Perfluorocycloparaphenylenes: Fully fluorinated carbon nanorings by Ni-mediated one-pot synthesis

Perfluorinated aromatic compounds, the so-called perfluoroarenes, are widely used in materials science owing to their high electron affinity and characteristic intermolecular interactions. However, methods to synthesize highly strained perfluoroarenes have remained elusive so far, which greatly limits their structural diversity. Herein, we report the synthesis and isolation of perfluorocycloparaphenylenes (PFCPPs) as a class of ring-shaped perfluoroarenes. Using macrocyclic nickel complexes, we succeeded in synthesizing PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12, 14, 16) in one-pot without noble metals. The molecular structures of PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12) were determined by X-ray crystallography to confirm their tubular alignment. Photophysical and electrochemical measurements revealed that PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12) exhibit wide HOMO–LUMO gaps, high electron affinity, and strong phosphorescence at low temperature. PFCPPs are not only useful as electron-accepting organic semiconductors but can also be used for accelerating the creation of topologically unique molecular nanocarbon materials.

Improved Breakdown Strength of Polypropylene Film by Polycyclic Compounds Addition for Power Capacitors

In this paper, an improved method for the electric performance of polypropylene (PP) film was proposed to promote the safety and stability of power capacitors. Modified PP films containing three different polycyclic compounds were prepared, which showed good thermal properties and decreased DC conductivity. The DC breakdown strength of the modified PP films under both positive and negative voltage is increased compared with that of the original film. The deep traps introduced by polycyclic compounds and the decreased carrier mobility give an explanation of the decreased DC conductivity. A quantum chemistry calculation was further performed to clarify the mechanism for improving electrical performance, presenting that polycyclic compounds with a high electron affinity and low ionization energy can capture high-energy electrons, protecting the PP molecular chain from attack, and then increase the breakdown strength. It is concluded that the modified PP films by polycyclic compounds have great potential in improving the insulating properties of power capacitors.

High Efficient and Continuous Triboelectric Power Harvesting based on Porous β-phase Poly (vinylidene fluoride) Aerogel

Non-additive β-phase porous poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) aerogel with high electron affinity is successfully prepared through simple solvent exchange method. The as-prepared additive-free PVDF aerogel shows high output performance used...

Synthesis and characterization of solution processable, high electron affinity molecular dopants

New organic-soluble dopants have record high electron affinity values and show outstanding doping performance with high ionization energy co-polymers.

Development of Perylene-Based Non-Fullerene Acceptors through Bay-Functionalization Strategy

Perylene has had a tremendous impact in the history of material research for the molecular semiconductors. Among numerous derivatives of this polyaromatic hydrocarbon, perylene diimide (PDI) represents a promising class of organic materials envisioned as non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) for the practical organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications due to their enhanced photo- and thermal stability and remarkably high electron affinity, some of which realize band-like transport properties. The present review guides some of the representative achievements in the development of rationally designed PDI systems, highlighting synthetic methodologies based on bay-functionalization strategies for creating well-designed molecular nanostructures and structure-performance relationship of perylene-based small molecular acceptors (SMAs) for the photovoltaic outcomes.