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We report here the photophysical properties of a water-soluble conjugated polythiophene with cationic side-chains. When dissolved in aqueous buffer solution (PBS, phosphate buffered saline), there is ordering of the polymer chains due to the presence of the salts, in contrast to pure water, where a random-coil conformation is adopted at room temperature. The ordering leads to a pronounced colour change of the solution (the absorption maximum shifts from 400 nm to 525 nm). Combining resonance Raman spectroscopy with density functional theory computations, we show a significant backbone planarization in the ordered phase. Moreover, the ratio of ordered phase to random-coil phase in PBS solution, as well as the extent of intermolecular interactions in the ordered phase, can be tuned by varying the temperature. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that the excited- state behaviour of the polyelectrolyte is strongly affected by the degree of ordering. While triplet state formation is favoured in the random-coil chains, the ordered chains show a weak yield of polarons, related to interchain interactions. The investigated polyelectrolyte has been previously used as a biological DNA sensor, based on optical transduction when the conformation of the polyelectrolyte changes during assembly with the biomolecule. Therefore, our results, by correlating the photophysical properties of the polyelectrolyte to backbone and intermolecular conformation in a biologically relevant buffer, provide a significant step forward in understanding the mechanism of the biological sensing.

Methylammonium lead bromide perovskite (MAPbBr3) has been widely investigated for applications in visible perovskite light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Fine-tuning of the morphology and of the crystal size, from the microscale down to the quantum confinement regime, has been used to increase the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). However, the physical processes underlying the PL emission of this perovskite remain unclear. Here, we elucidate the origin of the PL emission of polycrystalline MAPbBr3 thin films by different spectroscopic techniques. We estimate the exciton binding energy, the reduced exciton effective mass, and the trap density. Moreover, we confirm the coexistence of free carriers and excitons, quantifying their relative population and mutual interaction over a broad range of excitation densities. Finally, the enhanced PLQY upon crystal size reduction to the micro- and nanometer scale in the presence of additives is attributed to favored excitonic recombination together with reduced surface trapping thanks to efficient passivation by the additives.

The transfer of charge at the molecular level plays a fundamental role in many areas of chemistry, physics, biology and materials science. Today, more than 60 years after the seminal work of R. A. Marcus, charge transfer is still a very active field of research. An important recent impetus comes from the ability to resolve ever faster temporal events, down to the attosecond time scale. Such a high temporal resolution now offers the possibility to unravel the most elementary quantum dynamics of both electrons and nuclei that participate in the complex process of charge transfer. This review covers recent research that addresses the following questions. Can we reconstruct the migration of charge across a molecule on the atomic length and electronic time scales? Can we use strong laser fields to control charge migration? Can we temporally resolve and understand intramolecular charge transfer in dissociative ionization of small molecules, in transition-metal complexes and in conjugated polymers? Can we tailor molecular systems towards specific charge-transfer processes? What are the time scales of the elementary steps of charge transfer in liquids and nanoparticles? Important new insights into each of these topics, obtained from state-of-the-art ultrafast spectroscopy and/or theoretical methods, are summarized in this review., Structural Dynamics, 4 (6), ISSN:2329-7778

Organometal halide perovskites have emerged as promising next-generation solar cell technologies presenting outstanding efficiencies. However, many questions concerning their working principles remain to be answered. Here, we present a detailed study of hole transfer dynamics into polymeric hole transporting materials (HTMs), poly(triarylamine) (PTAA), poly(3-hexylthiophee-2,5-diyl (P3HT), and poly[2,6-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) (PCPDTBT). The hole transfer dynamics are shown to occur on a time scale of thousands of picoseconds, being orders of magnitude slower compared to hole transfer involving commonly used Spiro-OMeTAD as HTM.

We reveal some of the key mechanisms during charge generation in polymer:fullerene blends exploiting our well-defined understanding of the microstructures obtained in pBTTT:PCBM systems via processing with fatty acid methyl ester additives. Based on ultrafast transient absorption, electro-absorption, and fluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy, we find that exciton diffusion through relatively phase-pure polymer or fullerene domains limits the rate of electron and hole transfer, while prompt charge separation occurs in regions where the polymer and fullerene are molecularly intermixed (such as the co-crystal phase where fullerenes intercalate between polymer chains in pBTTT:PCBM). We moreover confirm the importance of neat domains, which are essential to prevent geminate recombination of bound electron-hole pairs. Most interestingly, using an electro-absorption (Stark effect) signature, we directly visualize the migration of holes from intermixed to neat regions, which occurs on the subpicosecond time scale. This ultrafast transport is likely sustained by high local mobility (possibly along chains extending from the co-crystal phase to neat regions) and by an energy cascade driving the holes toward the neat domains.

