Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaocong Deng, Kai Wang, Qianqian Li, Zhen Li
Summary: This study proposes a new approach to design second-order nonlinear optical polymer networks through in situ thermal crosslinking. The networks exhibit excellent optical performance and stability after in situ poling and thermal crosslinking.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Fabian Cuetara-Guadarrama, Mireille Vonlanthen, Kendra Sorroza-Martinez, Israel Gonzalez-Mendez, Ernesto Rivera
Summary: The article provides an overview of azobenzene containing dyes, polymers, and dendrimers, focusing on research results from the past 15 years. It discusses the optical and nonlinear optical properties of azobenzene dyes with large dipole moments, as well as their incorporation into polymers using various polymerization methodologies. The formation of highly structured dendrimers containing azobenzene units leads to materials with liquid crystalline behavior.
Article
Polymer Science
Anjara Morgado, Francisco Najera, Anna Lagunas, Josep Samitier, Yolanda Vida, Ezequiel Perez-Inestrosa
Summary: The study presents a novel synthesis method for preparing slightly sterically hindered amino terminal polyamide dendrimers. By utilizing an AB(2) scaffold and specific relative positions of amino groups, robust dendritic structures were successfully constructed and thoroughly characterized, demonstrating a substantial improvement in the preparation of stable dendrimers with high yield and simplified purification procedures.
Article
Polymer Science
Tathagata Mondal, Maria Nerantzaki, Kevin Flesch, Capucine Loth, Mounir Maaloum, Yidan Cong, Sergei S. Sheiko, Jean-Francois Lutz
Summary: The DNA-guided assembly of biohybrid sequence-defined poly(phosphodiester)s was investigated, resulting in the synthesis of linear or star-like superstructures. Characterization through electrophoresis, UV spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy confirmed the formation of the expected supramolecules, despite some defects. This approach offers interesting avenues for designing 2D and 3D constructs based on informational poly(phosphodiester)s.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziying Zeng, Jianhua Liu, Tongyu Luo, Zhibei Li, Juanfei Liao, Weijun Zhang, Lian Zhang, Fenggang Liu
Summary: The development of crosslinkable nonlinear optical chromophore molecular glasses with ultrahigh electro-optic coefficients and high long-term alignment stability is reported. By conducting Diels-Alder crosslinking reaction after poling, the oriented chromophores were fixed through chemical bonds, resulting in significant improvement of glass transition temperature. These materials demonstrated new breakthroughs in organic electro-optic materials for practical device explorations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhibei Li, Ziying Zeng, Shuangke Wu, Jianhua Liu, Tongyu Luo, Juanfei Liao, Ruoxi Yang, Fenggang Liu
Summary: We synthesized and investigated a series of Y-type chromophores L1-L3. The introduction of stronger acceptors does not guarantee an increase in electro-optical coefficients for all the chromophores. The rational match between the strength of the donor, acceptor, and p-conjugated bridge plays an important role in achieving a large electro-optic coefficient.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ming Xia, Fuming Li, Miriding Mutailipu, Shujuan Han, Zhihua Yang, Shilie Pan
Summary: A new magnesium fluorooxoborate crystal with promising potential for deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical applications has been synthesized, showing large nonlinearity and deep-ultraviolet phase matching wavelength, making it suitable for generating coherent light below 200 nm. The stability of the fluorooxoborate system with a general formula of MB5O7F3 (M=divalent metal) in retaining their crystallized space groups unchanged has been proposed. This demonstrates the critical performance enhancement compared to its isomorphic phases.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Kai Wang, Xiaocong Deng, Qianqian Li, Zhen Li
Summary: Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) linear-dendritic (L-D) copolymers were designed and prepared by combining a dendritic chromophore with alkyl chains or alkoxy chains. A much enhanced macroscopic NLO performance was achieved due to the lower rotational barrier of the ether bond, with the highest d(33) value of 166 pm·V-1, approximately 1.8 times that of P1 (94 pm·V-1). This finding opens up a new approach for efficiently controlling the poling efficiency and boosting the NLO performance of polymeric materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Shuqi Dai, Jinxing Li, Junichi Kougo, Huanyu Lei, Satoshi Aya, Mingjun Huang
