Exciton versus band description of the absorption and luminescence spectra in poly(p-phenylenevinylene)

Nonadiabatic Excited-State Molecular Dynamics with an Explicit Solvent: NEXMD-SANDER Implementation

In this article, the nonadiabatic excited-state Molecular dynamics (NEXMD) package is linked with the SANDER package, provided by AMBERTOOLS. The combination of these software packages enables the simulation of photoinduced dynamics of large multichromophoric conjugated molecules involving several coupled electronic excited states embedded in an explicit solvent by using the quantum/mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methodology. The fewest switches surface hopping algorithm, as implemented in NEXMD, is used to account for quantum transitions among the adiabatic excited-state simulations of the photoexcitation and subsequent nonadiabatic electronic transitions, and vibrational energy relaxation of a substituted polyphenylenevinylene oligomer (PPV3-NO2) in vacuum and methanol as an explicit solvent has been used as a test case. The impact of including specific solvent molecules in the QM region is also analyzed. Our NEXMD-SANDER QM/MM implementation provides a useful computational tool to simulate qualitatively solvent-dependent effects, like electron transfer, stabilization of charge-separated excited states, and the role of solvent reorganization in the molecular optical properties, observed in solution-based spectroscopic experiments.

Extremely Non-Equilibrium Hopping Transport and Photogeneration Efficiency in Organic Semiconductors: An Analytic Approach

An analytical model of highly nonequilibrium hopping transport of charge carriers in disordered organic semiconductors has been developed. In particular, the initial time interval is considered when transport is controlled by hops down in energy. The model is applied to the calculation of the separation probability of geminate pairs in a semiconductor with a Gaussian energy distribution of localized states. This probability determines the photogeneration efficiency. The temperature dependence of the separation probability is obtained and shown to be much weaker than predicted by the classical Onsager model, in agreement with experiment and Monte Carlo simulations. The field dependence is taken into account using a modified effective temperature method.

Enhancing Dynamic Spectral Diffusion in Metal-Organic Frameworks through Defect Engineering

The crystal packing of organic chromophores has a profound impact on their photophysical properties. Molecular crystal engineering is generally incapable of producing precisely spaced arrays of molecules for use in photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, and sensors. A promising alternative strategy is the incorporation of chromophores into crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), leading to matrix coordination-induced emission (MCIE) upon confinement. However, it remains unclear how the precise arrangement of chromophores and defects dictates photophysical properties in these systems, limiting the rational design of well-defined photoluminescent materials. Herein, we report new, robust Zr-based MOFs constructed from the linker tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)ethylene (TCPE4-) that exhibit an unexpected structural transition in combination with a prominent shift from green to blue photoluminescence (PL) as a function of the amount of acid modulator (benzoic, formic, or acetic acid) used during synthesis. Time-resolved PL (TRPL) measurements provide full spectral information and reveal that the observed hypsochromic shift arises due to a higher concentration of linker substitution defects at higher modulator concentrations, leading to broader excitation transfer-induced spectral diffusion. Spectral diffusion of this type has not been reported in a MOF to date, and its observation provides structural information that is otherwise unobtainable using traditional crystallographic techniques. Our findings suggest that defects have a profound impact on the photophysical properties of MOFs and that their presence can be readily tuned to modify energy transfer processes within these materials.

Adiabatic Excited-State Molecular Dynamics with an Explicit Solvent: NEXMD-SANDER Implementation

We present a method to link the Nonadiabatic EXcited-state Molecular Dynamics (NEXMD) package to the SANDER package supplied by AMBERTOOLS to provide excited-state adiabatic quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations. NEXMD is a computational package particularly developed to perform simulations of the photoexcitation and subsequent nonadiabatic electronic and vibrational energy relaxation in large multichromophoric conjugated molecules involving several coupled electronic excited states. The NEXMD-SANDER exchange has been optimized in order to achieve excited-state adiabatic dynamics simulations of large conjugated materials in a QM/MM environment, such as an explicit solvent. Dynamics of a substituted polyphenylene vinylene oligomer (PPV3-NO₂) in vacuum and different explicit solvents has been used as a test case by performing comparative analysis of changes in its optical spectrum, state-dependent conformational changes, and quantum bond orderings. The method has been tested and compared with respect to previous implicit solvent implementations. Also, the impact on the expansion of the QM region by including a variable number of solvent molecules has been analyzed. Altogether, these results encourage future implementations of NEXMD simulations using the same combination of methods.

