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A new non-fullerene small molecule acceptor IDT2ST-4F bearing a bisalkylthiothiophene unit as the π-bridge was designed and synthesized, which exhibited a low optical bandgap of 1.43 eV. The optimized organic solar cells based on PBDB-T:IDT2ST-4F gave a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.43% with a relatively low energy loss of 0.58 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we designed and synthesized a new small molecule donor DRC4TB with an alkylthiothienyl-substituted benzodithiophene as the core and 3-butyl rhodanine as the terminal group, which showed an optical bandgap of 1.87 eV. DRC4TB was compatible with both a fullerene acceptor (PC71BM) and an unfused-ring nonfullerene acceptor (HF-PCIC). The optimized DRC4TB:PC71BM and DRC4TB:HF-PCIC solar cells delivered comparable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 8.53% and 8.68%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new A2–π–A1–π–A2-type small molecule denoted as BDD–IN was synthesized employing a strong electron-withdrawing unit, 3-bis(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-5,7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1,2:4,5-c′]-dithiophene-4,8-dione (BDD) as the central acceptor unit (A1), thiophene-alkoxy benzene-thiophene as the π-bridge, and indenedione (IN) as the end-capped unit (A2). An optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.70% with a high open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.965 V and a high fill factor (FF) of 72.3% was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While photocatalytic conversion of CO2 is a promising approach for the production of renewable fuels, it has always suffered from low yield and poor selectivity, thus the artful design of catalytic sites holds the key to addressing this issue. Herein, we construct Au–Pd alloy catalytic sites on TiO2 {101} facets for robust CO2 conversion to hydrocarbons through a photo-induced alloying strategy. The Au–Pd alloy provides abundant sites for CO2 adsorption and activation, in which the uniformly dispersed Pd atoms could synchronously act as hydrogenation centers. The synergistic effect of Au and Pd, in combination with the photogenerated electron-rich nature of TiO2 {101} facets, is proposed to account for the highly efficient CO2 reduction. Remarkably, the optimal sample has achieved a high selectivity of 85% (71%: CH4, 14%: C2H4 and C2H6) for hydrocarbons with an evolution rate of 14.3 μmol g−1 h−1. This work provides new insights into the design of active sites for CO2 photoreduction, and highlights the significance of surface structure engineering in improving selectivity towards high grade carbon products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) photocatalysts with a network structure are presently attracting enormous research interests due to their excellent properties, such as a high specific surface area, high adsorptive capacity, high structure stability, low gas resistance and a large number of exposed active sites, which suggest it could act as a promising candidate for solar energy conversion or environmental pollution elimination. This review first introduces the limiting factors for the photocatalytic efficiency of such photocatalysts and the corresponding solutions. Then, the superiorities of 3D network photocatalysts are highlighted. Importantly, we summarize the most common 3D photocatalysts and their synthetic strategies. Furthermore, the most important applications, including solar energy storage and conversion and photocatalytic pollutant degradation, are also discussed. Finally, this review presents some perspectives concerning the challenges and new directions of 3D photocatalysts with a network structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes the gold-catalyzed synthesis of fused polycyclic indoles from substituted 2-(1H-indol-1-yl) alkylamines and alkynoic acids in water under microwave irradiation. This protocol proceeds in high atom economy and leads to the generation of two rings, together with the formation of one new C–C bond and two new C–N bonds in a single operation. The advantages of the method include a short reaction time, excellent yield, easy work-up, and the use of microwave irradiation and an environmentally benign solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]