End-group modulation of phenazine based non-fullerene acceptors for efficient organic solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

Phenazine-based non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)have demonstrated great potential in improving the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of organic solar cells(OSCs).Halogenation is known to be an effective strategy for increasing optical absorption,refining energy levels,and improving molecular packing in organic semiconductors.Herein,a series of NFAs(Pz IC-4H,Pz IC-4F,Pz IC-4Cl,Pz IC-2Br)with phenazine as the central core and with/without halogen-substituted(dicyanomethylidene)-indan-1-one(IC)as the electron-accepting end group were synthesized,and the effect of end group matched phenazine central unit on the photovoltaic performance was systematically studied.Synergetic photophysical and morphological analyses revealed that the PM6:Pz IC-4F blend involves efficient exciton dissociation,higher charge collection and transfer rates,better crystallinity,and optimal phase separation.Therefore,OSCs based on PM6:Pz IC-4F as the active layer exhibited a PCE of 16.48%with an open circuit voltage(Voc)and energy loss of 0.880 V and 0.53 e V,respectively.Accordingly,this work demonstrated a promising approach by designing phenazine-based NFAs for achieving high-performance OSCs.

Enhancing efficiency and stability of organic solar cells through a simplified four-step synthesis of fully non-fused ring electron acceptor

Design and synthesis of superior cost-effective non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)are still big challenges for facilitating the commercialization of organic solar cells(OSCs),yet to be realized.Herein,two medium bandgap fully non-fused ring electron acceptors(NFREAs,medium bandgap,i,e.,1,3-1,8 eV),namely PTR-2Cl and PTR-4Cl are synthesized with only four steps by using intramolecular noncovalent interaction central core,structured alkyl side chain orientation linking units and flanking with different electron-withdrawing end group.Among them,PTR-4C1 exhibits increased average electrostatic potential(ESP)difference with polymer donor,enhanced crystallinity and compactπ-πstacking compared with the control molecule PTR-2CI.As a result,the PTR-4Cl-based OSC achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 14.72%,with a much higher open-circuit voltage(V_(OC))of 0.953 V and significantly improved fill factor(FF)of 0.758,demonstrating one of the best acceptor material in the top-performing fully NFREA-based OSCs with both high PCE and V_(OC).Notably,PTR-4Cl-based cells maintain a good T_80lifetime of its initial PCE after over 936 h under a continuous thermal annealing treatment and over1300 h T_(80)lifetime without encapsulation.This work provides a cost-effective design strategy for NFREAs on obtaining high V_(OC),efficient exciton dissociation,and ordered molecular packing and thus high-efficiency and stable OSCs.

Step‑by‑Step Modulation of Crystalline Features and Exciton Kinetics for 19.2%Efficiency Ortho‑Xylene Processed Organic Solar Cells

With plenty of popular and effective ternary organic solar cells(OSCs)construction strategies proposed and applied,its power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)have come to a new level of over 19%in single-junction devices.However,previous studies are heavily based in chloroform(CF)leaving behind substantial knowledge deficiencies in understanding the influence of solvent choice when introducing a third component.Herein,we present a case where a newly designed asymmetric small molecular acceptor using fluoro-methoxylated end-group modification strategy,named BTP-BO-3FO with enlarged bandgap,brings different morphological evolution and performance improvement effect on host system PM6:BTP-eC9,processed by CF and ortho-xylene(o-XY).With detailed analyses supported by a series of experiments,the best PCE of 19.24%for green solvent-processed OSCs is found to be a fruit of finely tuned crystalline ordering and general aggregation motif,which furthermore nourishes a favorable charge generation and recombination behavior.Likewise,over 19%PCE can be achieved by replacing spin-coating with blade coating for active layer deposition.This work focuses on understanding the commonly met yet frequently ignored issues when building ternary blends to demonstrate cutting-edge device performance,hence,will be instructive to other ternary OSC works in the future.

