Francisco Carlos Lavarda

Ionizing radiation induced degradation of poly (2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl- hexyloxy) -1,4-phenylene vinylene) in solution

In this paper we investigate the causes of the chromatic alteration observed in chloroform solutions of poly (2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) after gamma ray irradiation. Structural and chemical changes were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and complemented by electronic structure calculations. The results indicate chlorine incorporation in the polymer structure and main chain scission after irradiation. Based on our findings we propose that the main mechanism for the blue-shifts, observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of MEH-PPV after irradiation, is the result of a radical attack on the polymer main chain. Gamma rays generate radicals, •Cl and •CHCl2 from chloroform radiolysis that attack preferentially the vinyl double bonds of the polymer backbone, breaking the electronic conjugation and eventually the chain. Our results indicate that oxygen does not play a major role in the effect. Electronic spectra simulations were performed based on these assumptions reproducing the UV-Vis experimental results.In this paper we investigate the causes of the chromatic alteration observed in chloroform solutions of poly (2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) after gamma ray irradiation. Structural and chemical changes were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and complemented by electronic structure calculations. The results indicate chlorine incorporation in the polymer structure and main chain scission after irradiation. Based on our findings we propose that the main mechanism for the blue-shifts, observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of MEH-PPV after irradiation, is the result of a radical attack on the polymer main chain. Gamma rays generate radicals, •Cl and •CHCl2 from chloroform radiolysis that attack preferentially the vinyl double bonds of the polymer backbone, breaking the electronic conjugation and eventually the chain. Our results indicate that oxygen does not play a major rol...

Modelling polymers with side chains: MEH-PPV and P3HT

Modelling polymers with side chains is always a challenge once the degrees of freedom are very high. In this study, we present a successful methodology to model poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly[3-hexylthiophene] (P3HT) in solutions, taking into account the influence of side chains on the polymer conformation. Molecular dynamics and semi-empirical quantum mechanical methods were used for structure optimisation and evaluation of optical properties. The methodology allows to describe structural and optical characteristics of the polymers in a satisfactory way, as well as to evaluate some usual simplifications adopted for modelling these systems. Effective conjugation lengths of 8-14.6 and 21 monomers were obtained for MEH-PPV and P3HT, respectively, in accordance with experimental findings. In addition, anti/syn conformations of these polymers could be predicted based on intrinsic interactions of the lateral branches.

Effect of the length of alkyl side chains in the electronic structure of conjugated polymers

Computational modeling studies of conjugated polymers have been shown to present many challenges. One such challenge is to find ways to reduce the computational cost for these studies without compromising the quality of the results. An approach longly used in the literature for this purpose is replacing long alkyl side chains (with six or more carbons) with a methyl group. This work reports on a theoretical study conducted with the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene), which contains a hexyl side chain attached to the monomer, to verify the influence of the size of the alkyl side chain on its electronic structure. The results indicated that, for polymers containing long alkyl side chains, replacement with a propyl group offered full saturation of all properties under review, showing it to be a good approach.

Xeractinol: a new flavanonol C-glucoside from Paepalanthus argenteus var. argenteus (Bongard) Hensold (Eriocaulaceae)

New compound isolated from methanolic extract from the leaves of Paepalanthus argenteus var. argenteus (Bongard) Hensold was characterized as xeractinol, a new dihydroflavonol C-glucoside. The structure was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, MS, HREIMS, IR and UV). Ab initio electronic structure calculations support our proposal to the molecular structure. The dihydroflavonol herein isolated may serve as taxonomic marker of Paepalanthus subgenus Xeractis, because this flavonoid have not been reported in any other taxon of Eriocaulaceae.

The correlation between electronic structure and antimalarial activity of alkoxylated and hydroxylated chalcones

Chalcones have shown potential to several pharmacological applications including antimalarial properties. We employed multivariate data analysis to correlate the antimalarial activity with electronic structure descriptors obtained through quantum mechanical calculations. The results show high statistical significance and bring valuable insights in order to design new compounds.

Theoretical investigation of geometric configurations and vibrational spectra in citric acid complexes

The performance of advanced electronic ceramics is directly related to the synthesis route employed. Sol-gel methods are widely used for this purpose. However, the physicochemical intermediate steps are still not well understood. Better understanding and control of these processes can improve the final quality of samples. In this work, we studied theoretically the formation of metal complexes between citric acid and lithium or barium metal cations with different citric acid/metal proportions, using Density Functional Theory electronic structure calculations. Infrared and Raman scattering spectra were simulated for the more stable geometric configurations. Using this methodology, we identified some features of complexes formed in the synthesis process. Our results show that the complexes can be distinguished by changes in the bands assigned to C=O, COH-, and COO

Design of diblock co-oligomers as low bandgap small molecules for organic solar cells

Abstract The properties of a particular kind of small molecule that is built from two oligomers of different monomers, i.e. a diblock co-oligomer, as the electron donor in the active layer of organic solar cells are investigated theoretically. For these molecules, this work shows that it is possible to predict the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals by knowing the same energies for the oligomers that constitute the diblock, opening the possibility of designing new materials with optimal energy levels and optical properties. Furthermore, it was observed that the optical absorption bands of these diblock co-oligomers were broader than that of the constituent oligomers and also of the homopolymers, allowing greater absorption of photons and possibly an improved electric current in the device. It was also shown that these phenomena are size-dependent.

Theoretical-Experimental Photophysical Investigations of the Solvent Effect on the Properties of Green- and Blue-Light-Emitting Quinoline Derivatives

This paper describes the investigations on the solvatochromic effect and the photophysical properties of quinoline derivatives, compounds with potential applicability in optoelectronic devices. Using an experimental and theoretical approach, the effect of the solvent and the insertion of the phenyl, nitro, amino and dimethylamino group in the quinoline backbone were investigated. The use of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations provided the bases for the understanding of the energetic transitions observed in the absorption and fluorescence experiments. In general, it was observed a change in the wavelength of maximum absorption and fluorescence quantum yield of the studied compounds caused by the substituents in the quinoline core. This effect was correlated with the solvent dielectric constants.

Excited state absorption spectra of dissolved and aggregated distyrylbenzene: A TD-DFT state and vibronic analysis

A time-dependent density functional theory study is performed to reveal the excited state absorption (ESA) features of distyrylbenzene (DSB), a prototype π-conjugated organic oligomer. Starting with a didactic insight to ESA based on simple molecular orbital and configuration considerations, the performance of various density functional theory functionals is tested to reveal the full vibronic ESA features of DSB at short and long probe delay times.

Febrifugine derivative antimalarial activity: quantum mechanical predictors

Plasmodium falciparum resistant strain development has encouraged the search for new antimalarial drugs. Febrifugine is a natural substance with high activity against P. falciparum presenting strong emetic property and liver toxicity, which prevent it from being used as a clinical drug. The search for analogues that could have a better clinical performance is a current topic. We aim to investigate the theoretical electronic structure by means of febrifugine derivative family semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations, seeking the electronic indexes that could help the design of new efficient derivatives. The theoretical results show there is a clustering in well-defined ranges of several electronic indexes of the most selective molecules. The model proposed for achieving high selectivity was tested with success.