Rational Molecular Design of Indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-Based Passivators with Multifunctional Groups to Effectively Retard Recombination and Enhance Voc in Perovskite Solar Cells.

Three indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-based passivators (CQs) with different functionalities including ketone, malononitrile, nitrile, and amine were prepared and used as passivators in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). All of them exhibit good thermal stability, low cost, and ease of preparation. The variation in molecular geometries, in planar and spiro-shaped designs with appropriate functional groups, highlights a comparison between their passivation properities.

Enhancing Stability in All-Vacuum-Evaporated Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells via a Bipolar Host as a Hole-Transporting Layer.

Growing an ultrathin hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite film while maintaining high efficiency and addressing photostability challenges for commercial devices remains a significant hurdle. In this study, we explore the incorporation of organometallic copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and (a previously published spiro-based interfacial material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), featuring an ortho-oriented carbazole donor) as an addition to the hole-transporting layer (HTL) in all-vacuum-deposited CsFAPb(IBr) PSCs. By innovatively introducing a 3 nm-thin layer at the CuPc-perovskite interface, we achieve a deeper understanding of the crystallographic dynamics of perovskites, resulting in a uniform and pinhole-free film.

Enhancing DSSCs and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production with D-A-A-π-A Sensitizers Containing 10'H-Spiro [Fluorene-9,9'-Phenanthren]-10'-one and Benzo[c][1,2,5]Thiadiazole.

Novel D-A-A-π-A organic sensitizers (FZ-sensitizer), utilizing spiro [fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren]-10'-one and benzo [c][1,2,5]thiadiazole moiety as two auxiliary acceptors, are synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and hydrogen production. By incorporating a bulky spiro [fluorene-9,9'-phenanthrene]-10'-one (A) and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (A) between the donor (D) and π-bridge moiety, structural modifications inhibit molecular aggregation, while the carbonyl group enhances the capture of Li ions, thereby delaying charge recombination. Furthermore, the extended π-conjugation broadens the light absorption range and enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of FZ-2 under AM1.

Bacteria inhabiting spider webs enhance host silk extensibility.

Spider silk is a promising material with great potential in biomedical applications due to its incredible mechanical properties and resistance to degradation of commercially available bacterial strains. However, little is known about the bacterial communities that may inhabit spider webs and how these microorganisms interact with spider silk. In this study, we exposed two exopolysaccharide-secreting bacteria, isolated from webs of an orb spider, to major ampullate (MA) silk from host spiders.

Multifaceted Sulfone-Carbazole-Based D-A-D Materials: A Blue Fluorescent Emitter as a Host for Phosphorescent OLEDs and Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Up-Conversion Electroluminescence.

Electroluminescence (EL) from the singlet-excited (S) state is the ideal choice for stable, high-performing deep-blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) owing to the advantages of an adequately short radiative lifetime, improved device durability, and low cost, which are the most important criteria for their commercialization. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of three donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D)-configured deep-blue fluorescent materials (denoted as , , and ) composed of a thioxanthone or diphenyl sulfonyl acceptor and phenyl carbazolyl donor. These systems exhibit strong deep-blue photoluminescence (422-432 nm) in solutions and redshifted emission (472-486 nm) in thin films.

TADF-based NIR-II semiconducting polymer dots for 3D bone imaging.

Intraoperative fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) region heralds a new era in image-guided surgery since the success in the first-in-human liver-tumor surgery guided by NIR-II fluorescence. Limited by the conventional small organic NIR dyes such as FDA-approved indocyanine green with suboptimal NIR-II fluorescence and non-targeting ability, the resulting shallow penetration depth and high false positive diagnostic values have been challenging. Described here is the design of NIR-II emissive semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) incorporated with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) moieties to exhibit emission maxima of 1064-1100 nm and fluorescence quantum yields of 0.

Promoting the Efficiency and Stability of Nonfullerene Organic Photovoltaics by Incorporating Open-Cage [60]Fullerenes in the Nonfullerene Nanocrystallites.