Electron transfer and subsequent charge separation across donor-acceptor heterojunctions remain the most important areas of study in the field of third- generation photovoltaics. In this context, it is particularly important to unravel the dynamics of individual ultrafast processes (such as photoinduced electron transfer, carrier trapping and association, and energy transfer and relaxation), which prevail in materials and at their interfaces. In the frame of the National Center of Competence in Research “Molecular Ultrafast Science and Technology,” a research instrument of the Swiss National Science Foundation, several groups active in the field of ultrafast science in Switzerland have applied a number of complementary experimental techniques and computational simulation tools to scrutinize these critical photophysical phenomena. Structural, electronic, and transport properties of the materials and the detailed mechanisms of photoinduced charge separation in dye- sensitized solar cells, conjugated polymer- and small molecule-based organic photovoltaics, and high-efficiency lead halide perovskite solar energy converters have been scrutinized. Results yielded more than thirty research articles, an overview of which is provided here.

Linking covalently both electron donor and acceptor components is an efficient way to gain thermodynamic control over the formation of well-ordered heterojunction materials suitable for organic photovoltaics. In this context, we attached flexible polymer segments to the termini of a (perylene bisimide)–quaterthiophene–(perylene bisimide) triad. The microphase segregation of the resulting coil-rod-coil architecture served to reliably promote the formation of lamellar phases. The lamellae were oriented vertically relative to the substrate, and they could be laterally aligned by mechanical rubbing, as determined by small and wide angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and AFM. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that light absorption was followed by charge separation and that charge recombination was slower in thin films than for solution-phase samples, especially when longer side chains were used. Thus, this study is a first step towards reliable lamellar phase segregation in donor–acceptor materials on the route towards improved materials for organic photovoltaics.

The first observation that PBBTPD, a low bandgap, ambipolar conjugated donor-acceptor (DA) polymer based on benzobisthiadiazole (BBT), possesses an open-shell singlet ground state as well as a thermally accessible triplet state is described. Similarly, interesting electronic behavior in semiconducting organic DA oligomers based on BBT is also observed. Theoretical predictions have suggested that such behavior is due to the biradicaloid character of BBT and we provide experimental evidence indicating that these predictions are correct. Furthermore, the open shell character strengthens as the conjugation length increases, as observed in the BBT-based polymer, PBBTPD. We show that this biradicaloid structure is observed in each BBT moiety along the chain and that therefore PBBTPD is in fact a polyradicaloid. This observation will most likely aid in the development of better n-type polymeric acceptors for organic semiconductor applications. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 287-293

PBDTTPD is one of the best conjugated polymers for solar cell applications (up to 8.5% efficiency). We have investigated the dynamics of charge generation in the blend with fullerene (PCBM) and addressed highly relevant topics such as the role of bulk heterojunction structure, fullerene excitation, and excess energy. We show that there are multiple charge separation pathways. These include electron transfer from photoexcited polymer, hole transfer from photoexcited PCBM, prompt (100 fs) charge generation in intimately mixed polymer:fullerene regions (which can occur from hot states), as well as slower electron and hole transfer from excitons formed in pure PBDTTPD or PCBM domains (diffusion to an interface is necessary). Very interestingly, all the charge separation pathways are highly efficient. For example, the yield of long-lived carriers is not significantly affected by the excitation wavelength, although this changes the fraction of photons absorbed by PCBM and the amount of excess energy brought to the system. Overall, the favorable properties of the PBDTTPD:PCBM blend in terms of morphology and exciton delocalization allow excellent charge generation in all circumstances and strongly contribute to the high photovoltaic performance of the blend.

Light-induced charge formation is essential for the generation of photocurrent in organic solar cells. In order to gain a better understanding of this complex process, we have investigated the femtosecond dynamics of charge separation upon selective excitation of either the fullerene or the polymer in different bulk heterojunction blends with well-characterized microstructure. Blends of the pBTTT and PBDTTPD polymers with PCBM gave us access to three different scenarios: either a single intermixed phase, an intermixed phase with additional pure PCBM clusters, or a three-phase microstructure of pure polymer aggregates, pure fullerene clusters and intermixed regions. We found that ultrafast charge separation (by electron or hole transfer) occurs predominantly in intermixed regions, while charges are generated more slowly from excitons in pure domains that require diffusion to a charge generation site. The pure domains are helpful to prevent geminate charge recombination, but they must be sufficiently small not to become exciton traps. By varying the polymer packing, backbone planarity and chain length, we have shown that exciton diffusion out of small polymer aggregates in the highly efficient PBDTTPD:PCBM blend occurs within the same chain and is helped by delocalization.