Summary: This study demonstrated a general molecular design for emerging ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals by introducing large dipole moment and local bulkiness into rod-shaped mesogenic molecules. The extension of polar liquid crystal materials from small molecules to polymer systems provides vast technological potential for flexible supercapacitors, electro-optic devices, and nonlinear optical devices. The research also clarified that the magnitude of dipole moment plays a critical role in producing macroscopic polarity in side-chain liquid crystalline polymers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huanhuan Cheng, Fuming Li, Zhihua Yang, Shilie Pan
Summary: This paper proposes a strategy of introducing fluorinated tetrahedral boron-centred chromophores to optimize chromatic dispersion. By introducing the [BF4](-) unit with a large HOMO-LUMO band gap, Na4B8O9F10 has been successfully designed and synthesized. It has optimized chromatic dispersion and can achieve a short second harmonic generation phase-matching wavelength.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Seifallah Abid, Sarra Ben Hassine, Zhipeng Sun, Nicolas Richy, Franck Camerel, Bassem Jamoussi, Mireille Blanchard-Desce, Olivier Mongin, Frederic Paul, Christine Paul-Roth
Summary: By changing the central porphyrin core to a phthalocyanine core in macromolecular structures, new dendrimers with multiple conjugated endgroups were prepared and studied. Efficient energy transfer from peripheral units to central unit led to intense red light emission and oxygen photosensitization, while significantly boosting two-photon absorption cross-sections. The impact of this structural change was discussed in relation to dendrimer generations using DFT and molecular dynamic calculations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yichuan Chen, Yuqing Cheng, Mengtao Sun
Summary: This paper theoretically investigates the nonlinear optical properties of a D-A conjugated organic molecule and proposes a method to enhance its properties using surface plasmon resonances and nonlinear optics. The results show a significant improvement in two-photon absorption by 10(6) times using a nonlinear plexciton method.
Article
Telecommunications
Muyiwa Balogun, Stanislav Derevyanko
Summary: NFT is a new field of optical communications that can resist nonlinearity and dispersion, using orthogonal Hermite-Gaussian spectral forms as waveform carriers to improve system performance. The proposed multiplexing scheme outperforms current NFT systems in terms of spectral efficiency and bit error rate when neglecting the effects of inline noise.
IEEE COMMUNICATIONS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sang Hyun Lee, Minsu Zhang, Jae Kyun Kwon
Summary: This paper evaluates the best error performance of dimmable visible light communication systems using binary modulations, emphasizing the importance of error probabilities under different configurations. It provides a practical guideline for enhanced VLC system design based on the ultimate decoding error performance targeted for dimmable VLC systems.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hui Zhang, Shuhui Bo, Ji Zhang, Yuhui Ao, Ming Li
Summary: Developing new organic chromophores with a new electron donor is crucial for enhancing the performance of electro-optic materials. In this study, a series of new chromophores with 1-Oxajulolidine as the electron donor were designed and synthesized, and their properties were investigated. The results showed that these chromophores exhibited improved performance, indicating their potential applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qin Yao, Yue-Min Xie, Yingzhi Zhou, Qifan Xue, Xin Xu, Yujia Gao, Tianqi Niu, Linghao Chu, Zhisheng Zhou, Francis R. Lin, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Tingting Shi, Hin-Lap Yip, Yong Cao
Summary: This study uses an ionic liquid, methylammonium acetate (MAAc), and bathocuproine (BCP) to modify wide-bandgap perovskite sub-cells and small-bandgap organic solar cells. MAAc effectively heals the defects in the perovskite film, improving the energy conversion efficiency, while BCP acts as a space layer to prevent direct contact between ZnO and the organic bulk-heterojunction, mitigating efficiency loss. The integration of these modified sub-cells enables the fabrication of monolithic n-i-p structured tandem solar cells with a maximum PCE of 22.43%.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danpeng Gao, Bo Li, Zhen Li, Xin Wu, Shoufeng Zhang, Dan Zhao, Xiaofen Jiang, Chunlei Zhang, Yan Wang, Zhenjiang Li, Nan Li, Shuang Xiao, Wallace C. H. Choy, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Shangfeng Yang, Zonglong Zhu