Molecular packing tuning via chlorinated end group enables efficient binary organic solar cells over 18.5%

Designing novel nonfullerene acceptors(NFAs)is of vital importance for the development of organic solar cells(OSC).Modification on the side chain and end group are two powerful tools to construct efficient NFAs.Here,based on the high-performance L8BO,we selected 3-ethylheptyl to substitute the inner chain of 2-ethylhexyl,obtaining the backbone of BON3.Then we introduced different halogen atoms of fluorine and chlorine on 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1Hinden-1-ylidene)malononitrile end group(EG)to construct efficient NFAs named BON3-F and BON3-Cl,respectively.Polymer donor D18 was chosen to combine with two novel NFAs to construct OSC devices.Impressively,D18:BON3-Cl-based device shows a remarkable power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 18.57%,with a high open-circuit voltage(V_(OC))of 0.907 V and an excellent fill factor(FF)of 80.44%,which is one of the highest binary PCE of devices based on D18 as the donor.However,BON3-F-based device shows a relatively lower PCE of 17.79%with a decreased FF of 79.05%.The better photovoltaic performance is mainly attributed to the red-shifted absorption,higher electron and hole mobilities,reduced charge recombination,and enhanced molecular packing in the D18:BON3-Cl films.Also,we performed stability tests on two binary systems;the D18:BON3-Cl and D18:BON3-F devices maintain 88.1%and 85.5%of their initial efficiencies after 169 h of storage at 85°C in an N2-filled glove box,respectively.Our work demonstrates the importance of selecting halogen atoms on EG and provides an efficient binary system of D18:BON3-Cl for further improvement of PCE.

Bilateral pericapsular end nerve blocks for steroid-induced avascular necrosis following COVID-19 infection requiring bilateral total hip replacement

BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis(AVN)of the hip was one of the dreaded complications of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),which emerged in patients who received steroid therapy.Corticosteroids have been a mainstay in the treatment protocol of COVID-19 patients.Popular corticosteroid drugs used in patients suffering from COVID-19 were intravenous(IV)or oral dexamethasone,methylprednisolone or hydrocortisone.The use of such high doses of corticost-eroids has shown very positive results and has been lifesaving in many cases.Still,long-term consequences were drug-induced diabetes,osteoporosis,Cushing syndrome,muscle wasting,peripheral fat mobilization,AVN,hirsutism,sleep disturbances and poor wound healing.A significant number of young patients were admitted for bilateral total hip replacements(THR)secondary to AVN following steroid use for COVID-19 treatment.AIM To assess the efficacy of bilateral pericapsular end nerve group(PENG)blocks in patients posted for bilateral THR post-steroid therapy after COVID-19 infection and assess the time taken to first ambulate after surgery.METHODS This prospective observational study was conducted between January 2023 and August 2023 at Care Hospitals,Hyderabad,India.Twenty young patients 30-35 years of age who underwent bilateral THR were studied after due consent over 8 months.All the patients received spinal anaesthesia for surgery and bilateral PENG blocks for postoperative analgesia.RESULTS The duration of surgery was 2.5 h on average.Seventeen out of twenty patients(85%)had a Visual Analog Score(VAS)of less than 2 and did not require any supplementation.One patient was removed from the study,as he required re-exploration.The remaining two patients had a VAS of more than 8 and received IV morphine post-operatively as a rescue analgesic drug.Fifteen out of seventeen patients(88.2%)could be mobilized 12 h after the procedure.CONCLUSION Osteonecrosis or AVN of the hip was one of the dreaded complications of COVID-19,which surfaced in patients who received steroid therapy requiring surgical intervention.Bilateral PENG block is an effective technique to provide post-operative analgesia resulting in early mobilization and enhanced recovery after surgery.

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of fluorinated Schiff's base liquid crystals containing vinyl end groups

Three kinds of fluorinated Schiff＇s base esters, 4-allyloxy-2-X-6-X-benzoic acid 4-[（2, 3, 4-trifluorophenylimino）methyl]phenyl ester, where X=H or F, were synthesized and characterized. Their chemical structures were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and ^1H nuclear magnetic resonance （^1H NMR）. Their mesomorphic properties were studied by polarized optical microscopy （POM） and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. It was found that all the three compounds exhibited enantiotropic nematic phases only. And their cleating point temperature and thermal range of mesophase decreased with the number of fluorine atoms on the rigid core of the compounds; while their melting point temperature showed no distinct regularity.

Synthesis of Polycaprolactone with Two Carboxyl End Groups

At 225℃. caprolactone has been polymerized in the presence of succinic acid under dry nitrogen atmosphere. Characterizations of the polymer through IR and molecular weight measurements by 1H-NMR and end group titration have shown that the polycaprolactone obtained is of two carboxyl end groups. The molecular weight of it increases with decreasing of the acid content in the reaction mixture under the same polymerization conditions. With a certain ratio of acid to caprolactone. the maximum of molecular weight of the polymer will be reached at the reaction time of 3h.