In the last few years, tremendous research interest has been focused on two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, following progress in processing of layers with atomic-size thickness. Among them, molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanoflakes have shown unique optical and electrical properties. They are excellent absorbers, despite being ultrathin, with high exciton-binding energies that make excitonic transitions evident even at room temperature. Bulk and few-layer MoS 2 are indirect band gap semiconductors, while its monolayer is a direct band gap semiconductor. Also, bound trions have been reported in monolayer MoS 2 , due to strong interactions between excitons and charges and spatial confinement of the photoexcited species. Ultrafast spectroscopy has brought important clarification to the aforementioned properties in MoS 2 nanoflakes and has unraveled their carrier dynamics and transport properties. However, the strong dependence of the fundamental properties on the nanoflake size and preparation process clearly shows that additional research is needed to understand the rich and unusual photophysics in this system. Therefore, we have used time-resolved absorption and THz transmission spectroscopy to shed light on the photophysical properties of solution-processed, few-layer MoS 2 nanoflakes with subpicosecond temporal resolution. Using different excitation photon energies and fluences, we have resolved the carrier and exciton relaxation, the recombination processes and the corresponding time scales. Also, we have used the spectrum of the complex photoconductivity in the THz region to study the carrier transport properties in the nanoflakes as a function of number of layers.

In this feature article, we review and examine evidence that the primary photoexcited species in conjugated polymers is considerably delocalized. Localization occurs via a series of complex relaxation mechanisms on the

The development of conjugated materials bearing electron-rich and electron-poor units along their backbone introduces new possibilities to control functionality for organic electronic applications through charge transfer character in ground and excited states. A thorough understanding of intramolecular dipoles and their evolution during excited state relaxation is necessary in order to fully exploit this opportunity. PCDTBT is an alternating donor–acceptor copolymer with high photovoltaic efficiency in bulk heterojunction solar cells. We use time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state to study PCDTBT and the dTBT and CDTBT model compounds, fragments of the polymer chain. Higher solubility and slower relaxation make CDTBT particularly suitable to understand the mechanism of charge transfer relaxation in this class of materials. A progressive increase of charge transfer character from the initially moderately polar excited state is mainly driven by solvent reorganization and some torsional rearrangements. Similar relaxation in solid state CDTBT might ultimately lead to the formation of separate charges.

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) across molecular/bulk interfaces has gained attention only recently and is still poorly understood. These interfaces offer an excellent case study, pertinent to a variety of photovoltaic systems, photo- and electrochemistry, molecular electronics, analytical detection, photography, and quantum confinement devices. They play in particular a key role in the emerging fields of third-generation photovoltaic energy converters and artificial photosynthetic systems aimed at the production of solar fuels, creating a need for a better understanding and theoretical treatment of the dynamics and mechanisms of interfacial PET processes. We aim to achieve a fundamental understanding of these phenomena by designing experiments that can be used to test and alter modern theory and computational modeling. One example illustrating recent investigations into the details of the ultrafast processes that form the basis for photoinduced charge separation at a molecular/bulk interface relevant to dye-sensitized solar cells is briefly presented here: Kinetics of interfacial PET and charge recombination processes were measured by fs and ns transient spectroscopy in a heterogeneous donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) system, where D is a RuII(terpyridyl-PO3)(NCS)3 complex, B an oligo-p-phenylene bridge, and A nanocrystalline TiO2. The forward ET reaction was found to be faster than vibrational relaxation of the vibronic excited state of the donor. Instead, the back ET occurred on the ?s time scale and involved fully thermalized species. The D-A distance dependence of the electron transfer rate was studied by varying the number of p-phenylene units contained in the bridge moiety. The remarkably low damping factor ? = 0.16 Å?1 observed for the ultrafast charge injection from the dye excited state into the conduction band of TiO2 is attributed to the coupling of electron tunneling with nonequilibrium vibrations redistributed on the bridge, giving rise to polaronic transport of charges from the donor ligand to the acceptor solid oxide surface.

