| 1. |
- Emanuelsson, Rikard, et al.
(author)
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Configuration- and Conformation-Dependent Electronic-Structure Variations in 1,4-Disubstituted Cyclohexanes Enabled by a Carbon-to-Silicon Exchange
- 2014
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In: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 20:30, s. 9304-9311
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cyclohexane, with its well-defined conformers, could be an ideal force-controlled molecular switch if it were to display substantial differences in electronic and optical properties between its conformers. We utilize sigma conjugation in heavier analogues of cyclohexanes (i.e. cyclohexasilanes) and show that 1,4-disubstituted cyclohexasilanes display configuration-and conformation-dependent variations in these properties. Cis- and trans-1,4-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-cyclohexasilanes display a 0.11 V difference in their oxidation potentials (computed 0.11 V) and a 0.34 eV difference in their lowest UV absorption (computed difference between first excitations 0.07 eV). This is in stark contrast to differences in the corresponding properties of analogous all-carbon cyclohexanes (computed 0.02 V and 0.03 eV, respectively). Moreover, the two chair conformers of the cyclohexasilane trans isomer display large differences in electronic-structure-related properties. This enables computational design of a mechanically force-controlled conductance switch with a calculated single-molecule ON/OFF ratio of 213 at zero-bias voltage.
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| 2. |
- Emanuelsson, Rikard, et al.
(author)
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Cross-hyperconjugation : An unexplored orbital interaction between pi-conjugated and saturated molecular segments
- 2013
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In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - : Wiley. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773. ; 52:3, s. 983-987
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Crossing a barrier: Molecules with saturated ER2 units (E=C or Si, R=electron-releasing group) inserted between two π-conjugated segments have electronic and optical properties that resemble those of cross-conjugated molecules (see figure). This cross-hyperconjugation provides a deeper understanding of the conjugation phenomenon, and is an alternative to cross-conjugation in the design of molecules for nano and materials applications.
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| 3. |
- Finke, Aaron D., et al.
(author)
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The 6,6-Dicyanopentafulvene Core : A Template for the Design of Electron-Acceptor Compounds
- 2015
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In: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 21:22, s. 8168-8176
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The electron-accepting ability of 6,6-dicyanopentafulvenes (DCFs) can be varied extensively through substitution on the five-membered ring. The reduction potentials for a set of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-substituted DCFs, with varying substituents at the para-position of the phenyl rings, strongly correlate with their Hammett sigma(p)-parameters. By combining cyclic voltammetry with DFT calculations ((U)B3LYP/6-311+G(d)), using the conductor-like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) for implicit solvation, the absolute reduction potentials of a set of twenty DCFs were reproduced with a mean absolute deviation of 0.10eV and a maximum deviation of 0.19eV. Our experimentally investigated DCFs have reduction potentials within 3.67-4.41eV, however, the computations reveal that DCFs with experimental reduction potentials as high as 5.3eV could be achieved, higher than that of F-4-TCNQ (5.02eV). Thus, the DCF core is a template that allows variation in the reduction potentials by about 1.6eV.
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| 4. |
- Lissau, Jonas Sandby, et al.
(author)
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Anchoring Energy Acceptors to Nanostructured ZrO2 Enhances Photon Upconversion by Sensitized Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Under Simulated Solar Flux
- 2013
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 117:28, s. 14493-14501
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photon upconversion by sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (UC-STTA) is a promising strategy for boosting the theoretical maximum efficiency of single threshold solar cells, in particular, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, we report a substantial increase in the efficiency of UC-STTA on a nanostructured surface, using noncoherent excitation light with intensities as low as 0.5 mW cm(-2), easily achieved under sun illumination. The studied surface was a mesoporous ZrO2 film working as a proxy system for the study of photophysics relevant to DSSCs. A well-known UC-STTA "emitter" dye, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA), was chemically modified to yield methyl 4-(10-p-tolylanthracen-9-yl)benzoate (MTAB), which was chemisorbed onto ZrO2. The "sensitizer" dye, platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP), was free in butyronitrile (BuN) solution surrounding the ZrO2 nanostructure. A rigorous oxygen removal minimized photodegradation of the dyes and enhanced triplet-triplet annihilation efficiency. The system already approaches the so-called "strong annihilation limit" at light intensities below 8 mW cm(-2). Highly efficient triplet-triplet annihilation is a requisite for the use of UC-STTA in DSSCs. Time-resolved data show that the limiting process in the UC-STTA mechanism of the present system is the dynamic triplet energy transfer step from PtOEP in solution to MTAB on the surface of ZrO2. This result can guide the way toward a better understanding and further efficiency improvement of UC-STTA on nanocrystalline metal oxides.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Lissau, Jonas Sandby, et al.