Theoretical Design of High-spin Organic Molecules with —~*N—S— as a Spin-containing Fragment and Heterocycle as End Groups

Novel stable high-spin molecules possessing three different arranging fashions were designed with —^＊N—S— as a spin-containing （SC） fragment, an aromatic group, such as benzene （ 1 ）, pyridine （2）, pyridazine （3） , pyrimidine （4）, pyrazine （5） or triazine （6） as end groups （EG）, and phenyl as a ferromagnetic coupling （FC） unit. The effects of different EG on the spin multiplicities of the ground states and their stabilities were investigated by means of the AM1-CI approach. All the investigated molecules corresponded to the FC and possessed high-spin ground states. The spin on the two atoms of the SC fragment was not in agreement with the delocalization results in the specific stability of —^＊N—S—. In those molecules, the stabilities of the triplet states decreased when the distance between the atoms of central SC fragments （—N—） increased. The stabilities of the triplet states of compounds 1a-n, 1b-n and 1c-n, with heterocycles as EG were higher than those of the triplet states of those compounds with phenyl as EG. Furthermore, the stahilities of the triplet states of the compounds with pyrimidine and triazine as EG were higher than those with pyridine, pyridazine or pyrasine as EG.

Molecular Reactivity and Interface Stability Modification in In-Situ Gel Electrolyte for High Performance Quasi-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery is a promising candidate for next generation high energy density and high safety power supply.Despite intensive efforts on electrolytes,uncontrolled interfacial reactions on lithium with electrolyte and patchy interfacial contacts still hinder its practical process.Herein,we bring in rationally designed F contained groups into polymer skeleton via in-situ gelation for the first time to establish quasi-solid-state battery.This method achieves a capacity retention of 90%after 1000 cycles at 0.5C with LiFePO_(4)cathodes.The interface constructed by polymer skeleton and reaction with–CF_(3)lead to the predicted solid electrolyte interface species with high stability.Furthermore,we optimize molecular reactivity and interface stability with regulating F contained end groups in the polymer.Comparisons on different structures reveal that high performance solid stable lithium metal batteries rely on chemical modification as well as stable polymer skeleton,which is more critical to construct robust and steady SEI with uniform lithium deposition.New approach with functional groups regulation proposes a more stable cycling process with a capacity retention of 94.2%at 0.5C and 87.6%at 1C after 1000 cycles with LiFePO_(4) cathodes,providing new insights for the practical development of quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery.

Grid Side Distributed Energy Storage Cloud Group End Region Hierarchical Time-Sharing Configuration Algorithm Based onMulti-Scale and Multi Feature Convolution Neural Network

There is instability in the distributed energy storage cloud group end region on the power grid side.In order to avoid large-scale fluctuating charging and discharging in the power grid environment and make the capacitor components showa continuous and stable charging and discharging state,a hierarchical time-sharing configuration algorithm of distributed energy storage cloud group end region on the power grid side based on multi-scale and multi feature convolution neural network is proposed.Firstly,a voltage stability analysis model based onmulti-scale and multi feature convolution neural network is constructed,and the multi-scale and multi feature convolution neural network is optimized based on Self-OrganizingMaps(SOM)algorithm to analyze the voltage stability of the cloud group end region of distributed energy storage on the grid side under the framework of credibility.According to the optimal scheduling objectives and network size,the distributed robust optimal configuration control model is solved under the framework of coordinated optimal scheduling at multiple time scales;Finally,the time series characteristics of regional power grid load and distributed generation are analyzed.According to the regional hierarchical time-sharing configuration model of“cloud”,“group”and“end”layer,the grid side distributed energy storage cloud group end regional hierarchical time-sharing configuration algorithm is realized.The experimental results show that after applying this algorithm,the best grid side distributed energy storage configuration scheme can be determined,and the stability of grid side distributed energy storage cloud group end region layered timesharing configuration can be improved.

STUDIES ON THE INITIATION MECHANISM OF ORGANIC PEROXIDE AND N-METHACRYLOYLOXYETHYL-N-METHYL ANILINE IN METHYL METHACRYLATE POLYMERIZATION

The initiation mechanism of methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization by organic peroxide and polymerizable aromatic tertiary amine such as N-methacryloyloxyethyl-N-methyl aniline (MEMA) binary system has been studied. The kinetics of polymerization of MMA and the ESR spectra of organic peroxide/MEMA system were determined. Based on the ESR study and the end-group analysis by UV spectra of the polymer formed, the initiation mechanism is proposed.

