated state with a relatively long lifetime (0.

Unique Role of Heterole-Fused Structures in Aromaticity and Physicochemical Properties of 7,8-Dehydropurpurins.

Porphyrins with a fused five-membered ring, such as 7,8-dehydropurpurins, have appeared as an emerging class of unique porphyrinoids. Their altered absorption spectra, relatively short lifetimes of excited states, and small HOMO-LUMO gaps arise from the harmony of the antiaromatic 20π-circuit and the aromatic 18π-circuit. In this regard, the electronic properties of 7,8-dehydropurpurins are expected to be controlled by modulating the contribution of the antiaromatic π-circuit to the whole aromaticity.

Noncovalent Functionalization of Few-Layered Antimonene with Fullerene Clusters and Photoinduced Charge Separation in the Composite.

Few-layered antimonene (FLSb) nanosheets were noncovalently functionalized with fullerene C clusters by quick addition of a poor solvent (i.e., acetonitrile) into a mixed dispersion of FLSb and C in a good solvent (i.

Simple Processing Additive-Driven 20% Efficiency for Inverted Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells.

Compositional engineering has been a strong tool to improve the quality of the perovskite materials and, in turn, the reproducibility of the solar cells. However, the control over the active layer uniformity, one of the most important requirements for the obtainment of efficient devices, is still a weak point of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) manufacturing. Here, we develop an approach to grow a uniform mixed cation perovskite layer, foreseeing its implementation in inverted solar cells endowing organic transporting layers, through the addition of a stoiochiometric amount of tropolone as chelating agent for the lead.

Effect of Ligand Structures of Copper Redox Shuttles on Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In recent years, copper(I/II) complexes have emerged as alternative redox shuttles in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), exhibiting more positive redox potential than iodine- and cobalt-based redox shuttles. In particular, copper(I/II) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline- or 2,2'-bipyridyl-based ligands attained moderate to high power conversion efficiencies (6-11%) with a high open-circuit voltage () over 1.0 V due to the positive potentials.

Exclusive occurrence of photoinduced energy transfer and switching of its direction by rectangular π-extension of nanographenes.

As structure defined cutouts of the graphene lattice, nanographene molecules have gained plenty of attention because of their high potential for versatile applications in organic electronics and energy conversion devices and as ideal model systems for the better understanding of intrinsic structure-property correlations of graphenes. In this study, well-defined nanographenes with sp carbon networks of different sizes, hexa--hexabenzocoronene (HBC) and its rectangularly π-extended version, a short graphene nanoribbon (GNR), have been covalently functionalized with photoactive porphyrin molecules. On the basis of their spectroscopic studies, the photodynamics of the porphyrin-linked nanographenes was found to be influenced substantially by the size of the nanographenes.

Spontaneous Complexation of Fullerene Aggregates on Nanodiamond Aggregates and Their Enhanced Photocurrent Generation.

Supramolecular composites composed of fullerene C and carbon nanodiamond (ND) were constructed through spontaneous complexation of C aggregates onto the surface of ND aggregates in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The resulting C -ND composite was assembled onto a nanostructured SnO electrode by an electrophoretic deposition method. Formation of the C -ND composite was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

Isomer Effects of Fullerene Derivatives on Organic Photovoltaics and Perovskite Solar Cells.

Solar energy conversion is one of the most important issues for creating and maintaining a future sustainable society. In this regard, photovoltaic technologies have attracted much attention because of their potential to solve energy and environmental issues. In particular, thin-film solar cells, such as organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs), are highly promising owing to their flexibility, light weight, and low-cost production.