(author)
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Photon Upconversion from Chemically Bound Triplet Sensitizers and Emitters on Mesoporous ZrO2 : Implications for Solar Energy Conversion
- 2015
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 119:46, s. 25792-25806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photon upconversion by sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (UC-STTA) is studied in systems with triplet sensitizers and emitter molecules cochemisorbed onto nanostructured ZrO2 films. UC-STTA is a promising strategy to overcome the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of single-threshold solar cells. The dye-loaded mesoporous ZrO2 films studied herein allow high molecular densities and are good proxy systems for the study of photophysics relevant to dye-sensitized solar cells. Two sensitizer/emitter dye pairs are studied: platinum(II) deuteroporphyrin IX dicarboxylic acid/4,4'-(10-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)dibenzoic acid and platinum(II) deuteroporphyrin IX dimethyl ester/methyl 4-(10-(p-tolyl)anthracen-9-yl)benzoate. Both dye pairs are closely related to the standard UC-STTA molecular pair platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP)/9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA). By chemically anchoring the upconverting dye pairs onto ZrO2 films a significant improvement in UC-STTA efficiency is achieved with respect to previously studied cophysisorbed PtOEP/DPA. Controlled variation of the sensitizer/emitter dye ratios onto the surface shows that new energy loss mechanisms appear at high sensitizer surface coverage. Spectral signatures of porphyrin aggregates suggest separate sensitizer domains form, which limits the triplet sensitization of emitter molecules. The nanosecond time scale rise and decay of the observed UC emission are likely linked to the sample stability over time; UC emission is observed 1 year after sample preparation. These are promising properties for the application of this type of system for solar energy conversion.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Lissau, Jonas Sandby, et al.
(author)
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What Limits Photon Upconversion on Mesoporous Thin Films Sensitized by Solution-Phase Absorbers?
- 2015
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 119:9, s. 4550-4564
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photon upconversion by sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (UC-STTA) is a promising strategy for breaking the Shockley-Queisser limit for efficiency of single-threshold solar cells, and in particular dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, we report on a heterogeneous UC system, where the annihilating dyes (emitters) are bound to a ZrO2 nanostructured film and the light absorbing dyes (sensitizers) are free in solution. A comparative study of four different emitter dyes was conducted, all of them derivatives of the well-known UC-STTA emitter dye 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA), and in every case, the sensitizer dye was platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP). The physical separation of emitter and sensitizer molecules in two different phases makes homogeneous triplet-triplet annihilation among sensitizers in solution a significant loss channel at high excitation intensity and low emitter surface coverage. For the studied emitter dyes, the number and type of anchor groups, and the solubility of the emitter dye in the employed solvents, are the determining factors of the UC output. The signal evolves in time and with light exposure due to emitter desorption and light-induced endoperoxide formation. These results can guide the way toward a better understanding of UC-STTA on nanocrystalline metal oxides and its development for solar energy applications.
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| 9. |
- Nauroozi, Djawed, et al.
(author)
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The Heavier Analogues of Alkenes : A Theoretical Comparison of Unsaturated Group 15/14 Systems
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 1434-1948 .- 1099-1948 .- 1099-0682. ; :5, s. 709-717
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this comprehensive study on unsaturated phosphorus compounds of the type R-P=CR2, R-P=N-R, and R-P=P-R, we investigated how the electronic, spectroscopic, and geometric parameters are influenced by different substituents by means of ab initio and DFT methods. The parent systems are studied with highly accurate theoretical methods and used to benchmark DFT methods. The substituent effects are rationalized based on orbital analysis of DFT calculations for phos-phaalkenes, iminophosphanes, and diphosphenes in comparison with their analogous alkenes and imines. Theoretical data are also compared to experimental data if available. This study provides a broad picture of the use of DFT methods for unsaturated main group systems. Trends obtained from this study will enable a rational molecule design for selective manipulation of electronic and geometric properties.
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| 10. |
- Tibbelin, Julius, et al.
(author)
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1,4-Disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene : a molecular building block that allows for remarkably strong neutral cyclic cross-hyperconjugation
- 2014
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In: Chemical Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2041-6520. ; 5:1, s. 360-371
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 2,3,5,6-Tetraethyl-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes with either four chloro (1a), methyl (1b), or trimethylsilyl (TMS) (1c) substituents at the two silicon atoms were examined in an effort to design rigid compounds with strong neutral cross-hyperconjugation between pi- and sigma-bonded molecular segments arranged into a cycle. Remarkable variations in the lowest electronic excitation energies, lowest ionization energies, and the first oxidation potentials were observed upon change of substituents, as determined by gas phase ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and cyclic voltammetry. A particularly strong neutral cyclic cross-hyperconjugation was observed in 1c. Its lowest electron binding energy (7.1 eV) is distinctly different from that of 1b (8.5 eV). Molecular orbital analysis reveals a stronger interaction between filled pi(C=C) and pi(SiR2) group orbitals in 1c than in 1a and 1b. The energy shift in the highest occupied molecular orbital is also reflected in the first oxidation potentials as observed in the cyclic voltammograms of the respective compounds (1.47, 0.88, and 0.46 V for 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively). Furthermore, 1,4-disilacyclohexadiene 1c absorbs strongly at 273 nm (4.55 eV), whereas 1a and 1b have no symmetry allowed excitations above 215 nm (below 5.77 eV). Thus, suitably substituted 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes could represent novel building blocks for the design of larger cross-hyperconjugated molecules as alternatives to traditional purely cross-p-conjugated analogues, and could allow for design of molecules with properties that are not accessible to those that are exclusively pi-conjugated.
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