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In the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the design of polymer binders, particularly through manipulation of sidechain chemistry, plays a pivotal role in optimizing electrode stability, ion transport, and adaptability to the volume changes during cycling. In particular, poly[3-(potassium-4-butanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KBT) increases magnetite and silicon capacity and cycling stability. This work explores the impact of polythiophene alkyl sidechain length on anode characteristics, aiming to enhance performance in LIBs. P3KBT and its alkyl chain alternatives, poly[3-(potassium-5-pentanoate)thiophene-2, 5-diyl] (P3KPT) and poly[3-(potassium-6-hexanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KHT) were systematically investigated over 300 charge–discharge cycles. The experiments were designed to assess how varying side-chain length affects the stability, ion transport, and capacity retention of the electrodes. The results revealed that P3KHT, with its longer alkyl chain, exhibited superior capacity retention and reduced charge-transfer resistance after 300 cycles compared to its shorter chain analogs. The findings demonstrate that tailored side chains can improve ion transport, structural integrity, and capacity retention, addressing critical challenges in LIBs such as capacity fade and electrode degradation. This research contributes to the development of next-generation LIBs with enhanced performance and reliability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The industrialization of organic solar cells (OSCs) faces challenges due to complex synthesis routes and high costs of organic photovoltaic materials. To address this, we designed and synthesized a series of polythiophene‐based donor materials, PTVT‐T‐xCl (20%Cl, 50%Cl and 100%Cl), by introducing different degrees of chlorine substitution within their conjugated skeletons. The incorporation of chlorine atoms does not change the planar conformation of the conjugated main chain of the control polymer, PTVT‐T, but effectively reduces their HOMO energy levels (≤ –5.3 eV) and alters the crystallinity of the polymers. In addition, when preparing OSC by blending with non‐fused electron acceptor A4T‐16, the non‐radiative energy loss of the three photovoltaic devices gradually decreased with the increase of chlorine content (0.343, 0.278 and 0.189 eV, respectively). Notably, PTVT‐T‐20%Cl exhibited a more moderate nanoscale phase separation with the acceptor, leading to efficient exciton dissociation, lower bimolecular recombination, and thus a favorable current in the OSCs. Consequently, the photovoltaic device based on PTVT‐T‐20%Cl:A4T‐16 achieved a remarkable photovoltaic efficiency of 11.8%. In addition, the PTVT‐T‐xCl series polymers show much lower material‐only‐cost (MOC) values than the other reported photoactive material systems. This work provides the way for the development of low‐cost photovoltaic materials and the industrial application of OSC, overcoming previous limitations posed by high energy losses in polythiophene‐based donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study reports the synthesis and application of a polythiophene–iron oxide (PTh‐Fe0‐Fe2O3) nanocomposite as a highly effective catalyst for the selective reduction of nitro aromatics in an aqueous environment. The nanocomposite was synthesized using in situ chemical polymerization, with Fe0‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles created from ferric chloride solution using Camellia sinensis leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent at room temperature. Characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, SEM–EDX, TEM, XPS, and UV–Vis spectroscopy, confirmed the successful integration of Fe0‐Fe2O3 into the polythiophene matrix. The nanocomposite demonstrated higher electrical conductivity compared to PTh alone, ranging from 20 S/cm at 313 K to 53 S/cm at 373 K. Magnetic studies indicated a saturation magnetization of 23.1 emu/g, lower than the 42.6 emu/g of Fe0‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles, attributed to the non‐magnetic nature of PTh. Under optimal conditions (4‐nitrobenzaldehyde [1 mmol], catalyst [0.04 g], and water [5 mL] in air), the catalyst achieved a 94% yield in the reduction of nitrobenzenes within 7 h, demonstrating broad applicability and retaining significant catalytic activity over six cycles. Furthermore, the PTh‐ Fe0‐Fe2O3 nanocomposite exhibited notable methanol gas sensing capabilities, with a sensitivity of 52.6 at 200‐ppm methanol. The sensor exhibited a response time of 60 s and a recovery time of 80 s, attributed to its n‐type semiconductor characteristics and abundant oxidative‐reductive sites. Computational studies supported the methanol sensing mechanism, highlighting significant O… S interactions and stable non‐covalent interactions between methanol and the nanocomposite. This study is the first to introduce a novel magnetic nanocatalyst for the cost‐effective and eco‐friendly reduction of nitroarenes, while also demonstrating its applicability in gas sensing. The research highlights an environmentally sustainable synthesis process and enhanced material properties, showcasing the nanocatalyst's potential for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supercapacitive properties of the polythiophene (PTh) and its composites with iron dust synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization are investigated. The UV–Vis, FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, and EDX were used to characterize the composites. Iron (Fe) dust is inserted into PTh matrix as confirmed by FTIR, UV–Vis, EDX, and XRD analysis. The TGA shows that composites have higher thermal stability than pure PTh. The SEM reveals highly porous and packed morphology of the composites as compared to pure PTh. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) show that a 1:1 ratio by mass of PTh and Fe composite displayed greater specific capacitance than pure PTh. The high specific capacitance of the composite material (428.46 F/g at 1 A/g) suggested that the material is suitable for supercapacitor electrode. Cyclic stability is also tested for 1000 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g with excellent retention of 88.89%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents metal-free N–S co-doped catalysts that synthesize in the presence of different S sources such as thiourea and polythiophene (Ptyf). The composition, morphology, and structure of the obtained sample are measured by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform ınfrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although the characterization measurements showed that the fabricated catalysts had a similar elemental composition, the polythiophene-based catalysts retained their polymer properties such as active surface area, conductivity, and conjugated chains. This result enhances the adsorption of CO2 to the catalyst surface and promotes the reduction of CO2 effectively. The only product is HCOOH with a faradaic efficiency of 84% which was achieved on P-N/S2-rGO (P: pyrolysis) at -0.6 V (Ag/AgCl). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we utilized nanocomposites prepared from nanosilica (SiO2) and various polythiophene derivatives as enhancement additives for acrylic coatings. The nanocomposites were synthesized in a nitrogen environment using FeCl3 as a catalyst in a chloroform solvent. The weight ratio of nanosilica to monomers was 2/1, specifically for the compounds (5-benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-7-methoxy-2-(thiophen-3-yl)benzo[d]oxazole (P1), 3-(2-benzothiazolyl)thiophene (P2), and 5-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2-(thiophene-3-yl)benzo[d]oxazole (P3). Analysis techniques including IR, TGA, SEM, and UV–Vis were employed to demonstrate the formation of polythiophenes on the surface of the nanosilica. The presence of polythiophenes on the nanosilica broadened the UV absorption region. Upon adding the nanocomposites to acrylic coatings, the UV absorption intensity of the coatings was increased. Notably, the coating containing SiO2-P3 nanocomposite exhibited the highest abrasion resistance among all the investigated samples. By varying the content of SiO2-P3 nanocomposite, we observed enhanced abrasion resistance, adhesion, pencil hardness, and gloss of the acrylic coating. The maximum values were achieved when the content of SiO2-P3 nanoparticles was 2 wt.%. The SiO2-P3 nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the acrylic coatings, leading to an improvement in the coating's sunlight-reflective ability. Consequently, the acrylic/SiO2-P3 nanocomposite coatings exhibited potential for outdoor applications, particularly as UV-resistant coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible light-responsive antimicrobial coatings are of importance for antibacterial applications owing to widespread multidrug-resistant infections. Herein, the photocatalytic disinfection performance of an all-organic poly[2,11′-thiophene-ethylene-thiophene-alt-(2,5-(3-carboxyl)-thiophene] (PTET-T-COOH)/polyurethane (PU) coating was synthesized and evaluated. The coating consists of both a protective PU layer and a photoactive layer (PTET-T-COOH), which was prepared using isocyanate groups as linkers, then fabricated by drop-casting. The chemical linkage between PTET-T-COOH and NCO-terminated PU was researched based on ATR-FTIR and XPS analyses. The developed coating demonstrated good photocatalytic bactericidal performance on S. aureus under visible-light irradiation for 6 h. This study provided an effective platform for fabricating environmental-friendly and cheap antimicrobial surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thin film of thiophene block copolymer composed of 3-dodecylthiophene and 3-benzenesulfonato–thiophene was fabricated by using the friction-transfer method. The benzenesulfonato moiety was transformed by heating to the corresponding sulfonic acid, which induced self-doping. The obtained friction-transfer film showed different morphology from the related cast film. It was also revealed that the film indicated anisotropy parallel/perpendicular toward the drawing direction, which induced absorption dichroism and anisotropy of electric conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Integrating safety features to cut off excessive current during accidental internal short circuits in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) can reduce the risk of thermal runaway. However, making this concept practical requires overcoming challenges in both material development and scalable manufacturing. Here, we demonstrate the roll-to-roll production of a safety reinforced layer (SRL) on current collectors at a rate of 5 km per day. The SRL, made of molecularly engineered polythiophene (PTh) and carbon additives, interrupts current flow during voltage drops or overheating without adversely affecting battery performance. Impact testing on 3.4-Ah pouch cells shows that the SRL reduces battery explosions from 63% to 10%. This work underscores the potential of integrating material science with manufacturing technology to enhance battery safety. The authors present a scalable method for implementing a thermo-responsive safety reinforced layer (SRL) in batteries, which enables immediate shutdown during internal short circuits and reduces the risk of overheating and explosions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer composites with thermal conductivity are attractive for heat dissipation in electronic devices. We prepared epoxy resin‐based composite films filled with polythiophene [poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl)] (P3HT)/graphene complex or aluminum nitride (AlN). The composite films were characterized by electron microscopic observation, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermal conductivity measurements. The addition of a small content of P3HT/graphene complex (<1 wt%) increased both the out‐of‐plane and in‐plane thermal conductivities of the epoxy resin. The addition of AlN also increased thermal conductivity, but ≥40 wt% was required to obtain thermal conductivity comparable with that of an epoxy resin film doped with 0.9 wt% P3HT/graphene complex. The present results illustrate the potential of P3HT/graphene complexes as fillers for improving the thermal conductivity of epoxy resins without affecting their insulating properties. Highlights: Polythiophene/graphene fillers increased epoxy resin films' thermal conductivity.To raise the thermal conductivity of epoxy resin films high AlN content was needed.In‐plane/out‐of‐plane epoxy resin films' thermal conductivities were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach for developing an Hsp60 biosensor with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity, utilizing a nanocomposite with an aptamer-recognition surface. The biosensor was fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with a nanocomposite composed of carbon quantum dots (CQDs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and polythiophene (PTP). The integration of these constituents within the CQDs/Au/PTP nanocomposite yielded a range of advantageous attributes. These encompass elevated stability, a notable ratio of surface area to volume, outstanding electrical conductivity, considerable compatibility with biological systems, and durable resistance to both mechanical and chemical influences. The introduction of functional groups into the CQD/Au/PTP nanocomposite created multiple sites that facilitated the successful covalent attachment of aptamers (Apt), thereby enhancing the stability and sensitivity of the developed aptasensor. The measurement techniques employed in this study were Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) utilizing a probe solution. The Hsp60 protein's interaction with the immobilized aptamers resulted in a decline in electron transfer at the electrode and electrolyte junction. This caused a decrease in peak current in SWV and an increase in resistance in EIS. The changes in peak current were used to construct a calibration curve. The aptasensor that was created showed an outstanding ability to detect at a limit of 7.38 nM and was able to measure within a linear range spanning from 0.01 to 0.25 µM. Additionally, the CQDs/Au/PTP/AptHsp60 aptasensor exhibited favorable reproducibility, high selectivity, rapid response time, and excellent stability during storage. These characteristics make the aptasensor highly promising for various applications in biomedicine bioengineering and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of polythiophene/graphene oxide (PTh/GO) were prepared using chronoamperometry. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) were used for characterization purposes. PTh and PTh/GO thin films were achieved through chronoamperometry at a constant anodic potential of +1.