Summary: A highly efficient and stable flexible perovskite solar cell (PSC) is reported by modifying the interface between perovskite and hole transport layer using pentylammonium acetate (PenAAc) molecule. The PenAAc-modified PSC achieves a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.68% and shows excellent stability under mechanical bending.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rui Sun, Tao Wang, Qunping Fan, Mingjian Wu, Xinrong Yang, Xiaohei Wu, Yue Yu, Xinxin Xia, Fengzhe Cui, Ji Wan, Xinhui Lu, Xiaotao Hao, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Erdmann Spiecker, Jie Min
Summary: While polymer/polymer blend systems still have lower power conversion efficiencies compared to small-molecule-acceptor-based systems, the use of a ternary blending strategy holds promise in achieving a desired nanoscale blend morphology to bridge the efficiency-stability gap in all-polymer solar cells. In this study, a narrow-band-gap chlorinated polymer acceptor (PY-2Cl) was incorporated into the PM6:PY-1S1Se host blend, resulting in extended absorption spectra, improved molecular packing, solidified blend microstructure, and reduced non-radiative recombination. The resulting ternary blend achieved a PCE of 18.2% (certified value 17.8%), the highest reported for all-PSCs. Furthermore, the ternary blend demonstrated lower Urbach energy and better operational stability compared to corresponding binary systems. This work paves the way for enhancing the development of high-performance all-polymer systems through molecular design and ternary strategies.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingliang Li, Yunfei Xie, Francis R. Lin, Ziwei Li, Shuang Yang, Alex K. - Y. Jen
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baobing Fan, Wenkai Zhong, Wei Gao, Huiting Fu, Francis R. Lin, Reese W. -Y. Wong, Ming Liu, Chenhui Zhu, Cheng Wang, Hin-Lap Yip, Feng Liu, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Sequentially deposited organic solar cells (SD-OSCs) have received great attention due to their ability to achieve a more favorable morphology. However, the processing of SD-OSCs is challenging in preventing the penetration of small-molecule acceptors into the polymer donor layer. In this study, solid additives with varied electrostatic potential distributions and steric hinderance are introduced to investigate their effect on vertical component distribution.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feng Qi, Yanxun Li, Rui Zhang, Francis R. R. Lin, Kaikai Liu, Qunping Fan, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Organic solar cells (OSCs) have made significant advancements with the development of new photovoltaic materials. However, their long-term stability remains a challenge. To address this, a dimer acceptor with a flexible linker was developed to stabilize the morphology of the active layer. The resulting device showed improved power conversion efficiency and excellent thermal stability, as well as maintaining high mechanical durability after repetitive bending.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leyu Bi, Qiang Fu, Zixin Zeng, Yunfan Wang, Francis R. Lin, Yuanhang Cheng, Hin-Lap Yip, Sai Wing Tsang, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: In this study, the roles of chloride-based additives and methylammonium-based additives in inverted FAPbI3-based perovskite solar cells were systematically investigated. It was found that these additives have different effects on the crystallization and phase transition of FAPbI3. By optimizing the amount of MACl, the highest efficiency of inverted FAPbI3-based perovskite solar cells was achieved.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baobing Fan, Wei Gao, Rui Zhang, Werner Kaminsky, Francis R. Lin, Xinxin Xia, Qunping Fan, Yanxun Li, Yidan An, Yue Wu, Ming Liu, Xinhui Lu, Wen Jung Li, Hin-Lap Yip, Feng Gao, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have made significant progress recently, thanks to the use of well-designed non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with conjugated side-groups. Researchers have developed a new class of NFAs with localisomerized conjugated side-groups and studied their impact on device performance and stability. A device based on one of the isomers achieved an impressive efficiency of 18.5% and exhibited excellent photo- and thermal stability. A similar approach was applied to another polymer donor, resulting in an even higher efficiency of 18.8%. This work highlights the effectiveness of local isomerization in enhancing the photovoltaic performance and stability of OPVs based on fused ring NFAs.