SURFACE RHEOLOGY OF POLYMERIC SOLIDS

Surface molecular motions of amorphous polymeric solids have been directly measured on the basis of scanningviscoelasticity microscopic (SVM) and lateral force microscopic (LFM) measurements. SVM and LFM measurements werecarried out for films of conventional monodisperse polystyrene (PS) with sec-butyl and proton-terminated end groups atroom temperature. In the case of the number-average molecular weight, M_n, less than ca. 4.0×10~4, the surface was in a glass-rubber transition state even though the bulk glass transition temperature, T_g was far above room temperature, meaning thatthe surface molecular motion was fairly active compared with that in the bulk. LFM measurements of the, monodisperse PSfilms at various scanning rates and temperatures revealed that the time-temperature superposition was applicable to thesurface mechanical relaxation behavior and also that the surface glass transition temperature, T_g~σ, was depressed incomparison with the bulk one even though the magnitude of M_n was fairly high at 1.40×10~5. The surface molecular motionof monodisperse PS with various chain end groups was investigated on the basis of temperature-dependent scanningviscoelasticity microscopy (TDSVM). The T_g~σs for the PS films with M_n of 4.9×10~6 to 1.45×10~6 measured by TDSVMwere smaller than those for the bulk one, with corresponding M_ns, and the T_g~σs for M_ns smaller than ca. 4.0×10~4 were lowerthan room temperature (293 K). The active thermal molecular motion at the polymeric solid surface can be interpreted interms of an excess free volume near the surface region induced by the surface localization of chain end groups. In the case ofM_n=ca. 5.0×10~4, the T_g~σs for the α, ω-diamino-terminated PS (α,ω-PS(NH_2)_2) and α, ω-dicarboxy-terminated PS (α, ω-PS(COOH)_2) films were higher than that of the PS film. The change of T_g~σ for the PS film with various chain end groups canbe explained in terms of the depth distribution of chain end groups at the surface region depending on the relativehydrophobicity.

STUDIES ON ORGANIC PEROXIDE/N, NDI(2-α-METHYL-ACRYLOYLOXY PROPYL)-PARA-TOLUIDINE BINARY SYSTEMS

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by organic peroxide and polymerizable aromatic tertiary amine such as N, N-di (2-α-methylacryloyloxy propyl)-p-toluidine (MP)_2PT binary system has been studied. It was found that the (MP)_2PT promotes MMA polymerization, and the kinetics of MMA polymerization fits the radical polymerization rate equation. Based on the ESR studies and the end-group analysis the initiation mechanism is proposed.

STUDIES ON THE INITIATION MECHANISM OF CERIC ION AND ACETYLACETONE REDOX SYSTEM IN VINYL POLYMERIZATION

The initiation mechanism of acrylamide (AAM)polymerization using ceric ion/acetylacetone system as an initiator has been studied. The redox polymerization was revealed by the low value of overall activation energy of AAm polymerization. The structure of free radicals formed from above-mentioned initiation sytem were detected by radical trapping and ESR spectra techniques and the end groups of polymers obtained were determined by FT-IR spectra analysis method. Based on these results the initiation mechanism is proposed.

VINYL RADICAL POLYMERIZATION INITIATED WITH CERIC ION AND N-(SUBSTITUTED PHENYL) ACETAMIDE SYSTEMS

The polymerization of acrylamide (AAM)in H_2O/DMF or in H_2O/CH_3CN mixed solvent initiated with ceric ion (Ce^(4+) )/N-(substituted phenyl)-acetamide systems have been studied. The redox polymerization was revealed by the low value of overall activation energy (E_α) of AAM polymerization using ceric ion/N-(substituted phenyl) acetamide system as an initiator. The end group of polymer formed was detected by IR spectrum analysis method, it revealed the presence of N-(m-acetoxy-methylphenyl) acetamide (m-AAe) moiety end group in the polymer obtained with ceric ion/m-AAe initiation system.