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The PTh/GO thin films exhibited visible light absorption. The thicknesses of the thin films were approximately 2.42 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For organic photodetectors (OPDs), cathode interlayer (CIL) with low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO) energy level is required to reduce dark current density (Jd). In this study, toward application as CIL in OPDs, an alcohol‐processable n‐type conjugated polymer (n‐PT8) based on imide/cyano‐substituted polythiophene backbone and branched oligo(ethylene glycol) side chain is developed. Owing to the electron‐accepting imide/cyano groups on the backbone, n‐PT8 exhibits deep‐lying EHOMO of −5.80 eV and a high conductivity of 5.12 × 10−6 S cm−1. OPD with n‐PT8 as CIL exhibits dark current density one order of magnitude lower than that with the state‐of‐the‐art CIL material because of the large energy barrier for reverse hole injection. Moreover, the device performance is insensitive to the n‐PT8 layer thickness, which is very desirable for the mass production of OPDs. The near‐infrared (NIR) OPDs based on n‐PT8 exhibit an ultra‐low dark current density of 1.76 × 10−9 A cm−2 and a specific detectivity of 2.88 × 1012 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at −1 V. To the best knowledge, this is the first report on n‐type polythiophene derivatives as CIL in organic opto‐electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive and novel article covers an important category of nanocomposites, i.e. polymer and graphene quantum dots derived nanocomposites. Graphene quantum dots have been found as remarkable zero-dimensional derivative of graphene having size of up to 20 nm. Similar to graphene, graphene quantum dots have been applied as beneficial nano-reinforcement for the polymers. In this context, various conductive polymers (polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiophene, etc.) and thermoplastic polymers (poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl fluoride), etc.) have been used as matrices. Inclusion of graphene quantum dots in matrices have revealed superior structure, morphological, electronic, optical, photoluminescence, and several other advantageous physical characteristics. Important application areas of polymer/graphene quantum dots nanomaterials have been observed for solar cells, sensors, supercapacitors, batteries, memory devices, and bioimaging. However, further research efforts have been desirable regarding the graphene quantum dots modification and exploration of new graphene quantum dots derived nanocomposite designs and applied sectors as well as overcoming the related challenges for future progressions in this important category of nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the theoretical model based on the Mueller matrix approach, the experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) for thin films of chiral organic dyes can be expressed as the sum of several contributions, two of which are the most significant: 1) an intrinsic component (CDiso) invariant upon sample orientation, reflecting the molecular and/or supramolecular chirality, due to 3D‐chiral nanoscopic structures; 2) a non‐reciprocal component (LDLB) which inverts its sign upon sample flipping, which arises from the interaction of linear dichroism and linear birefringence in locally anisotropic domains, expression of 2D‐chiral micro/mesoscopic structures. In this work, we followed in parallel through ECD and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) the temperature evolution of the supramolecular arrangements of thin films of five structurally related chiral thiophene‐based oligomers with different LDLB/CDiso ratio. By increasing the temperature, regardless of phase transitions observed by DSC analysis, systems with strong CDiso revealed no changes in the ECD spectrum, while compounds with dominant LDLB contribution underwent a gradual (and reversible) reduction of (apparent) ECD signals. These findings demonstrated that the concomitant occurrence of intrinsic and non‐reciprocal components in the ECD spectrum of thin films of chiral organic dyes is strictly correlated with solid‐state organizations of different stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemical sensor based upon a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT-PSS) co-polymer film with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified microelectrode is reported for the determination of Fe(III). Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the AuNPs were immobilized on gold (Au) microelectrode by formation of a nanofilm with PEDOT-PSS. The individual particles and their cluster-like aggregates provide a larger active electrochemical area and higher conductivity, which facilitates the determination of Fe(III). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) shows the AuNPs/PEDOT-PSS/Au microelectrode possesses high conductivity. A low detection limit of 0.01 µM Fe(III) was obtained using the modified microelectrode by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) due to its large specific surface area, high conductivity, and the presence of more active sites. The optimized pH of the supporting acetate buffer was 2.0. The AuNPs/PEDOT-PSS/Au provided a linear range from 0.0119 μM to 7.14 μM. The modified electrode was successfully employed for the the determination of total dissolved iron in river water from Three Gorges with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A visible-light photochromic hybrid film was synthesized based on combining phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA) with the polythiophene (PTh) matrix. The microstructure and photochromic properties of the materials were analyzed through atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-vis). According to FTIR spectra, the geometries of PMoA and PTh were well preserved in hybrid film and there exists a strong interaction at the interface of PMoA and PTh. The XPS spectra revealed the change in the chemical microenvironment and the reduction of Mo6+ atoms in the photoreduction reaction. Under visible light irradiation, the composite film changed from transparent to blue and deepened gradually, generating heteropoly blue. The hybrid film also shows reversibility in the presence of oxygen. The results indicated that the photochromic reaction was inconsistent with photoinduced electron transfer mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among five crystal modifications (α, β, γ, δ, and ε), the δ‐form of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) has attracted many researches because the δ‐form of sPS has the ability to adsorb guest molecules producing clathrate or intercalate co‐crystals of sPS. Herein, sPS‐poly(3‐octyl thiophene) (P3OT) composite has been developed with the expectation of formation of P3OT aggregates onto or into the ordered structures of sPS. Nanocomposites have been characterized by DSC, FT‐IR, XRD, and absorption studies. Thermal studies show a reduction of gel melting temperature in presence of P3OT. The interaction between sPS and P3OT has been investigated by FTIR and XRD studies. Absorption spectra reveal the aggregation of P3OT chains within the sPS matrix. AFM topology is revealing the formation of fibrillar morphology of composite ruling out the possibility macroscopic phase separation within nanocomposite and rheological studies show the enhancement of the strength of sPS–P3OT composite network as compared to sPS network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecularly doped poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was used for the first time as a photocathode for reducing oxygen to H2O2. For this purpose, a P3HT film was doped with hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile, which increased the oxygen reduction current at an applied negative potential in the dark. Visible light illumination of the doped P3HT film significantly facilitated the oxygen reduction with a high current density and shifted the onset potential beyond the reaction equilibrium potential. The oxygen reduction performance of the doped P3HT film is discussed in relation to the energy level diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study polythiophene/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (Pth/n-rGO) was synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization. The correct synthesis of Pth/n-rGO nanocomposite was checked and confirmed through different spectral, elemental and morphological analysis. The supercapacitor performance