Acceptor Side-Chain Effects on the Excited State Dynamics of Two-Dimensional-Like Conjugated Copolymers in Solution

Excited state dynamics of two-dimensional-like conjugated copolymers PFDCN and PFSDCN based on alternating fluorene and triphenylamine main chains and malononitrile pendant acceptor groups with thiophene as π-bridge, have been investigated by using transient absorption spectroscopy. There is an additional conjugated -C=C- bond in PFDCN, which distinguishes it from PFSDCN. The lowest energy absorption band of each copolymer absorption spectrum is attributed to the π-π* transition with intramolecular charge-transfer, which has a lower fluorescence contribution than those of higher energy absorption bands. The optical excitation of either PFDCN or PFSDCN solution generates polaron pairs that then self-localize and evolve to a bound singlet exciton within a few picoseconds. Due to the additional conjugated -C=C- bond in the acceptor side-chain, PFDCN has a stronger intramolecular charge-transfer characteristic compared with PFSDCN, therefore exhibiting a longer self-localization time (7 ps vs. 3 ps for PFSDCN) and a shorter fluorescence lifetime (1.48 ns vs. 1.60 ns for PFSDCN).

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) oligomers: an ab initio simulation

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) oligomers with up to seven repeat units were theoretically investigated using the algebraic diagrammatic construction method to second order, ADC(2), combined with the resolution-of-the-identity (RI) approach. The ground and first excited state geometries of the oligomers were fully optimized. Vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of the first four transitions were computed. The vibrational broadening of the absorption and fluorescence spectra was studied using a semiclassical nuclear ensemble method. After correcting for basis set and solvent effects, we achieved a balanced description of the absorption and fluorescence spectra by means of the ADC(2) approach. This fact is documented by the computed Stokes shift along the PPV series, which is in good agreement with the experimental values. The experimentally observed band width of the UV absorption and fluorescence spectra is well reproduced by the present simulations showing that the nuclear ensemble generated should be well suitable for consecutive surface hopping dynamics simulations.

Strong Photophysical Similarities between Conjugated Polymers and J-aggregates

The photophysical properties of emissive conjugated polymer (CP) chains are compared to those of linear J-aggregates. The two systems share many properties in common, including a red-shifted absorption spectrum with increasing chain/aggregate length, enhanced radiative decay rates (superradiance) relative to a single monomer/molecule, and several vibronic signatures involving the vinyl-stretching mode common to many conjugated molecules. In particular, the scaling of the 0-0/0-1 photoluminescence ratio and radiative decay rate with the inverse square root of temperature in red-phase polydiacetylene is also characteristic of linear, disorder-free J-aggregates. The strong photophysical resemblance is traced to the excitonic band structure; in one-dimensional direct band gap semiconductors as well as J-aggregates, the exciton band curvature is positive at the gamma point (k = 0).

H- and J-aggregate behavior in polymeric semiconductors

Aggregates of conjugated polymers exhibit two classes of fundamental electronic interactions: those occurring within a given chain and those occurring between chains. The impact of such excitonic interactions on the photophysics of polymer films can be understood using concepts of J- and H-aggregation originally developed by Kasha and coworkers to treat aggregates of small molecules. In polymer assemblies, intrachain through-bond interactions lead to J-aggregate behavior, whereas interchain Coulombic interactions lead to H-aggregate behavior. The photophysics of common emissive conjugated polymer films are determined by a competition between intrachain, J-favoring interactions and interchain, H-favoring interactions. We review formalisms describing absorption and photoluminescence lineshapes, based on intra- and intermolecular excitonic coupling, electron-vibrational coupling, and correlated energetic disorder. Examples include regioregular polythiophenes, pheneylene-vinylenes, and polydiacetylene.

