Taifeng Liu

Anthraceno-Perylene Bisimides: The Precursor of a New Acene

A controlled synthesis strategy for a anthracene-fused perylene bisimide was developed from the cyclization of an anthracene unit pendant to a perylene diimide scaffold. The direct cyclization led to a zigzag molecule, while a Diels-Alder strategy influenced the regiochemistry of cyclization to afford the linear precursor of a new acene.

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Novel Monoadducts and Bisadducts Based on Amide Methanofullerene

Four new [6,6]-phenyl-C(61) and C(71) butylsaure n-dibutyl amides (PCBDBA) with mono- and bis-adduction on C(60) and C(70) cages, respectively, have been synthesized as models to study the effect of the mono- and bis-adduction on fullerene cages on device performance when used as electron acceptors with the donor of regioregular P3HT in bulkheterojunction organic photovoltaics (BHJ-OPV). The optoelectronic, electrochemistry, and photovoltaic properties of these mono- and bis-products were fully investigated. The best device performance of these fullerene derivatives were obtained from the two monoadducts with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.77% for C(60) derivative and 1.90% for C(70) derivative, respectively, which are close to PCBMs 2.43%. The results revealed the structure-function relationship among the monoadduct and bisadduct derivatives of C(60) and C(70) with the BHJ-OPV performance.

Solid Supramolecular Architecture of a Perylene Diimide Derivative for Fluorescent Enhancement

A new p-phenylenevinylene-linked perylene diimide has been synthesized and self-assembled for the formation of zero-dimensional molecular aggregate structures of nanospheres and vesicles through solvent tuning. The solid-state optical properties induced by a special wavelength laser were studied and the results indicated excellent fluorescent enhancement properties. The emission intensity of these aggregates increased with elongation of the laser irradiation time. Based on the analysis of variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectra, DFT calculations, and the single-crystal structure of the linkage group, a conformation-dependent fluorescent enhancement mechanism could be demonstrated. The mechanism is different from the fluorescent bleaching of normal solid-state fluorescent materials and offers potential applications in optical devices.

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Dihydroxyperylene Bisimides for the Tuning of Photophysical Properties

The synthesis of 1,10-dihydroxyperylene bisimides by nucleophilic substitution of brominated perylene bisimide is described. 1,10-Dihydroxyperylene bisimides formed J aggregates in nonpolar solvents and showed a clearly redshifted absorption band. The solvent polarity also influenced the hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl group, and thus, the photophysical properties of perylene bisimide. The photophysical properties of these dihydroxyperylene perylene bisimides can also be tuned by changing charge transfer from the hydroxyl groups to the perylene core through the introduction of metal ions.

Self-assembly of a tripyrenylboron molecule towards solid sensor for fluoride anions

We have succeeded in the synthesis of a novel triarylboron compound TPB, in which an electron-accepting B atom is connected to three electron-donating pyrene molecules. Through the method of supramolecular self-assembly, this donor–acceptor molecule can easily form solid supermolecular structures, such as 1D nanowires, nanofibers, nanorods and highly orderly-patterned microslice arrays, which all showed blue-fluorescence. Interestingly, a unique feature was observed: the solid fluorescence of these supermolecular aggregates could be quenched by fluoride anions. This result indicated that these solid superstructural materials have a potential application in the detection and separation of fluoride anions.

A Facile Way for Synthesis of High Performance Electron Receptor MCB: A Promising Replacer of PCBM

Methyl 4-C61-benzoate (MCB) series fullerene materials with low cost and high yield, including monoadduct (MCBM) and bisadduct (MCBB) compounds, were synthesized and their photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated. Fabricated photovoltaic devices based on both two materials showed power conversion efficiency of 3.48% and 0.16%, respectively. The MCBM exhibited higher PCE relative to PCBMs 3.40%. The LUMO energy level of MCBM was 0.03 eV lower than that of PCBM, and it was facile to be synthesized by two steps with high yield of 55% from low-cost industrial commercials, whose molecular weight was 868.0 g/mol. This work supplied new route to design fullerene materials as PCBMs alternative.