of the Pth/n-rGO was higher than those of pure Pth and n-rGO in a neutral medium containing 1 M sodium sulfate. The highest energy density, specific capacitance, and power density values of 13.1 Wh kg−1, 455 F g−1, and 279 W kg−1 were achieved for the Pth/n-rGO nanocomposite. The Pth/n-rGO electrode also revealed commendable cyclic stability which it maintained 94% of its original specific capacitance and 125% coulombic efficiency during 1500 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. The superior charge-storage property of Pth/n-rGO is ascribed to the double-layer/pseudocapacitance charge storage synergistic effect. By considering the results of performance and stability for the Pth/n-rGO nanocomposite in this study, it could be good candidate for development of new supercapacitors electrode material. • The high specific capacitance value was attained as 455 F g−1. • The cyclic stability of was reached up to 94% during 1500 cycles. • The energy density of 13.1 Wh kg−1 was attained at a power density of 279 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are widely explored in the context of inorganic thermoelectrics, but not yet in organic thermoelectrics. Here, the impact of doping gradients on the thermoelectric properties of a chemically doped conjugated polymer is studied. The in‐plane drift of counterions in moderate electric fields is used to create lateral doping gradients in films composed of a polythiophene with oligoether side chains, doped with 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). Raman microscopy reveals that a bias voltage of as little as 5 V across a 50 µm wide channel is sufficient to trigger counterion drift, resulting in doping gradients. The effective electrical conductivity of the graded channel decreases with bias voltage, while an overall increase in Seebeck coefficient is observed, yielding an up to eight‐fold enhancement in power factor. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of graded films explain the increase in power factor in terms of a roll‐off of the Seebeck coefficient at high electrical conductivities in combination with a mobility decay due to increased Coulomb scattering at high dopant concentrations. Therefore, the FGM concept is found to be a way to improve the thermoelectric performance of not yet optimally doped organic semiconductors, which may ease the screening of new materials as well as the fabrication of devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose oxidase based enzymatic biofuel cell is the promising technology for implantable medical devices' power supply. It can open up opportunities for the long‐term implantation of the medical devices like pacemakers without the necessity for replacement of the batteries. Increasing of the cathode efficiency is one of the issues that should be solved before a practical application of biofuel cells. The high catalytic activity of the cathode provides a significant contribution to the efficiency of biofuel cells operation. The creation of cathodes of implantable biofuel cell with the increased power density could resolve the problem with a slow kinetics of the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction. It is especially urgent in the conditions of implantation in physiological fluids, where the oxygen concentration is relatively low. Enzymes application could be an optimal way to increase an efficiency of the cathodic reaction, but enzymes long‐time stability is still in question. Thus, non‐organic and synthetic organic catalysts are considered. In this study, a new type of a cathode for enzymatic biofuel cells is presented. This cathode combines two catalysts: inorganic with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and organic in the form of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) cross‐linked by poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE). The received electrodes were investigated by several electrochemical methods: cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and linear sweep voltammetry method on a rotating disk electrode. It was shown that the combination of PtNPs and PEDOT:PSS provides the maximum cathodic current, due to the fact that both catalysts contribute to the oxygen reduction reaction. The maximum cathodic current was 7.5 μA for an electrode containing 5 % PEGDE with PtNPs, heat‐treated for one hour at 120 °C. The electrodes without platinum nanoparticles were also investigated. This research showed that PEDOT:PSS provides a significant contribution to the overall catalytic effect demonstrated by the electrode proposed in the study. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray fluorescence analysis studies showed that the electrodes with combination of PtNPs and PEDOT:PSS were almost fully covered by catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new sensor was developed for the detection of ciprofloxacin that is easy to prepare, selective and has excellent sensitivity through electrochemical polymerization of 2-(hydroxymethyl)thiophene on glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Electrode modifications were performed by using cyclic voltammetry. The morphology and surface properties of the modified electrode were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. Determination of ciprofloxacin with poly 2-(hydroxymethyl)thiophene-modified GC electrode was performed by square wave voltammetry in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 5.00) at 1.1 V. The prepared sensor showed a wide linear range from 0.1 to 200 µM, detection limit of 7 nM, a limit of quantitation of 22 nM, a correlation coefficient of 0.9993, excellent sensitivity of 99.6% and a relative standard deviation of 0.40%. The sensor was used to determine ciprofloxacin in human urine samples, and a recovery efficiency of 99.24–100.36% was obtained. According to the results in this study, we believe that the sensor developed can be used for the detection of ciprofloxacin in clinical laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four kinds of polypyrrole-thiophene derivatives (PPy-Th) are prepared via solution polycondensation using pyrrole, 3-acylpyrrole, and 2-thenaldehyde as monomers. The structure, molecular weight, micromorphology, thermal degradation, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and luminescence performance of the derivatives are investigated by fourier transform infrared (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and fluorescence spectra. FTIR and 1HNMR confirm that the derivatives have been successfully fabricated, and GPC indicates that the derivatives belong to oligomers with narrow molecular weight distribution. For acyl-substituted derivatives, the microstructures are mainly lamellar accumulation. Furthermore, under ultraviolet excitation, the derivatives can produce blue or green light emission, corresponding to the transitions of large π electrons in the conjugated structure of the molecular chains. Especially, the maximum emission wavelengths and Stokes shifts of the acyl-substituted derivatives are markedly larger than that of the non-acyl-substituted derivatives. The fluorescence quantum yield and band gap of the PVT are 4.46% and 2.01 eV, respectively. The fabricated PPy-Th can be used as luminescent materials in the development and application of polymer light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of solar radiation by converting them into thermal energy is discussed in this paper. Nanoparticles improve the ability of heat transfer therefore, it is beneficial in the use of solar thermal systems and energy storage devices. The novel mixture of nanoparticles Graphene and Polythiophene in base fluid, which has high thermodynamic properties for the improvement of thermal effect with electromagnetic effect by using Maxwell fluid model is discussed. Polyvinyl alcohol water is taken as base fluid flowing through a moveable flat plat. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations. The semi-analytical technique, homotopy analysis method is used to obtain the solution of the ordinary differential equations. The velocity is enhanced with magnetic and electric field strength. The increase of the Prandtl number, Eckert number and chemical reaction parameter, exceeds the thermal effect which produces more entropy generation and heat enhancement. The results show that the hybrid nanofluid with this Novel mixture is highly thermodynamic with higher entropy and rapid thermal augmentation which can be used in energy production and energy storage devices. A novel intelligent numerical computing technique multi-layer perceptron with feed-forward back-propagation, an artificial neural networking method with the Levenberg-Marquard algorithm is used in this model. The data is gathered for the neural networking method training, validation, and testing. The efficiency of the model is obtained and mean square error is obtained by artificial neural networking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3-alkylthiophenes) (P3[Alkyl]T) exhibit high mobility and efficiency of formation of polaronic charge carriers generated by light absorption, thus finding applications in field effect devices. Excited states of π-stacked dimers of tetra-thiophene oligomers (T4), infinite isolated polythiophene (PT) chains, and P3[Alkyl]T crystals are modeled using configuration interaction singles (CIS) calculations. Excited states in cofacial T4 dimers are mostly localized Frenkel states except for two low energy charge transfer (CT) exciton states, which become the ionization potential and electron affinity levels of T4 molecules at large dimer separation. The lowest excited states in infinite, isolated PT chains and P3[Alkyl]T crystals are intra-chain excitons where the electron and hole are localized on the same chain. The next lowest excited states are interchain, CT excitons in which the electron and hole reside on neighboring chains. The former capture almost all optical oscillator strength and the latter may be a route to efficient formation of polaronic charge carriers in P3[Alkyl]T systems. Changes in optical absorption energies of T4 dimers as a function of molecular separation are explained using CIS calculations with four frontier orbitals in the active space. Shifts in optical absorption energy observed on going from isolated chains to P3[Alkyl]T lamellar structures are already present in single-particle transition energies induced by direct π–π interactions at short range. The electroabsorption spectrum of T4 dimers is calculated as a function of dimer separation and states that are responsible for parallel and perpendicular components of the spectrum are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we have demonstrated the synthesis of zirconia (ZrO2) and polythiophene (PTh)-based nanocomposite (ZrO2/PTh) for supercapacitors (SCs). The synthetic method was found to be efficient and low-cost. The ZrO2/PTh was characterised using different analytical techniques. The electrochemical investigations have been conducted using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The maximum specific capacitance of ZrO2/PTh was found to be 341.3 F/g under a three-electrode system. Cyclic stabilities of ZrO2/PTh have been evaluated to be 88.6% and 81.7% after 5000 cycles under three and two electrode systems, respectively. The power densities of ZrO2/PTh were found to be 1830.4, 1659.6, 1000.8, 750, 667.2, and 333.3 W/kg at energy densities of 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 1.2, and 1.9 Wh/kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop flexible thermoelectric materials with thermoelectric and mechanical properties, in this study, we designed and synthesized polythiophene derivatives with branched ethylene glycol polar side-chains named P3MBTEMT, which were used in combination with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to prepare composite thin films and flexible thermoelectric devices. A comparison was made with a polymer named P3(TEG)T, which has a polar alkoxy linear chain. The UV-vis results indicated that the larger steric hindrances of the branched ethylene glycol side-chain in P3MBTEMT could inhibit its self-aggregation and had a stronger interaction with the SWCNTs compared to that of P3(TEG)T, which was also confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. When the mass ratio of SWCNTs to P3MBTEMT was 9:1 (represented as P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.9), the composite film exhibited the highest thermoelectric properties with a power factor of 446.98 μW m−1 K−2, which was more than two times higher than that of P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.9 (215.08 μW m−1 K−2). The output power of the thermoelectric device with P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.9 was 2483.92 nW at 50 K, which was 1.66 times higher than that of P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.9 (1492.65 nW). Furthermore, the P3MBTEMT/SWCNTs-0.5 showed superior mechanical properties compared to P3(TEG)T/SWCNTs-0.5. These results indicated that the mechanical and thermoelectric performances of polymer/SWCNT composites could be significantly improved by adding polar branched side-chains to conjugated polymers. This study provided a new strategy for creating high-performing novel flexible thermoelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial defects between the organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite and hole‐transporting layers are one significant factor limiting the performance of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). These defects typically result from either lead or halide atom vacancies or under‐coordinated Pb2+ atoms, which act as recombination centers for holes. To address this, it is demonstrated that a thin layer of a poly(bithiophene ester) (PBTE) or a poly(terthiophene diester) (PTTDE) introduced between the FA0.92MA0.08Pb(I0.92Br0.08)3 (MA+ = methylammonium; FA+ = formamidinium) perovskite and spiro‐OMeTAD hole transporting material (HTM) layers improves the device stability and power‐conversion efficiency (PCE). The PCE improvements are primarily associated with enhanced open‐circuit voltage and fill factor arising from Lewis‐base passivation of under‐coordinated Pb2+ through interaction with the polymer carbonyl groups, as well as enhanced charge transfer between the perovskite and HTM layers facilitated by the conjugated thiophene functionalities of the polymeric interlayer. Furthermore, the examined polymers improve the thermal and moisture stability of the devices. Encapsulated PSCs with PBTE and PTTDE retain 89 ± 1 and 94 ± 3% of their initial PCE after 1440 h at 65 °C under 0.5‐sun irradiation, respectively, while PSCs without a polymeric interlayer lose almost half of the performance. These results can guide future designs of polymeric interlayers for high‐performance PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochromic (EC) polymer poly (3,4‐(2,2‐dimethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) (PProDOT‐Me2) is expected to be used in flexible e‐paper displays because of its great optical modulation ability and inherent flexibility. While the EC effect is primarily determined by the anions and cations in the electrolyte, yet suffers from inorganic salt based on monovalent Li+ cations and corresponding anions, such as lithium perchlorate(LiClO4), lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI), and lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate (LiTRIF), which may impact the overall EC performance of the EC device caused by insufficient ion doping/de‐doping processes. Herein, the divalent viologen cation‐based ionogel (VGE) is developed to tackle the challenge. Owing