Organic solar cells: understanding the role of Förster resonance energy transfer

Organic solar cells have the potential to become a low-cost sustainable energy source. Understanding the photoconversion mechanism is key to the design of efficient organic solar cells. In this review, we discuss the processes involved in the photo-electron conversion mechanism, which may be subdivided into exciton harvesting, exciton transport, exciton dissociation, charge transport and extraction stages. In particular, we focus on the role of energy transfer as described by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) theory in the photoconversion mechanism. FRET plays a major role in exciton transport, harvesting and dissociation. The spectral absorption range of organic solar cells may be extended using sensitizers that efficiently transfer absorbed energy to the photoactive materials. The limitations of Förster theory to accurately calculate energy transfer rates are discussed. Energy transfer is the first step of an efficient two-step exciton dissociation process and may also be used to preferentially transport excitons to the heterointerface, where efficient exciton dissociation may occur. However, FRET also competes with charge transfer at the heterointerface turning it in a potential loss mechanism. An energy cascade comprising both energy transfer and charge transfer may aid in separating charges and is briefly discussed. Considering the extent to which the photo-electron conversion efficiency is governed by energy transfer, optimisation of this process offers the prospect of improved organic photovoltaic performance and thus aids in realising the potential of organic solar cells.

Materials Engineering For Polarized Light Emitting Diodes

Electroluminescent devices have been made from organo-soluble derivatives of poly(pphenylene). Solubility and processibility by the LB-technique is achieved by attaching alkoxy side groups to the backbone-p-phenylene units. These polymers are of the hairy-rod (HR) type. If transferred as monolayers from the air-water-interface, monodomain multilayers with large order parameters of chain orientation are obtained. A 130 nm thick LB-film of poly(2,5-diisopentoxy-pphenylene) shows blue photoluminescence at λmax = 3.08 eV (404 nm) with a tail extending to 2 eV. The anisotropy was (lII- l1)/ (l11, + l11)= 0.5. This LB-film between a transparent gold and an evaporated Al-electrode shows polarized light emission at E ≤ 6.107 V cm−1 with am=a λmax2.2 eV and an in-plane anisotropy of 0.54. Thin films obtained by spincoating of the same polymer show isotropic electroluminescence between ITO and Al-electrodes with an external quantum efficiency of about 0.03 %. Higher efficiencies up to 4 % were realized optimizing the device architecture and the electrodes. Photocrosslinkable sites are introduced as side groups to the poly(pphenylene) chain. This allows patterning of the LEDs. General features of the supramolecular architecture and typical defect structures occurring in films of polyconjugated macromolecules are discussed using prototypical polymers as examples. Important effects are chain segregation according to chain length and formation of disclinations.

Analyzing the molecular weight distribution in supramolecular polymers

We have investigated the formation process of supramolecular linear polymer chains and its influence on the resulting chain length distribution function. For this purpose, we explored the migration of excitation energy between oligofluorene units coupled together through quadruple hydrogen-bonding groups to form linear chains that are terminated by oligophenylene vinylene end-caps acting as energy traps. The energy transfer dynamics from the main chain to the chain end was monitored experimentally using time-resolved PL spectroscopy and compared to an equivalent Monte Carlo simulation incorporating information on the structure of the chains, the transition transfer rates, and various weight distribution trial functions. We find that the assumption of a Flory distribution of chain lengths leads to excellent agreement between experimental and simulated data for a wide range of end-cap concentrations. On the other hand, both a Poisson function and a simplified assumption of a monodisperse distribution significantly underestimate the presence of long chains in the ensemble. Our results therefore show that supramolecular polymerization is a steplike process equivalent to polycondensation reactions in linear covalent polymers. These findings emphasize that equal reactivity of the supramolecular building blocks leads to a dynamic growth process for the supramolecular chain involving all chain components at all times.

Electrodeposition of polythiophene assisted by sonochemistry and incorporation of fluorophores in the polymeric matrix

This work studies the effect of an ultrasonic field of 530 kHz frequency on the electrodeposition of polythiophene in an acetonitrile solution using lithium perchlorate as background electrolyte. The results obtained show an increase in the polymer mass transfer produced and a more compact and homogenous morphology of the films yielded by sonoelectrochemistry. Electrodeposition of the polymer was also carried out in the presence of the fluorophores Harmane (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) or BCCM (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester). Confocal microscopy measurements performed on the films synthesised in the presence of these compounds showed that the latter are embedded in the polymer when it is sonoelectrogenerated at a potential of 2.2, 2.5 or 2.8 V. Films generated in the absence of ultrasound showed no fluorescence.