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Fengzhu Li, Xiang Deng, Zhangsheng Shi, Shengfan Wu, Zixin Zeng, Deng Wang, Yang Li, Feng Qi, Zhuomin Zhang, Zhengbao Yang, Sei-Hum Jang, Francis R. Lin, Sai-Wing Tsang, Xian-Kai Chen, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: A multifunctional additive is used to modulate the kinetics of perovskite film growth, resulting in improved film quality and enhanced performance of perovskite solar cells. The additive enables the formation of large perovskite grains and coherent grain growth, which reduces non-radiative recombinations and boosts power conversion efficiency. The unencapsulated devices also exhibit improved thermal stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manjun Xiao, Longfei Liu, Yongdie Meng, Baobing Fan, Wenyan Su, Conggui Jin, Luocheng Liao, Fan Yi, Chao Xu, Rui Zhang, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Wei Ma, Qunping Fan
Summary: Additives are important for enhancing the performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, typical additives used for optimizing blend morphology are high boiling-point solvents, which may reduce device stability due to their trace residues. In this study, a solidification of solvent additive (SSA) strategy was developed to convert the liquid additive to a solid form, resulting in optimized morphology, improved efficiency, and device stability.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shengfan Wu, Jie Zhang, Minchao Qin, Fengzhu Li, Xiang Deng, Xinhui Lu, Wen-Jung Li, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: By incorporating a cross-linkable organic ligand into the perovskite precursor solution, the facet orientation of polycrystalline perovskite films can be controlled, leading to enhanced performance of perovskite-based devices. The resulting low-dimensional perovskites (LDPs) can passivate defects and improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 24.12% (rigid) and 23.23% (flexible). Furthermore, the ligand enables the derived LDPs to be crosslinked, enhancing the mechanical bending durability of flexible devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaofen Jiang, Xue Wang, Xin Wu, Shoufeng Zhang, Baoze Liu, Dong Zhang, Bo Li, Peng Xiao, Fang Xu, Haipeng Lu, Tao Chen, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Shangfeng Yang, Zonglong Zhu
Summary: This work reports a facile and effective strategy to stabilize alpha-FAPbI(3) perovskite in inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) by regulating the residual strain through the incorporation of pseudo halide-based ionic liquids. The addition of methylamine formate (MAFa) ionic liquid enables the maintenance of a homogeneously stronger compressive strain, resulting in a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.08% among reported inverted FAPbI(3) perovskite solar cells and enhanced device stability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ruixi Luo, Xin Zhao, Ning Cai, Jiehao Zhao, Tiejun Wang, Yonggang Min, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Introducing flexible alkyl chains into rigid conjugated molecules is an effective strategy to enhance the photovoltaic performance of organic semiconductor materials. In this study, seven hole-transporting materials (HTMs) were developed by attaching alkyl chains to the pi-linker and donor group. The HTMs exhibited optimized solution processability, molecular packing, and thermal phase transition, leading to high power conversion efficiencies in inverted perovskite solar cells.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gang Lu, Cien Chen, Zhaoyue Wang, Xuelian Wu, Xin Huang, Jingdong Luo, Xun-Li Wang, Ming-Liang He, Xi Yao
Summary: Researchers have developed supramolecular adhesives with mechanical integrity and robust interfacial adhesion, which can incorporate bioactive oil to regulate nanosized crystalline domains and enhance structural and mechanical stability. The resultant organogel coatings demonstrate rapid healing, robust adhesion, and antimicrobial and antiviral properties, showing potential applications in soft robotics, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weilong Chen, Taili Liu, Jie Zou, Di Zhang, Man Kit Tse, Sai-Wing Tsang, Jingdong Luo, Alex K-Y. Jen
Summary: This study reports a series of heptamethines based on the tricyanofuran acceptor and indoline or benzo[e]indoline donors. These dipolar chromophores can attain a highly delocalized cyanine-like electronic ground state, even closer to the ideal polymethine state than symmetrical cyanines. A transmission-mode electromodulation spectroscopy is used to demonstrate a large and thermally stable quadratic electro-optic effect with high efficiency-loss figure-of-merits. The study opens a path for developing organic materials for fast, efficient, and low-loss electro-optic modulation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