to its more anions design, the doping/de‐doping process in the PProDOT‐Me2 is more sufficient, thereby enhancing the optical modulation range (ΔR = 39.4%) of PProDOT‐Me2, compared to monovalent Li+ cation‐based ionogel (ΔR = 13.3%). Meanwhile, the VGE has good interface contact with PProDOT‐Me2 and the flexible electrode, which makes the VGE‐based EC device (V‐ECD) exhibit commendable mechanical stability. To demonstrate the potential application in flexible e‐paper displays, the simple eight‐digit EC display device is assembled from seven V‐ECDs, each of which hasa high switching speed, robust cycling stability, and low operating energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pholcodine, an anti-tussive medication widely used as an over-the-counter, OTC drug, has recently faced restrictions in several countries. This paper presents a sensitive electrochemical approach for pholcodine detection. The electrochemical method involved fabricating a graphene nanoplatelets electrode, incorporating polythiophene nanospheres polymer to promote electron transfer and increase the activated surface area. Characterization of the fabricated electrode was performed using transmission electron microscopy, ATR-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of pholcodine with the fabricated electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, square wave voltammetry (SWV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The developed electrode led to a linear response for pholcodine ranging from 10 to 45 mg/L with detection limits of 1.41 and 1.51 mg/mL for SWV and DPV, respectively and quantification limits of 4.27 and 4.57 mg/L for SWV and DPV, respectively. The proposed method has accurately recovered pholcodine in spiked serum samples with a recovery percentage ranging from 1.2 to 2.9%. The optimized method is found to be accurate, precise, and robust by applying validation parameters provided by International Council for Harmonization. Two green metrics were computed to assess the method's greenness, the findings showed that the developed method is environmentally friendly with minimum sample preparation steps. Article highlights: Fabrication of electrochemical electrode using graphene nanoplatelets modified with polythiophene nanospheres. Voltammetric analysis of pholcodine using square wave voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry with method validation according to International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Assessment of the method's greenness using two green assessment tools; analytical GREEness metric (AGREE) and complementary green analytical procedure index (ComplexGAPI) software tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a well‐studied conjugated polymer; however, the end‐group functionalization of these polymers is limited by fundamental synthetic challenges. Generally, end‐capping agents are used to terminate the Kumada catalyst transfer polycondensation (KCTP) to install functional end‐groups at the propagating chain end. In this work, it is shown that P3HT can be prepared with a novel SNAr‐active external initiator, followed by end capping to afford heterobifunctional end‐groups that exhibit orthogonal chemical reactivity. This orthogonal chemistry can be leveraged in sequential "click"‐type reactions to ultimately achieve the synthesis of triblock copolymers. More specifically, it is shown that the synthesis of a new pentafluorophenyl initiator allows one to append this readily functionalized group at the initiating end during P3HT synthesis. After reaching the desired degree of polymerization, an ethynyl group is incorporated at the polymer terminus using an end‐capping Grignard reagent. Critically, this heterobifunctional P3HT allows for both orthogonal para‐fluoro thiol reactions, a subset of nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), and copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloadditions (CuAAC). The efficacy of this heterobifunctional polymer design is demonstrated by assessing sequential "click" reactions with different nonconjugated polymer blocks to either end of the P3HT polymer block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theoretical approach for the in silico generation of new polymer structures for the systematic search for new materials with advanced properties. It is based on Bicerano's Regression Model (RM), which uses the structure of the smallest repeating unit (SRU) for fast and adequate prediction of polymer properties. We have developed the programs (a) GenStruc, for generating the new polymer SRUs using the enumeration and Monte Carlo algorithms, and (b) PolyPred, for predicting properties for a given input polymer as well as for multiple structures stored in the database files. The structure database from the original Bicerano publication is used to create databases of backbones and pendant groups. A database of 5,142,153 unique SRUs is generated using the scaffold-based combinatorial method. We show that using only known backbones of the polymer SRU and varying the pendant groups can significantly improve the predicted extreme values of polymer properties. Analysis of the obtained results for the dielectric constant and refractive index shows that the values of the dielectric constant are higher for polyhydrazides than for polyhydroxylamines. The high value predicted for the refractive index of polythiophene and its derivatives is in agreement with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies propose that NH4+ storage in metal oxides and metallic ion storage using Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) both undergo diffusion‐controlled processes. This study, employing experimental and simulation studies, reveals that flower‐like PEDOT shells predominantly store NH4+ ions storage through surface‐controlled processes, constituting over 80 percent of the overall storage. NH4+ ions interact with PEDOT′s π–π stacking via van der Waals interactions, circumventing ionization energy and entropy barriers. Additionally, the controlled polymerization and crystallinity of PEDOT contribute significantly to this storage process. The reduction in lamellar packing distance and face‐to‐face distance between the molecular chains, coupled with an increase in crystalline domains, intensifies inter‐chain weak interactions and extends the overlap length of wave functions. These findings offer a comprehensive insight into cation storage using organic polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlations of electronic and magnetic resonance parameters of spin charge carriers in thiophene oligomers with their polymerization degrees and conformations have been established by comparison of theoretically obtained density functional theory (DFT) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of titanium nitride (TiN) as an electrode for electrochemical deposition or characterization requires the removal of an insulating layer from its surface. This process was studied and optimized, and the conditions for the complete removal of this layer through treatment with oxalic acid were formulated. The obtained TiN surfaces were used for the deposition of various conducting and non-conducting polymers. Two different approaches were applied: (i) in situ electrochemical synthesis of the main classes of conducting polymers, including polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and selected derivatives thereof, and (ii) electrostatically driven layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of multilayers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. The deposited polymers were characterized by electrochemical methods. The electrochemical properties of the deposited conducting polymers and their deposition on the TiN surface were comparable to those of the metallic electrodes. The films produced via LbL deposition exhibited