The design and synthesis of small molecules, oligomers and polymers for singlet fission applications.
File(s)
Author(s)
Andrews, Iain Baird
Type
Thesis
Abstract
In the development of OPV devices the drive has always been to improve the power conversion efficiency. One way of achieving this is by increasing the external quantum yield of the
solar cell and thus increasing the current output. Recently there has been a wave of interest in singlet fission, the process by which an excited singlet can be split into two triplets. Unlike intersystem crossing this is a spin-allowed process and happens in pico to femtosecond timescales. Although this occurs with a drop in voltage the maximum quantum yield becomes 200%. This thesis will be concerned with the design and synthesis of compounds with the prospect of them exhibiting intramolecular singlet fission. Reported here is the development of a synthetic route towards oligomers of poly(3-dodecylthienylene vinylene), the design of dimerised diazaacenes and efforts towards their synthesis, and the design and synthesis of anti-aromatic compounds and donor-acceptor polymers synthesised thereof.
solar cell and thus increasing the current output. Recently there has been a wave of interest in singlet fission, the process by which an excited singlet can be split into two triplets. Unlike intersystem crossing this is a spin-allowed process and happens in pico to femtosecond timescales. Although this occurs with a drop in voltage the maximum quantum yield becomes 200%. This thesis will be concerned with the design and synthesis of compounds with the prospect of them exhibiting intramolecular singlet fission. Reported here is the development of a synthetic route towards oligomers of poly(3-dodecylthienylene vinylene), the design of dimerised diazaacenes and efforts towards their synthesis, and the design and synthesis of anti-aromatic compounds and donor-acceptor polymers synthesised thereof.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2018-07
Date Awarded
2018-11
Advisor
Heeney, Martin
Bradley, Donal
Oxborrow, Mark
Alford, Neil
Sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant Number
Award Reference: 1362959
Publisher Department
Physics
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)