There has been long-standing debate on how free charges are generated in donor:acceptor blends that are used in organic solar cells, and which are generally comprised of a complex phase morphology, where intermixed and neat phases of the donor and acceptor material co-exist. Here we resolve this question, basing our conclusions on Stark effect spectroscopy data obtained in the absence and presence of externally applied electric fields. Reconciling opposing views found in literature, we unambiguously demonstrate that the fate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs—whether they will dissociate to free charges or geminately recombine—is determined at ultrafast times, despite the fact that their actual spatial separation can be much slower. Our insights are important to further develop rational approaches towards material design and processing of organic solar cells, assisting to realize their purported promise as lead-free, third-generation energy technology that can reach efficiencies over 10%., Charge generation and transport are crucial to the performance of organic solar cells, but the mechanism remains controversial. Causa' et al. show that the phase morphology of polymer:fullerene blends determines the exciton dissociation at femtoseconds, although the spatial separation can occur at picoseconds.

PBDTTPD is a conjugated polymer with high power conversion efficiency if used in organic solar cells together with fullerene derivatives. We have investigated forthe first time the excited state dynamics of pristine PBDTTPD thin film as well as the ultrafast evolution of charge carriers in PBDTTPD:PCBM bulk heterojunction blend using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. In the latter, charges appear within the time resolution of the experiment (80% of charges survive after 1 ns; the rest recombines (most probably geminately) on the 200 ps time scale.

Conjugated polymers with alternating electron- withdrawing and electron-donating groups along their back- bone (donor−acceptor copolymers) have recently attracted attention due to high power conversion efficiency in bulk heterojunction solar cells. In an effort to understand how the bandgap in a typical donor−acceptor copolymer is reduced by internal charge transfer character and what the implications of this charge transfer are, we have synthesized the isolated repeat unit (CDTBT) of the photovoltaically highly successful PCDTBT polymer. We compare here the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the polymer, the repeat unit, and the separate carbazole donor and dithienylbenzothiadiazole acceptor moieties (CB and dTBT, respectively) in the solid state and in solutions of various polarity. The results are interpreted with the help of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. We identify the dominant electronic transitions responsible for the first two absorption bands in the "camel back" spectrum of PCDTBT as partial charge transfer transitions with significant delocalization in the directly excited states. The low bandgap, overall shape, and partial charge transfer character of the PCDTBT absorption spectrum originate from transitions in the dTBT unit. The attached CB moiety extends the conjugation length in CDTBT, rather than acting as a localized donor. Further electronic delocalization, leading to a relatively small reduction in bandgap, occurs upon polymerization. We use our finding of higher delocalization following excitation in the second absorption band to explain the increased yield of photogenerated charges from this band in PCDTBT solid thin films. Moreover, we point out the importance of initial delocalization in the functioning of bulk heterojunction solar cells. The results presented here are therefore not only highly important for a better understanding of donor−acceptor copolymers in general but can also potentially guide the strategic development of future photovoltaic materials.

This article presents a critical discussion of the various physical processes occurring in organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on recent experimental results. The investigations span from photoexcitation to charge separation, recombination, and sweep-out to the electrodes. Exciton formation and relaxation in poly[N-9?-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) and poly-3(hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are discussed based on a fluorescence up-conversion study. The commonly accepted paradigm describing the conversion of incident photons into charge carriers in the BHJ material is re-examined in light of these femtosecond time-resolved measurements. Transient photoconductivity, time-delayed collection field, and time-delayed dual pulse experiments carried out on BHJ solar cells demonstrate the competition between carrier sweep-out by the internal field and the loss of photogenerated carriers by recombination. Finally, an emerging hypothesis is discussed: that bimolecular recombination accounts for the majority of recombination from short circuit to open circuit in optimized solar cells, and that bimolecular recombination is bias- and charge-density-dependent. The study of recombination loss processes in organic solar cells leads to insights into what must be accomplished to achieve the ideal solar cell.

The nature and time evolution of the primary excitations in the pristine conjugated polymer, PCDTBT, are investigated by femtosecond-resolved fluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy. The extensive study includes data from PCDTBT thin film and from PCDTBT in chlorobenzene solution, compares the fluorescence dynamics for several excitation and emission wavelengths, and is complemented by polarization-sensitive measurements. The results are consistent with the photogeneration of mobile electrons and holes by interband π−π* transitions, which then self-localize within about 100 fs and evolve to a bound singlet exciton state in less than 1 ps. The excitons subsequently undergo successive migrations to lower energy localized states, which exist as a result of disorder. In parallel, there is also slow conformational relaxation of the polymer backbone. While the initial self-localization occurs faster than the time resolution of our experiment, the exciton formation, exciton migration, and conformational changes lead to a progressive relaxation of the inhomogeneously broadened emission spectrum with time constants ranging from about 500 fs to tens of picoseconds. The time scales found here for the relaxation processes in pristine PCDTBT are compared to the time scale (

