BODIPY-based conjugated polymers for broadband light sensing and harvesting applications

The synthesis of novel low band-gap polymers has significantly improved light sensing and harvesting in polymer-fullerene devices. Here the synthesis of two low band-gap polymers based on the 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene core (BODIPY), and either bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (bis-EDOT) or its all-sulfur analogue bis(3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene) (bis-EDTT) are described. The polymers demonstrate ambipolar charge transport and are shown to be suitable for broadband light sensing and solar energy harvesting in solution-processable polymer-fullerene devices

Star-shaped fluorene-BODIPY oligomers: versatile donor-acceptor systems for luminescent solar concentrators

Energy transfer in star-shaped donor–acceptor molecules reduces self-absorption in luminescent solar concentrators.N. J. L. K. D. is supported by the Cambridge Commonwealth European and International Trust, Cambridge Australian Scholarships and Mr Charles K Allen. R. W. M. acknowledges funding from the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association. S. T. E. J. is supported by the Royal society. RGDT is supported by the EPSRC. D. C. thanks the Royal Society. PJS thanks the Royal Society for a Wolfson Research Merit Award. This work as supported by the EPSRC [EP/M005143/1, EP/M014797/1, EP/L012200/1]

Synthesis and properties of novel star-shaped oligofluorene conjugated systems with BODIPY cores

Star-shaped conjugated systems with varying oligofluorene arm length and substitution patterns of the central BODIPY core have been synthesised, leading to two families of compounds, T-B1-T-B4 and Y-B1-Y-B4, with T- and Y-shaped motifs, respectively. Thermal stability, cyclic voltammetry, absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy of each member of these two families were studied in order to determine their suitability as emissive materials in photonic applications

An air-stable DPP-thieno-TTF copolymer for single-material solar cell devices and field effect transistors

Following an approach developed in our group to incorporate tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units into conjugated polymeric systems, we have studied a low band gap polymer incorporating TTF as a donor component. This polymer is based on a fused thieno-TTF unit that enables the direct incorporation of the TTF unit into the polymer, and a second comonomer based on the diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) molecule. These units represent a donor–acceptor copolymer system, p(DPP-TTF), showing strong absorption in the UV–visible region of the spectrum. An optimized p(DPP-TTF) polymer organic field effect transistor and a single material organic solar cell device showed excellent performance with a hole mobility of up to 5.3 × 10–2 cm2/(V s) and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.3%, respectively. Bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices of p(DPP-TTF) blended with phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) exhibited a PCE of 1.8%

Application of texture analysis methods for the characterization of cultured meat.

Mechanical characterization supposes a key step in the development of cultured meat to help mimicking the sensorial properties of already existing commercial products based on traditional meat. This work presents two well stablished methods that can help studying cultured meat mechanical characteristics: texture profile analysis (double compression test) and rheology. These techniques provide data about the elastic and viscous behaviour of the samples but also values about other texture characteristics such as springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and resilience. In this work, we present a comparison of cultured meat-based samples with commercial of the shelf common meat products (sausage, turkey and chicken breast). Results show that both Young's and Shear modulus in the cultured meat samples can be compared to commercial products in order to understand its properties. The texture characteristics for the cultured meat studied, show values within the range of commercial products. These results demonstrate the applicability of this methodology for the adjustment of mechanical properties of cultured meat products

Synthesis and properties of novel star-shaped oligofluorene conjugated systems with BODIPY cores

The authors wish to thank the EPSRC for funding. PJS thanks the Royal Society for a Wolfson Research Merit Award.Star-shaped conjugated systems with varying oligofluorene arm length and substitution patterns of the central BODIPY core have been synthesised, leading to two families of compounds, T-B1-T-B4 and Y-B1-Y-B4, with T- and Y-shaped motifs, respectively. Thermal stability, cyclic voltammetry, absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy of each member of these two families were studied in order to determine their suitability as emissive materials in photonic applications.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

BODIPY star-shaped molecules as solid state colour converters for visible light communications

In this paper, we study a family of solid-state, organic semiconductors for visible light communications. The star-shaped molecules have a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) core with a range of side arm lengths which control the photophysical properties. The molecules emit red light with photoluminescence quantum yields ranging from 22% to 56%. Thin films of the most promising BODIPY molecules were used as a red colour converter for visible light communications. The film enabled colour conversion with a modulation bandwidth of 73 MHz, which is 16 times higher than that of a typical phosphor used in LED lighting systems. A data rate of 370 Mbit/s was demonstrated using On-Off keying modulation in a free space link with a distance of ∼15 cm

Solution processable diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) cored small molecules with BODIPY end groups as novel donors for organic solar cells

PJS thanks the Royal Society for a Wolfson Research Merit Award.Two novel triads based on a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) central core and two 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) units attached by thiophene rings have been synthesised having high molar extinction coefficients. These triads were characterised and used as donor materials in small molecule, solution processable organic solar cells. Both triads were blended with PC71BM as an acceptor in different ratios by wt% and their photovoltaic properties were studied. For both the triads a modest photovoltaic performance was observed, having an efficiency of 0.65%. Moreover, in order to understand the ground and excited state properties and vertical absorption profile of DPP and BODIPY units within the triads, theoretical DFT and TDDFT calculations were performed.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

BODIPY-based conjugated polymers for broadband light sensing and harvesting applications

The synthesis of novel low band-gap polymers has significantly improved light sensing and harvesting in polymer-fullerene devices. Here the synthesis of two low band-gap polymers based on the 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene core (BODIPY), and either bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (bis-EDOT) or its all-sulfur analogue bis(3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene) (bis-EDTT) are described. The polymers demonstrate ambipolar charge transport and are shown to be suitable for broadband light sensing and solar energy harvesting in solution-processable polymer-fullerene devices.</p