Electronic Properties of Novel Small-Molecule Organic Acceptor Materials in Gas-Phase, Solution and Solid-Phase and in Donor/Acceptor Interface
EMSL Project ID
48349
Abstract
In this project, we will explore, for the first time, electronic properties of the newly discovered class of potent organic acceptors and their composites with various organic donors. Using state-of-the-art spectroscopic facilities at EMSL we will determine fundamental relationships between molecular structures of new acceptor molecules and their electronic properties in the gas-phase, in solution and in thin films. This knowledge will enable the team to get insights into the charge carrier mobilities in the active films for organic photovoltaic devices. Recent report by Heliatek Inc. on the record 12% efficiency in OPVs build from small organic molecule components indicate that commercialization of OPV technology is even closer than been projected earlier. Unique properties of the new organic acceptors may provide a necessary improvement leap in the efficiencies, air stability and light-weight/flexibility requirements for designs of the next-generation OPVs. These materials are perfectly suitable molecular systems to accumulate a complete set of experimental data in all three media (gas/solid/solution) and related computational data. In this project, we shall apply the unique expertise of the CSU team in the synthesis, isolation, structural and electrochemical characterization of organic acceptor materials with the expertise of Dr. X. B. Wang from Washington State University & Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the Low-Temperature Photoelectron spectroscopy of negative ions and in collaboration with the theorist Dr. Alexey A. Popov of Leibnitz Institute of Solid State and Materials Research (Dresden, Germany) to gain fundamental knowledge of the electronic properties of new materials and their blends with donors, which will enable us to design next-generation OPV devices.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2014-10-01
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Team Members
Related Publications
Castro KP, TT Clikeman, NJ DeWeerd, EV Bukovsky, KC Rippy, IV Kuvychko, GL Hou, YS Chen, XB Wang, SH Strauss, and OV Boltalina. 2016. "Incremental Tuning Up of Fluorous Phenazine Acceptors." Chemistry - A European Journal 22(12):3930–3936. doi:10. 1002/chem. 201504122