The excited-state dynamics of five derivatives of the GFP-chromophore, which differ by the position and nature of their substituents, has been investigated in solvents of various viscosity and polarity and in rigid media using femtosecond-resolved spectroscopy. In polar solvents of low viscosity, like acetonitrile or methanol, the fluorescence decays of all compounds are multiexponential, with average lifetimes of the order of a few picoseconds, whereas in rigid matrices (polymer films and low temperature glasses), they are single exponential with lifetimes of the order of a few nanoseconds and fluorescence quantum yields close to unity. Global analysis of the fluorescence decays recorded at several wavelengths and of the transient absorption spectra reveals the presence of several excited-state populations with slightly different fluorescence and absorption spectra and with distinct lifetimes. These populations are attributed to the existence of multiple ground-state conformers. From the analysis of the dependence of the excited-state dynamics on the solvent and on the nature of the substituents, it follows that the nonradiative deactivation of all these excited chromophores involves an intramolecular coordinate with large amplitude motion. However, depending on the solvent and substituent, additional channels, namely, inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bond assisted nonradiative deactivation, are operative. This allows tuning of the excited-state lifetime of the chromophore. Finally, an ultrafast photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer is observed in polar solvents with one derivative bearing a dimethylaminophenyl substituent.

In this study, we describe synthesis, characterization, and zipper assembly of yellow p-oligophenyl naphthalenediimide (POP-NDI) donor-acceptor hybrids. Moreover, we disclose, for the first time, results from the functional comparison of zipper and layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly as well as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and molecular modeling data on zipper assembly. Compared to the previously reported blue and red NDIs, yellow NDIs are more pi-acidic, easier to reduce, and harder to oxidize. The optoelectronic matching achieved in yellow POP-NDIs is reflected in quantitative and long-lived photoinduced charge separation, comparable to their red and much better than their blue counterparts. The direct comparison of zipper and LBL assemblies reveals that yellow zippers generate more photocurrent than blue zippers as well as LBL photosystems. Continuing linear growth found in QCM measurements demonstrates that photocurrent saturation at the critical assembly thickness occurs because more charges start to recombine before reaching the electrodes and not because of discontinued assembly. The found characteristics, such as significant critical thickness, strong photocurrents, large fill factors, and, according to AFM images, smooth surfaces, are important for optoelectronic performance and support the existence of highly ordered architectures.

The excited-state dynamics of a series of electron donor-acceptor bridged systems (DABS) consisting of a boron-dipyrromethene chromophore covalently linked to a dinitro-substituted triptycene has been investigated using femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. The chromophores differ by the number of bromine atom substituents. The fluorescence lifetime of the DABS without any bromine atom is strongly reduced when going from toluene to polar solvents, this shortening being already present in chloroform. This effect is about 10 times weaker with a single bromine atom and negligible with two bromine atoms on the chromophore. The excited-state lifetime shortening is ascribed to a charge transfer from the excited chromophore to a nitrobenzene moiety, the driving force of this process depending on the number of bromine substituents. The occurrence of this process is further confirmed by the investigation of the excited-state dynamics of the chromophore alone in pure nitrobenzene. Surprisingly, no correlation between the charge separation time constant and the dielectric properties of the solvents could be observed. However, a good correlation between the charge separation time constant and the diffusional reorientation time of the chromophore alone, measured by fluorescence anisotropy, was found. Quantum chemistry calculations suggest that quasi-free rotation about the single bond linking the chromophore to the triptycene moiety permits a sufficient coupling of the donor and the acceptor to ensure efficient charge separation. The charge separation dynamics in these molecules is thus controlled by the reorientational motion of the donor relative to the acceptor.

We have used a femtosecond-resolved spectroscopic technique based on the Stark effect (electromodulated differential absorption) in order to investigate free charge generation and charge drift in solar cell devices of neat conjugated polymer pBTTT and in its 1:1 (by weight) blend with PCBM. In the latter, the fullerene molecules intercalate between the polymer side-chains, yielding a co-crystal phase. Our results show that free charge generation in both materials is ultrafast and strongly dependent on the applied reverse bias. Charge drift to the electrodes (under strong reverse bias) occurs with comparable dynamics on the 1.2 ns time scale for neat pBTTT and the blend, and is probably dominated by hole transport within/between polymer chains.

