There are various ways energy can be harvested. For a long-time, non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear power have been predominantly used. However, in recent years the topic of renewable energy sources has been one of particular interest. Of all the different forms of renewable energy sources, solar energy is especially appealing. Solar energy is harvested through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Traditional solar panels are typically composed of inorganic elements, such as silicon. Organic solar cells offer an alternative method of harnessing this solar energy in which organic molecules are used. These organic molecules are much easier to synthesize, and subsequently, organic solar cells are cheaper to produce.<br/>Recently, dramatic developments in power conversion efficiencies (PCE) have been experienced. The existence of the proton donor and proton acceptors is an important platform in the establishment of organic solar cells. Fullerenes are exceptional electron acceptors on account of their high electron affinity. Extensive work has been on the development of fullerene-based organic solar cells that led to an increase in the PCE of 8% for small-molecule- and 9% for polymer-based organic solar cells. Conversely, fullerene electron acceptors have encountered several shortcomings such as weak absorption in the visible spectral region and easy photo-oxidation. Moreover, the purification process of the fullerene derivatives is extensively tedious and demands sophisticated equipment. To circumvent the insufficiencies of fullerenes it is essential to delve into non-fullerene electron acceptors. Supramolecules such as perylene diimides and subphthalocyanine derivatives can be used as proper substitutes for fullerenes. Furthermore, when compared to fullerenes, subnaphthalocyanines possess very low reorganizational energies. This makes subnapthalocyanine especially appealing as an electron acceptor in a solar cell. Hence, the aims of our research are to have a library of SubNPc molecules and establish the axial linkage with O, N, and carbon nucleophile. The synthesized boron subnaphthalocyanines will serve as model compounds in the development of complex donor-acceptor conjugates in organic photovoltaics.

Subnaphthalocyanine: An organic electron acceptor

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.