The device efficiency of :-based nonfullerene organic solar cells is fast advanced recently. To maintain organic solar cells (OSCs) with high power conversion efficiency over 16% in long-term operation, however, remains a challenge. Here, a novel non-volatile additive, an open-cage [60]fullerene (), is incorporated into -based OSCs for high-performance with high durability.

A universal strategy for the fabrication of single-photon and multiphoton NIR nanoparticles by loading organic dyes into water-soluble polymer nanosponges.

The development of optical organic nanoparticles (NPs) is desirable and widely studied. However, most organic dyes are water-insoluble such that the derivatization and modification of these dyes are difficult. Herein, we demonstrated a simple platform for the fabrication of organic NPs designed with emissive properties by loading ten different organic dyes (molar masses of 479.

Accelerated Formation of 2D Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Thin Films by Lewis Bases for High Efficiency Solar Cell Applications.

Various types of 2D organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells have been developed and investigated due to better electron transport behavior and environmental stability. Controlling the formation of phases in the 2D perovskite films has been considered to play an important role in influencing the stability of perovskite materials and their performance in optoelectronic applications. In this work, Lewis base urea was used as an effective additive for the formation of 2D Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) perovskite (BA)(MA)PbI thin film with mixed phases (n = 2~4).

Dual-Functional Enantiomeric Compounds as Hole-Transporting Materials and Interfacial Layers in Perovskite Solar Cells.

In this paper, we describe the application of the enantiomeric compounds -, each featuring a bulky spiro[fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren]-10'-one moiety, as both hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and interfacial layers in both n-i-p and p-i-n perovskite solar cells (PSCs). These HTMs contain an enantiomeric mixture and a variety of core units linked to triarylamine donors to extend the degree of π-conjugation. The n-i-p PSCs incorporating exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.

[2.2]- and [3.3]Paracyclophane as Bridging Units in Organic Dyads for Visible-Light-Driven Dye-Sensitized Hydrogen Production.

Novel donor-acceptor dyads containing [2.2]- and [3.3]paracyclophane (PCP) as the bridging moiety were synthesized and used to effectively fabricate dye-sensitized hydrogen production systems.

-Tetrafluorophenylene Divinylene-Bridged Nonfullerene Acceptors as Binary Components or Additives for High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells.

In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized an A-D-A'-D-A-type indacenodithienothiophene ()-based molecular acceptor that exhibited a broader absorption range and higher lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level with a nearly comparable band gap compared to a well-known electron acceptor . The designed electron-deficient molecular acceptor with a fluorinated benzene tether (), that is, -tetrafluorophenylene divinylene, demonstrated long-wavelength absorption and high hole and electron charge mobility in the thin films blended with the electron donor for an inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) binary device, resulting in a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.4%.

Polycyclic Arenes Dihydrodinaphthopentacene-based Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells Application.

In this paper, two D-π-D type compounds, C1 and C2, containing dihydrodinaphthopentacene (DHDNP) as a π-bridge, p-methoxydiphenylamine and p-methoxytriphenylamine groups as the donor groups were synthesized. The four 4-hexylphenyl groups at the sp -carbon bridges of DHDNP were acquainted with control morphology and improving solubility. The light absorption, energy level, thermal properties, and application as hole-transporting materials in perovskite solar cells of these compounds were fully investigated.

Electrocatalytic Reduction of NO to Ultrapure Ammonia on {200} Facet Dominant Cu Nanodendrites with High Conversion Faradaic Efficiency.

Nitrate (NO) reduction reaction (NtRR) is considered as a green alternative method for the conventional method of NH synthesis (Haber-Bosch process), which is known as a high energy consuming and large CO emitting process. Herein, the copper nanodendrites (Cu NDs) grown along with the {200} facet as an efficient NtRR catalyst have been successfully fabricated and investigated. It exhibited high Faradaic efficiency of 97% at low potential (-0.

Spherical Hole-Transporting Interfacial Layer Passivated Defect for Inverted NiO-Based Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with High Efficiency of over 20.