The development of A-DA’D-A type nonfullerene acceptors containing non-halogenated end groups

Compared with perovskite solar cells and silicon solar cells,the excessive voltage loss(Vloss)becomes a stubborn stone that seriously hinders the further improvement of organic photovoltaic(OPV).Thus,many researchers focus on finding an effective material system to achieve high-performance OPVs with low Vloss.In recent 5 years,acceptor-donor-acceptor’-donor-acceptor(A-DA’D-A)type non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)have attracted great attention because of their promising photovoltaic performance.Among them,A-DA’D-A type NFAs containing non-halogenated end group(NHEG)exhibit the large potential to achieve high open-circuit voltage(VOC)for the state-of-the-art OPVs,because of high-lying molecular energy levels and decreasing Vloss.In this review,we systematically summarize the recent development of A-DA’D-A type NHEG-NFAs and the impact of different NHEGs on the optoelectronic properties as well as the photovoltaic performance.In addition,we especially analyze the Vloss of NHEG-NFAs in the binary and ternary OPV devices.At last,we provide perspectives on the further molecular design and future challenges for this kind of materials as well as suggested solutions.

π-Extended End Groups Enable High-Performance All-Polymer Solar Cells with Near-Infrared Absorption

Narrow-bandgap n-type polymers are essential for advancing the development of all-polymer solar cells(all-PSCs).Herein,we developed a novel polymer acceptor PNT withπ-extended 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-ylidene)malononitrile(CPNM)end groups.Compared to commonly used 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1ylidene)malononitrile(IC)units,CPNM units have a further extended fused ring,providing the PNT polymer with extended absorption into the near-IR region(903 nm)and exhibiting a narrow optical bandgap(1.37 eV).Furthermore,PNT exhibits a high electron mobility(6.79×10^(−4) cm^(2)·V^(−1)·S^(−1))and a relatively high-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)energy level of−3.80 eV.When blended with PBDB-T,all-PSC achieves a power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 13.7%and a high short-circuit current density(JSC)of 24.4 mA·cm^(−2),mainly attributed to broad absorption(600—900 nm)and efficient charge separation and collection.Our study provides a promising polymer acceptor for all-PSCs and demonstrates thatπ-extended CPNM units are important to achieve high-performance for all-PSCs.

Tuning the intermolecular interaction of A_(2)-A_(1)-D-A_(1)-A_(2) type non-fullerene acceptors by substituent engineering for organic solar cells with ultrahigh V_(OC) of ~1.2 V

For non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)with linear A_(2)-A_(1)-D-A_(1)-A_(2) backbone,there are three kinds of possible intermolecular interaction,A_(1)-A_(1),A_(1)-A_(2) and A_(2)-A_(2) stacking.Hence,it is a huge challenge to control this interaction and investigate the effect of intermolecular stacking model on the photovoltaic performance.Here,we adopt a feasible strategy,by utilizing different substituent groups on terminal A2 unit of dicyanomethylene rhodanine(RCN),to modulate this stacking model.According to theoretical calculation results,the molecule BTA3 with ethyl substituent packs via heterogeneous interaction between A_(2) and A_(1) unit in neighboring molecules.Surprisingly,the benzyl group can effectively transform the aggregation of BTA5 into homogeneous packing of A_(2)-A_(2) model,which might be driven by the strong interaction between benzyl and A1(benzotriazole)unit.However,different with benzyl,phenyl end group impedes the intermolecular interaction of BTA4 due to the large steric hindrance.When using a BTA-based D-π-A polymer J52-F as donor according to“Same-A-Strategy”,BTA3-5 could achieve ultrahigh open-circuit voltage(VOC)of 1.17–1.21 V.Finally,BTA5 with benzyl groups realized an improved power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 11.27%,obviously higher than that of BTA3(PCE=9.04%)and BTA4(PCE=5.61%).It is also worth noting that the same trend can be found when using other four classic p-type polymers of P3HT,PTB7,PTB7-Th and PBDB-T.This work not only investigates the intermolecular interaction of A_(2)-A_(1)-D-A_(1)-A_(2) type NFAs for the first time,but also provides a straightforward and universal method to change the interaction model and improve the photovoltaic performance.

Side-chains Engineering of Conjugated Polymers toward Additive-free Non-fullerene Organic Solar Cells

Side-chain engineering plays a significant role in the design of conjugated materials. In this work, a series of conjugated polymers PBDB-T-R with functionalized groups at the end of side units were developed as electron donor for organic solar cells(OSCs). The donor polymers PBDB-T-I and PBDB-T-OAc with iodine and acetate end groups exhibited similar absorption and energy levels, but showed much improved PCEs in OSCs compared to the polymer PBDB-T-H without substitutions at the end groups. Additionally, we found that PBDB-T-I and PBDB-T-OAc based cells exhibited optimized performance when using chloroform as solution-processed solvent without any additives. These results indicate that these conjugated polymers can act as self-additive to fabricate photoactive layers via solution process in OSCs.