Ultrafast infrared transient absorption spectroscopy is used to study the photoinduced bimolecular electron transfer reaction between perylene in the first singlet excited state and 1,4-dicyanobenzene in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. Following vibrational marker modes on both donor and acceptor sides in real time provides direct insight into the structural dynamics during the reaction. A band narrowing on a time scale of a few tens of picoseconds observed on the antisymmetric CN stretching vibration of the dicyanobenzene radical anion indicates that a substantial part of the excess energy is channeled into vibrational modes of the product, despite the fact that the reaction is weakly exergonic. An additional narrowing of the same band on a time scale of several hundreds of picoseconds observed in acetonitrile only is interpreted as a signature of the dissociation of the geminate ion pairs into free ions.

Herein is reported an investigation towards the stereoselective synthesis of inherently chiral pseudorotaxanes. Chiral ammonium threads were readily prepared in five steps from racemic or enantiopure (M or P) salts of di-n-propyl-1,13-dimethoxyquinacridinium cation. Their self-assembly with DB24C8 or disymmetrically oriented DB24C8F6 rings formed pseudorotaxanes as shown by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy as well as MS measurements. A determination of the association constants (Ka) was afforded. The crucial role played by the ammonium counter-ion in the threading process was further demonstrated as salts of TRISPHAT (tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato)phosphate(V)) anion were quite more effective than their PF6- analogues (x 7.3). A general lack of diastereoselectivity (de

The effect of the excitation wavelength on the charge recombination (CR) dynamics of several donor−acceptor complexes (DACs) composed of benzene derivatives as donors and of tetracyanoethylene or pyromellitic dianhydride as acceptors has been investigated in polar solvents using ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy. Three different wavelength effects have been observed. (1) With complexes exhibiting two well-separated charge-transfer bands, the CR dynamics was found to be slower by a factor of about 1.5 upon excitation in the high-energy band. This effect was measured in both fast and slow relaxing solvents and was discussed in terms of different DAC geometries. (2) When the CR is faster than diffusive solvation, a slowing down of the CR with increasing excitation wavelength accompanied by an increase of the nonexponential character of the dynamics was measured. This effect appears only when exciting on the red edge of the charge-transfer absorption band. (3) When the driving force for CR is small, both nonequilibrium (hot) and thermally activated CR pathways can be operative. The results obtained with such a complex indicate that the relative contribution of these two paths depends on the excitation wavelength.

Since charge separation in organic photovoltaics takes place between n- and p-type semiconductors, their interface should be maximized within the active layer, while charge percolation pathways to the electrodes should be ensured. One way to obtain an ideal and thermodynamically stable morphology is to covalently link n- and p-type semiconductors, provided a sufficiently high internal order is achieved. To this end, we have synthesized a perylene-quaterthiophene-perylene triad substituted with poly(isobutene) segments that induce order at the nanoscale via microphase segregation. Charge separation under selective illumination on the quaterthiophene or perylene moiety was investigated by steady state and transient absorption spectroscopy, and related to the molecular packing and phase morphology deduced from electron and grazing incidence X-ray diffractions. Photoluminescence was quenched due to charge separation within the triad. In solution, these charges quickly recombined, but were shown to have a longer lifetime in films, which is beneficial for charge collection in photovoltaic devices. We have also investigated whether alignment of the supramolecular aggregates affects the photophysics.

Rigid p -octiphenyl rods were used to create helical tetrameric π-stacks of blue, red-fluorescent naphthalene diimides that can span lipid bilayer membranes. In lipid vesicles containing quinone as electron acceptors and surrounded by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as hole acceptors, transmembrane proton gradients arose through quinone reduction upon excitation with visible light. Quantitative ultrafast and relatively long-lived charge separation was confirmed as the origin of photosynthetic activity by femtosecond fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy. Supramolecular self-organization was essential in that photoactivity was lost upon rod shortening (from p -octiphenyl to biphenyl) and chromophore expansion (from naphthalene diimide to perylene diimide). Ligand intercalation transformed the photoactive scaffolds into ion channels.

We present the femtosecond spectroscopic investigation of a covalently linked dyad, PCB-P3HT, formed by a segment of the conjugated polymer P3HT (regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)) that is end capped with the fullerene derivative PCB ([6,6]-phenyl-C-61-butyric acid ester), adapted from PCBM. The fluorescence of the P3HT segment in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution is reduced by 64% in the dyad compared to a control compound without attached fullerene (P3HT-OH). Fluorescence upconversion measurements reveal that the partial fluorescence quenching of PCB-P3HT in THF is multiphasic and occurs on an average time scale of 100 ps, in parallel to excited-state relaxation processes. Judging from ultrafast transient absorption experiments, the origin of the quenching is excitation energy transfer from the P3HT donor to the PCB acceptor. Due to the much higher solubility of P3HT compared to PCB in THF, the PCB-P3HT dyad molecules self-assemble into micelles. When pure C-60 is added to the solution, it is incorporated into the fullerene-rich center of the micelles. This dramatically increases the solubility of C-60 but does not lead to significant additional quenching of the P3HT fluorescence by the C-60 contained in the micelles. In PCB-P3HT thin films drop-cast from THF, the micelle structure is conserved. In contrast to solution, quantitative and ultrafast (

