| 1. |
- Skov, Anders B., et al.
(author)
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Excited‐State Topology Modifications of the Dihydroazulene Photoswitch Through Aromaticity
- 2019
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In: ChemPhotoChem. - : Wiley. - 2367-0932. ; 3:8, s. 619-629
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The gain and loss of aromaticity plays a key role in organic chemistry and in the prediction of rate‐determining steps. Herein, we explore the concept of aromaticity in photoisomerization reactions. Benzannulated derivatives of the dihydroazulene‐vinylheptafulvene (DHA‐VHF) photoswitch were investigated using transient absorption spectroscopy and time‐dependent density functional theory to elucidate the effect of built‐in aromaticity on the switching properties. We found that benzannulation hampered the switching ability by enhancing an already existing barrier on the excited state surface. This enhancement was found to arise from a significant loss of aromaticity in the DHA‐to‐VHF transition state on the excited state potential energy surface. The VHF was found to be highly aromatic on the excited state surface, showing a reversal of aromaticity compared to the ground state. The barrier was found to be dependent on the position of benzannulation, since one derivative was found to switch as fast as the non‐benzannulated molecule although with lower efficiency, whereas another derivative completely lost the ability to undergo reversible photoswitching. The findings herein provide novel principles for the design of molecular photoswitches, shedding new light on excited state aromaticity, as previous discussions have mainly considered excited state aromaticity to be beneficial to switching. Our findings show that this view must be reconsidered.
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| 2. |
- Rein, Christian, et al.
(author)
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Element-specific investigations of ultrafast dynamics in photoexcited Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles in solution
- 2021
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In: Structural Dynamics. - : AIP Publishing. - 2329-7778. ; 8:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ultrafast, light-induced dynamics in copper-zinc-tin-sulfide (CZTS) photovoltaic nanoparticles are investigated through a combination of optical and x-ray transient absorption spectroscopy. Laser-pump, x-ray-probe spectroscopy on a colloidal CZTS nanoparticle ink yields element-specificity, which reveals a rapid photo-induced shift of electron density away from Cu-sites, affecting the molecular orbital occupation and structure of CZTS. We observe the formation of a stable charge-separated and thermally excited structure, which persists for nanoseconds and involves an increased charge density at the Zn sites. Combined with density functional theory calculations, the results provide new insight into the structural and electronic dynamics of CZTS absorbers for solar cells.
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