Cao Derong

Synthesis and host-guest properties of pillar[6]arenes

A facile method for the synthesis of pillar[6]arenes was developed. A series of pillar[6]arenes were prepared with FeCl3 as catalyst and chloroform as solvent at room temperature in moderate yields (30%–40%). Their host-guest properties with n-cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide were investigated by 1 HNMR. The results showed that high selectivity in the host-guest relationship became apparent between pillar[6]arenes and pillar[5]arenes based on the different size of the inner cavity.

D-A-π-A organic sensitizers containing a benzothiazole moiety as an additional acceptor for use in solar cells

Three novel triphenylamine-based D-A-π-A-featured dyes (Z1–Z3) have been designed, synthesized and characterized for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. Benzothiazole was incorporated as an additional acceptor, which greatly enhanced the molar extinction coefficient of the dyes. Various conjugated linkers, such as benzene, furan and thiophene, were also introduced to configure the novel D-A-π-A framework in order to prolong electron flow and active transportation. Among all dyes, Z2 containing a thiophene linker exhibited the maximum overall conversion efficiency (η) of 4.16% (Jsc = 9.27 mA cm−2, Voc = 642 mV, FF = 0.70) under standard global AM 1.5 G solar condition.