The femtosecond-resolved evolution of the emission spectrum of the important conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is presented. Detailed fluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy was performed on P3HT solid-state films and on P3HT in chlorobenzene solution. Two excitation wavelengths and several emission wavelengths, covering the entire fluorescence spectrum, were used. The data were complemented by polarization-sensitive measurements. Our global analysis allowed a reconstruction of the time-resolved emission spectra with 200 Is temporal resolution, so that spectral changes due to the early relaxation processes following pi-pi* interband absorption in the pristine polymer could be comprehensively characterized. Absorption occurs in isolated polymer chains in solution and in the solid state (including interchain interactions) for the film. In both cases, we find evidence of delocalization of the electrons and holes formed in the energy bands directly after photoexcitation with excess energy. This is followed by ultrafast (similar to 100 fs) self-localization of the primary photoexcitation and by relatively slow exciton formation (similar to 1 ps). Further relaxation occurs with time constants ranging from hundreds of femtoseconds to tens of picoseconds, due to exciton hopping to sites with lower energy and to a slow conformational planarization of the polymer backbone. Depolarization, a spectral red shift, and important changes in the vibronic structure are observed as a consequence of this relaxation. Finally, relaxed intrachain and interchain singlet excitons are formed in solution and film, respectively, on a 100-200 ps time scale. They decay with a similar to 500 ps time constant, by intersystem crossing in solution and by nonradiative recombination in the film. Our results are consistent with and strongly support the conclusions we obtained from a similar time-resolved fluorescence study of the polymer PCDTBT (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 17459): ultrafast charge separation in polymer:fullerene blends seems to occur before localization of the primary excitation to form a bound exciton.

The photophysics and excited-state dynamics of two dyads consisting of either a free-base or a zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin linked through a rigid bridge to a core-substituted naphthalenediimide (NDI) have been investigated by femtosecond-resolved spectroscopy. The absorption and fluorescence spectra differ substantially from those of the individual units, pointing to a substantial coupling and to a delocalisation of the excitation over the whole molecule, as confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations. A strong dependence of their excited-state dynamics on the solvent polarity has been observed. In toluene, the fluorescence quantum yield of the dyads is of the order of a few percent and the main decay channel of the emitting state is proposed as intersystem-crossing to the triplet state. However, in a medium polarity solvent like dichloromethane, the emitting state undergoes charge separation from the porphyrin to the NDI unit within 1-3 ps, and the ensuing charge-separated state recombines in about 10-20 ps. This solvent dependence can be explained by the weak driving force for charge separation in polar solvents and the large electronic coupling between the porphyrin and NDI moieties, making charge separation a solvent-controlled adiabatic process.

The combination of visible and mid infrared transient absorption yields a direct insight into structural dynamics and determination of distinct reaction pathways in highly exergonic electron transfer, asking for refinement of existing theories.

The ion pair of the stereolabile C(3)-symmetric, i(+)o proton complex [1H](+) of diaza-macropentacycle 1 and the configurationally stable Delta-TRISPHAT ([Delta-3](-)) anion exists in the form of two diastereomers, namely, [Delta-(1.H)][Delta-3] and [Lambda-(1.H)][Delta-3], the ratio of which, in terms of diastereomeric excess (de) decreases in the order [D(8)]THF (28%)CD(2)Cl(2) (22%)CDCl(3) (20%)[D(8)]toluene (16%)C(6)D(6) (7%)[D(6)]acetone (0%) at thermodynamic equilibrium. Except in the case of [D(6)]acetone, the latter is reached after a period of time that increases from 1 h ([D(8)]THF) to 24 h (CDCl(3)). Moreover, the initial value of the de of [1.H][Delta-3] in CDCl(3), before the thermodynamic equilibrium is reached, depends on the solvent in which the sample has been previously equilibrated (sample "history"). This property has been used to show that the crystals of [1.H][Delta-3] formed by slow evaporation of CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)OH mixtures had 100% de, which indicates that [1.H][Delta-3] has enjoyed a crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation. Structural studies in solution (NMR spectroscopy) and in the gas phase by calculations at the semiempirical PM6 level of theory suggest that the optically active anion is docked on the i(+) (endo) external side of the proton complex such that one of the aromatic rings of [Delta-3](-) is inserted into a groove of [1.H](+), a second aromatic ring being placed astride the outside i(+) pocket. Solvent polarity controls the thermodynamics of inversion of the [1.H](+) propeller. However, both polarity and basicity control its kinetics. Therefore, the rate-limiting steps correspond to the ion-pair separation/recombination and [1.H](+)/1 deprotonation/protonation processes, rather than the inversion of [1H](+), the latter being likely to take place in the deprotonated form (1).