Photoluminescence spectra of a conjugated polymer: from films and solutions to single molecules

The purpose of this work is to address the issue of applicability of single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) results for conjugated polymers to "bulk" samples, e.g. conjugated polymer films. Also, some apparent inconsistencies in the literature on SMS regarding the photoluminescence spectral position of conjugated polymers are discussed. We present a series of photoluminescence spectra of thin films of the conjugated polymer poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene) (MEH-PPV) with a wide range of varying thickness. The thickness was varied from approximately 20 nm to the value corresponding to well-separated single molecules (SMS sample). The thickness variation resulted in a strong ( approximately 2000 cm(-1)) blue-shift and broadening of the spectrum. The result was reproduced on isolated molecules embedded into a PMMA matrix. This effect cannot be explained by a decrease in energy transfer "freedom" alone. We performed a comprehensive comparison of presented and elsewhere published spectra of MEH-PPV polymer and oligomers in different samples: films, solutions, isolated-molecule coatings and standard SMS samples. The comparison allows that the main reason behind the blue shift is conformational disorder, which is largely dependent on the sample. We also discuss some experimental aspects of SMS, such as representativeness of detected molecules, spectral sensitivity of a setup and temperature. Together with differences in sample preparation method, these issues can explain the existing inconsistencies in the literature.

Polarized optical spectroscopy applied to investigate two poly(phenylene-vinylene) polymers with different side chain structures

Two related poly(phenylene-vinylene) (PPV) light-emitting polymers have been investigated by means of polarized optical spectroscopy. The purpose of the investigation was to investigate the nature of the interactions in thin films and to examine what impact the difference in side chain structure and molecular weight in poly(2'-methoxy-5-2-ethyl-hexoxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene (MEH-PPV) and poly(2-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-5-methoxy-1,4-phenylene-vinylene) (OC1C10-PPV) has on the electronic and optical properties of the two polymers. Aligning the polymers by dispersing them in anisotropic solvents and stretched films shows that the side chains have an impact on the relative orientations of the transition dipole moments. In anisotropic solvents the linear dichroism is larger for MEH-PPV than for the related polymer OC1C10-PPV, while in stretched films the opposite situation prevails. A lower polarization of the luminescence from OC1C10-PPV, relative to MEH-PPV, was also obtained independent of alignment medium used. The data therefore suggest that while mechanical stretching may align the OC1C10-PPV to a greater degree, the emitting species is distinct from the absorbing species. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra of both polymers undergo dramatic changes when the liquid phase and the solid state (film) are compared. The solution CD spectra shows no evidence of interchain interactions; instead the spectra of both systems indicate a helical conformation of the polymers. The CD spectra of films are dramatically different with the strong Cotton effect being observed. This points to the formation of an aggregate in the film, with an associated ground state interaction, an interchain species such as a physical dimer, or a more complex higher aggregate.

Chromophores in phenylenevinylene-based conjugated polymers: Role of conformational kinks and chemical defects

The influence of chemical defects and conformational kinks on the nature of the lowest electronic excitations in phenylenevinylene-based polymers is assessed at the semiempirical quantum-chemical level. The amount of excited-state localization and the amplitude of through-space (Coulomb-like) versus through-bond (charge-transfer-like) interactions have been quantified by comparing the results provided by excitonic and supermolecular models. While excitation delocalization among conjugated segments delineated by the defects occurs in the acceptor configuration, self-confinement on individual chromophores follows from geometric relaxation in the excited-state donor configuration. The extent of excited-state localization is found to be sensitive to both the nature of the defect and the length of the conjugated chains. Implications for resonant energy transfer along conjugated polymer chains are discussed.

Evidence of temperature dependent charge migration on conjugated segments in poly-p-phenylene vinylene and single-walled carbon nanotubes composite films

We present new results of temperature dependence of photoluminescence spectra carried out on poly-p-phenylene vinylene (PPV) and on PPV composite films with single-walled carbon nanotubes. By performing studies at different temperatures (87 and 300 K), we show that a distribution of conjugated PPV segments is needed to interpret experimental data. At the microscopic scale, such a distribution corresponds to the morphological picture of poorly packed short chain segments and well-packed ordered long chain segments. Within this scheme, a new interpretation emerges for explaining the specific behavior of the photoluminescence bands. In particular, the two most intense components of the photoluminescence spectra of PPV thermally converted at 300 degrees C (2.23 and 2.43 eV at 300 K) change drastically their relative intensity when the observation temperature decreases. This effect is interpreted as due to the inhibition of charge migration to longer segments and to radiative recombination occurring mainly on n = 5 conjugated segments.