In this study, we achieved a facile and low-cost (18-22 USD/g) synthesis of spiro[fluorene-9,9-phenanthren-10-one]-based interfacial layer materials (; designated , , , and ). Carbazoles and dimethylacridine substituents with an extended π-conjugation achieved through ortho- or para-orientations were used as donors at the spiro[fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren-10'-one] moiety. Highly efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with the device architecture of ITO/NiO//perovskite/PCBM/BCP/Ag can be achieved to improve the surface morphology of NiO when are adopted as the interfacial layer.

A Quinone-Based Electrode for High-Performance Rechargeable Aluminum-Ion Batteries with a Low-Cost AlCl/Urea Ionic Liquid Electrolyte.

Intensive energy demand urges state-of-the-art rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are promising candidates with suitable cathode materials. Owing to high abundance of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and rich chemistry of organics (structural diversity and flexibility), small organic molecules are good choices as the electrode materials for AIB.

Photoactive Earth-Abundant Iron Pyrite Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction.

The generation of ammonia, hydrogen production, and nitrogen purification are considered as energy intensive processes accompanied with large amounts of CO emission. An electrochemical method assisted by photoenergy is widely utilized for the chemical energy conversion. In this work, earth-abundant iron pyrite (FeS ) nanocrystals grown on carbon fiber paper (FeS /CFP) are found to be an electrochemical and photoactive catalyst for nitrogen reduction reaction under ambient temperature and pressure.

Defect Passivation by Amide-Based Hole-Transporting Interfacial Layer Enhanced Perovskite Grain Growth for Efficient p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells.

In this study, we synthesized four acceptor-donor-acceptor type hole-transporting materials (HTMs) of for an HTMs/interfacial layer with carbazole as the core moiety and ester/amide as the acceptor unit. These HTMs contain 4-hexyloxyphenyl substituents on the carbazole N atom, with extended π-conjugation achieved through phenylene and thiophene units at the 3,6-positions of the carbazole. When using amide-based HTMs as a dopant-free HTM in a p-i-n perovskite solar cell (PSC), we achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.

High-Performance Organic Dyes with Electron-Deficient Quinoxalinoid Heterocycles for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells under One Sun and Indoor Light.

A series of Y-shaped sensitizers incorporating quinoxaline or quinoxalinoid moieties were prepared and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By the introduction of quinoxalinoid functionalities, the absorption extinction coefficients could be enhanced. The molecular structures were modified by introducing an extra acceptor group (A) between a donor (D) and a π-bridge (D-A-π-A) and also by incorporating electron-donating substituents at various positions of the quinoxalinoid moiety.

Facilely Synthesized spiro[fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren-10'-one] in Donor-Acceptor-Donor Hole-Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells.

We have demonstrated two novel donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) hole-transport material (HTM) with spiro[fluorene-9,9'-phenanthren-10'-one] as the core structure, which can be synthesized through a low-cost process in high yield. Compared to the incorporation of the conventional HTM of commonly used 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis[N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD), the synthesis process is greatly simplified for the presented D-A-D materials, including a minimum number of purification processes. This results in an increased production yield (>55 %) and suppressed production cost (<30 $ g ), in addition to high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

Hole-Transporting Materials Based on Twisted Bimesitylenes for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with High Efficiency.

A new class of hole-transport materials (HTMs) based on the bimesitylene core designed for mesoporous perovskite solar cells is introduced. Devices fabricated using two of these derivatives yield higher open-circuit voltage values than the commonly used spiro-OMeTAD. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of up to 12.

Acenes generated from precursors and their semiconducting properties.

Acenes are a class of aromatic hydrocarbons composed of linearly fused benzene rings. Noteworthy features of these molecules include their extended flat structure and the narrow gap between the HOMO and LUMO energy levels. However, the preparation of larger acenes, those that are larger than pentacene, has been challenging.

A soluble precursor of hexacene and its application in thin film transistors.

A soluble precursor of hexacene is prepared from a cycloaddition of hexacene and diethyl ketomalonate in high yield. It can be used to make hexacene thin-films through spin-coating for the fabrication of organic field effect transistors.

7-Meth-oxy-indan-1-one.

In the title compound, C(10)H(10)O(2), the 1-indanone unit is essentially planar (r.m.s.