The objective with synthetic multifunctional nanoarchitecture is to create large suprastructures with interesting functions. For this purpose, lipid bilayer membranes or conducting surfaces have been used as platforms and rigid-rod molecules as shape-persistent scaffolds. Examples for functions obtained by this approach include pores that can act as multicomponent sensors in complex matrices or rigid-rod π-stack architecture for artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaics.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of advanced rigid-rod pi-stack photosystems with asymmetric scaffolds are reported. The influence of push-pull rods on self-organization, photoinduced charge separation and photosynthetic activity is investigated and turns out to be surprisingly small overall.

We have investigated the photophysics in neat films of conjugated polymer PBDTTPD and its blend with PCBM using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. This material has very high efficiency when used in organic solar cells. We were able to identify a THz signature for bound excitons in neat PBDTTPD films, pointing to important delocalization in those excitons. Then, we investigated the nature and local mobility (orders of magnitude higher than bulk mobility) of charges in the PBDTTPPD:PCBM blend as a function of excitation wavelength, fluence and pump-probe time delay. At low pump fluence (no bimolecular recombination phenomena), we were able to observe prompt and delayed charge generation components, the latter originating from excitons created in neat polymer domains which, thanks to delocalization, could reach the PCBM interface and dissociate to charges on a time scale of 1 ps. The nature of the photogenerated charges did not change between 0.5 ps and 800 ps after photo-excitation, which indicated that the excitons split directly into relatively free charges on an ultrafast time scale.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of photoinduced stack/rod electron transfer in surface "zipper" architectures composed of stacks of blue (B) naphthalenediimides (NDIs) along strings of oligophenylethynyl (OPE) rods. The synthesis and characterization of anionic and cationic multichromophoric OPE-B systems are reported. Absorption spectra suggest that in OPE-B systems, planarity and thus absorption and conductivity of the OPE can possibly be modulated by intramolecular stacking of the surrounding NDIs, although interfering contributions from aggregation remain to be differentiated. Among surface architectures constructed with OPE-B and POP-B systems by zipper and layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly, photocurrents generated by OPE-B zippers exhibit the best critical thickness and fill factors. These findings confirm the existence and functional relevance of topologically matching zipper architectures. In OPE-B zippers, OPEs generate much more photocurrent than the blue NDIs. Ultrafast electron transfer from OPEs to NDIs accounts for these photocurrents, providing wavelength-controlled access to rod–stack charge separation, and thus to formal supramolecular n/p-heterojunctions (SHJs). NDI excitation is not followed by the complementary hole transfer to the OPE rod. Scaffolds with higher HOMOs will be needed to integrate blue NDIs into SHJ photosystems.

We focused on the low-temperature fabrication (∼100 °C) of nanoparticle-based NiOx hole transport layers for organic solar cells. We used high molecular weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a sacrificial additive for the processing of NiOx nanoparticle (NP) dispersions which is removed from the film by oxygen plasma prior to the active layer deposition. Through comprehensive characterization by optical, electrical and scanning probe techniques we show that an optimal NiOx : PEO ratio allows to disperse the NPs, hindering their aggregation and maximizing device performance. Finally, we demonstrate the practical relevance of our approach by inkjet printing the NiOx:PEO blends to produce hole transport layers (HTLs) for P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells with comparable efficiencies to devices produced with high-temperature precursor-based approaches. The utilization of P3HT:PCBM as active layer material is meant to offer an optimum standard for the introduction of the presented HTL processing approach and its applicability to a wider range of hybrid systems and multilayer optoelectronic devices.

In an effort to develop new materials for organic solar cell applications, we have synthesized triads of 3,6-dithien-2-yl-2,5-dialkylpyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4-dione (DTDPP) covalently linked at the nitrogen positions to two [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid ester (PCB) units via alkyl chains of different lengths. We present here the excited-state properties of the compounds in solution, as investigated by (time-resolved) spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of the triads are the composite of the ones recorded with the separate fullerene and DTDPP parent molecules, indicating weak electronic coupling between the sub-units. However, the fluorescence quantum yield drops from 74% in pure DTDPP to