a pronounced influence of the charge of the last deposited polymer on the redox reaction of ferri/ferrocyanide, validating the charge alteration with each successive polymer layer deposition. The studied deposition technologies can be used for the modification of TiN surfaces required in applications of this material in chemical sensors and other devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated carbons doped with nitrogen and/or sulfur have been obtained by pyrolysis followed of steam activation of a sulfur containing polymer (polythiophene) and two nitrogen-containing polymers (polyaniline and polypyrrole). These polymers were synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization in aqueous media of their corresponding monomers. The influence of the steam activation on the textural properties and surface chemistry of the carbons has been evaluated and their catalytic activity has been determined in the hydrogenation reaction of 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene. The degree of conversion in the reaction depends on the development of adequate porosity in the activated carbon (which is determined by the activation conditions) together with the presence of heteroatoms that act as active catalytic sites, with S showing considerably greater effectiveness than N. A compromise between an acceptable level of doping with sulfur and an adequate porosity is necessary, which has been achieved in a carbon obtained from polythiophene pyrolyzed at 900 °C and steam activated at 800 °C for 4 h, with a specific surface area of 742 m2/g and S content of 1.71 at%. [Display omitted] • N and S containing polymers used as precursors of metal-free doped activated carbons. • S-doped carbons are more active than N-doped carbons in the catalytic hydrogenation of 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene. • Steam activation at high temperature develops carbon porosity but removes heteroatoms. • Compromise between S-doping and developed porosity is necessary to maximize catalytic performance. • 100 % selectivity in the hydrogenation of the nitro group towards aniline in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strong aggregation of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) severely limits its use as the hole-transport material in emerging quantum dot photodetectors and photovoltaics. Herein, we propose a facile and cost-effective strategy to control the solution-state aggregation of hole transporting layers by designing a dual polythiophene blend based on P3HT and its alkylthio-substituted analogue named Poly(3-hexylthiothiophene) (P3HTT). In our photodetector device, we have used the dual polythiophene as the hole transport layer and achieved a specific detectivity (D*) on the order of 1012 Jones. In particular, by incorporating a small amount of P3HTT into the dual polythiophene mixture, we observed a remarkable 28% performance enhancement. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the solution structure of the dual polythiophene blend, elucidates the evolution of the condensed matter structure, and ultimately presents a promising avenue for enhancing the performance of low-cost quantum dot photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐healable electroactive carboxymethyl cellulose/polythiophene/acid hydrolyzed cellulose (CMC/PTh/AHC) hydrogels were successfully fabricated. AHC particles dispersed well in the CMC matrix improving hydrogels thermal stability. The electro‐responsive performance of the hydrogels was investigated with respect to bending angle and bending sensitivity. The results showed that under an applied electric field, the CMC/PTh/AHC hydrogels bend toward a cathode electrode. In addition, the electroactive performance of the hydrogels decreased with increased AHC content. The CMC/PTh/AHC10 (10 wt.% AHC) hydrogel exhibited the shortest induction time (τind) of 3.35 ± 0.56 s. For self‐healing, it was found that the hydrogel with addition of 2 wt.% AHC had the highest self‐healing efficiency on both tensile strength and elongation at break (93.37 ± 3.17% and 99.35 ± 12.11%, respectively). While the self‐healing efficiency on bending angle was 82.73 ± 14.55%. The results demonstrated that the properties of the CMC/PTh/AHC2 hydrogel were close to its original properties after healing for 24 h. The results demonstrated that the CMC/PTh/AHC hydrogel can be utilized as an actuator or artificial muscle using electrical stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polythiophene‐based conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPE) are attracting increasing attention as sensor or interface materials in chemistry and biology. While cationic polythiophenes are better understood, limited structural information is available on their anionic counterparts. Limited access to well‐defined polymers has made the study of structure‐property relationships difficult and clear correlations have remained elusive. By combining controlled Kumada catalyst transfer polymerization with a polymer‐analog substitution, regioregular and narrowly distributed poly(6‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)hexane‐1‐sulfonate)s (PTHS) with tailored chain length are prepared. Analysis of their aqueous solution structures by small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed a cylindrical conformation for all polymers tested, with a length close to the contour length of the polymer chains, while the estimated radii remain too small (<1.5 nm) for extensive π‐stacking of the chains. The latter is particularly interesting as the longest polymer exhibits a concentration‐independent structured absorption typical of crystalline polythiophenes. Increasing the ionic strength of the solution diminishes these features as the Coulomb repulsion between the charged repeat units is shielded, allowing the polymer to adopt a more coiled conformation. The extended π‐conjugation, therefore, appears to be a key parameter for these unique optical features, which are not present in the corresponding cationic polythiophenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on successful preparation of conducting polymer nanofibers from regiorandom poly(3‐hexylthiophene). It is shown that the electrochemical properties of obtained structures are significantly improved in course of electrochemical doping process performed in the aqueous phase, moreover this process is accompanied with change of optical properties and water contact angle. These effects are not observed for polymer films. Moreover, doping of nanofibers results in pronounced, irreversible changes in the polymer structure – increased crystallinity due to incorporation of doping ions is confirmed by optical and X‐ray crystallographic studies. Ultimately, these changes lead to decreased resistance and improved electrochemical performance of nanofibers mat. As this effect is solely observed for nanofibers of conducting polymer, it can be ascribed to high surface to volume ratio of electrospun fibers mat. Therefore, it is shown for the first time that polythiophene electrochemical doping process effect is dependent on the format of the polymer applied, for nanofibers it can be regarded as attractive method of improving electrochemical properties of polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polythiophene, as a class of potential electron donor units, is widely used in organic electronics such as transistors. In this work, a novel polymeric material, PDPPTT-FT, was prepared by incorporating the electron acceptor unit into the polythiophene system. The incorporation of the DPP molecule assists in improving the solubility of the material and provides a convenient method for the preparation of field effect transistors via subsequent solution processing. The introduction of fluorine atoms forms a good intramolecular conformational lock, and theoretical calculations show that the structure displays excellent co-planarity and regularity. Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray (GIWAXS) results indicate that the PDPPTT-FT is highly crystalline, which facilitates carrier migration within and between polymer chains. The hole mobility of this π-conjugated material is as high as 0.30 cm2 V−1 s−1 in organic transistor measurements, demonstrating the great potential of this polymer material in the field of optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop a highly capable reduced graphene oxide, polythiophene, and silica-based low-cost composite material and investigate its adsorption behavior. The synthesized composite was analyzed using various analytical methods and applied to eliminate highly toxic metallic pollutants from contaminated water. Different adsorption parameters were used to decontaminate the wastewater. The best conditions for removing Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions were obtained. The adsorption efficiency was determined to be 65.9 (±0.9) % and 61.5 (±1.4) % at contact time of 60 minutes, 75.9 (±0.7) % and 76.1 (±0.8) % at 105 mg of adsorbent, 98.7 (±0.7) % and 93.2 (±0.6) % at pH 6 for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The adsorbent was re-utilized up to three times with good adsorption effectiveness. A thermodynamic study has indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption process. The pseudo second order rate constant were found to be 19.1 (±1.5) and 16.5 (±1.7) g/mg/min for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging solution‐based solar cells and photodetectors have gained worldwide research interest over the past decades. Hole transport materials (HTMs) have greatly advanced the progress of these solution‐based electronics. Nevertheless, developing low‐cost and efficient HTMs is far from satisfactory. In this contribution, poly(3‐pentylthiophene) (P3PT) is introduced as a facile, low‐cost, and versatile dopant‐free polymer HTM for both quantum dot (QD) and perovskite electronic devices. Compared to the broadly used poly(3‐hexylthiophene), P3PT presents the reduced molecular aggregation and preferential face‐on orientation, which can markedly enhance the hole‐carrier transport in optoelectronic devices. Accordingly, P3PT can deliver the substantial improvement of photovoltaic performance from ∼8.6% to ∼9.5% for QD/polythiophene solar cells and from ∼16% to ∼18.8% for perovskite/polythiophene solar cells, which are both among the topmost values in the corresponding fields. Furthermore, P3PT HTMs can also significantly enhance the photodetection performance of QD and perovskite photodetectors by a factor of ∼3, indicating its great application potential in a variety of emerging optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water‐soluble polyfuran (PF), polythiophene (PTh), and their co‐oligomers were synthesized and the formation of the oligomers was confirmed by FTIR, UV–visible, and SEM techniques. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) were used to study the biophysical interaction of these oligomers with proteins. Molecular docking studies confirmed that the interaction with HSA was higher than that for BSA and was found be via hydrogen bonding and π‐alkyl interaction. The co‐oligomers showed high binding affinity toward HSA as compared to BSA which could be utilized for developing protein sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic semiconductors are a promising material candidate for X‐ray detection. However, the low atomic number (Z) of organic semiconductors leads to poor X‐ray absorption thus restricting their performance. Herein, the authors propose a new strategy for achieving high‐sensitivity performance for X‐ray detectors based on organic semiconductors modified with high –Z heteroatoms. X‐ray detectors are fabricated with p‐type organic semiconductors containing selenium heteroatoms (poly(3‐hexyl)selenophene (P3HSe)) in blends with an n‐type fullerene derivative ([6,6]‐Phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM). When characterized under 70, 100, 150, and 220 kVp X‐ray radiation, these heteroatom‐containing detectors displayed a superior performance in terms of sensitivity up to 600 ± 11 nC Gy−1 cm−2 with respect to the bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticle (NP) sensitized organic detectors. Despite the lower Z of selenium compared to the NPs typically used, the authors identify a more efficient generation of electron‐hole pairs, better charge transfer, and charge transport characteristics in heteroatom‐incorporated detectors that result in this breakthrough detector performance. The authors also demonstrate flexible X‐ray detectors that can be curved to a radius as low as 2 mm with low deviation in X‐ray response under 100 repeated bending cycles while maintaining an industry‐standard ultra‐low dark current of 0.03 ± 0.01 pA mm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorptive denitrogenation and desulfurization are of great importance owing to their mild operating conditions, no requirement of hydrogen, and high quality of the gasoline distillate. Herein, we report the facile one-pot synthesis of CYCU-3@Al2O3 composites via the reaction of 4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid as a ligand and γ-Al2O3 beads as a support. The synthesized composites were fully characterized using various analytical instruments and applied as an adsorbent for the removal of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds (SCCs and NCCs) from a model oil. The CYCU-3@Al2O3 composite with 12.7% loading of CYCU-3 was observed to be very efficient adsorbent not only for SCCs with the adsorption capacity being 360.2 mg (1.95 mmol) dibenzothiophene per gram of MOF, 163.2 mg (1.22 mmol) benzothiophene per gram of MOF, 134 mg (1.59 mmol) thiophene per gram of MOF, but also for NCCs with the adsorption capacity being 288 mg (3.64 mmol) pyridine per gram of MOF, 315 mg (2.44 mmol) quinoline per gram of MOF, 340 mg (1.89 mmol) acridine per gram of MOF, 175 mg (1.49 mmol) indole per gram of MOF. Furthermore, about 98–99% of the desulfurization and denitrogenation capacities were recovered after the regeneration of the composites. The main factors responsible for the excellent adsorption performance of the adsorbent include its high surface area and porosity, specific pore size and presence of bridged hydroxide groups and aromatic rings in the organic ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting polymers find applications as active materials in electrochromic devices thanks to their tunable optoelectronic and electrochemical properties. Such versatility can be further enhanced by copolymerizing various aromatic monomers in order to produce new materials. In this work, we present different copolymers obtained by electropolymerization of an N‐substituted dithienylpyrrole (SNSBA) with either 3,4‐ethylendioxythiophene (EDOT) or bithiophene (BTh). The electrochemical, spectroscopic, and electrical properties were characterized across their different neutral and charged states by means of ex‐situ and in‐situ spectroelectrochemical techniques. The peculiar feature of SNSBA lies in the aniline bearing substituent of the central pyrrole unit that allows polymerization to occur at three different sites, yielding a cross‐linked polymer network. Our findings show that the SNSBA comonomer not only influences the optoelectronic properties of the final materials with respect to their homopolymers, but also induces a lowering of the hysteresis of the insulating/conducting transition (ΔEG<280 mV), likely due to the cross‐linked nature of the polymer layer. These features are promising to develop a new class of copolymers for electrochromic devices with stable, reversible, and fast operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]