Publications

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries (LSBs) have high energy densities and employ inexpensive materials. However, the poor sulfur conductivity and rapid capacity fading hamper their applications. We developed a free-standing composite cathode based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), whose fabrication follows a solution-based, scalable method. The two CNT types create a synergic effect: SWCNTs result in high conductivity, high surface area, and mechanical strength/flexibility; MWCNTs’ larger pores ensure facile ionic diffusion and trapping of lithium polysulfides. The composite cathode exhibits a peak discharge capacity of 1221 mAh/g, maintaining 876 mAh/g after 100 cycles at a 0.1C rate.

The rational design of organic crystalline materials is exceedingly challenging owing to the insufficient understanding of crystallization mechanisms. Here, we used a polymer (polystyrene) as a crystallization medium for an organic semiconductor (rubrene). This enabled a slow crystallization process whose mechanism was elucidated via direct transmission electron microscopy imaging and further employed to control crystallization and fabricate devices based on rubrene crystals. The elucidated mechanism involved (1) the initial formation of amorphous aggregates; (2) nucleation within the aggregates; (3) crystal growth; (4) break up into single nanocrystals; and (5) oriented attachment of nanocrystals to form platelet-like crystals. This mechanistic insight indicated that uniform nonclassical nucleation can be realized using a precise temperature control, leading to high-quality rubrene crystals. By employing this methodology, we fabricated solution-processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic phototransistors (OPTs) that exhibited high mobility, reproducibility, and environmental stability. The devices showed an average mobility of 1 ± 0.8 cm2 V–1 s–1, a threshold voltage of −10 ± 6 V, and an on/off ratio of up to 106. Under white light irradiation, rubrene OPTs exhibited strong photoresponse with a photo/dark current ratio of P ≈ 105. Our work demonstrated that mechanistic information can be employed to fabricate high-quality OFETs, having implications for the rational design of crystalline organic electronic materials.

Understanding inorganic nanocrystal (NC) growth dynamic pathways under their native fabrication environment remains a central goal of science, as it is crucial for rationalizing novel nanoformulations with desired architectures and functionalities. We here present an in-situ method for quantifying, in real time, NCs’ size evolution at sub-nm resolution, their concentration, and reactants consumption rate for studying NC growth mechanisms. Analyzing sequential high-resolution liquid-state ¹⁹F-NMR spectra obtained in-situ and validating by ex-situ cryoTEM, we explore the growth evolution of fluoride-based NCs (CaF₂ and SrF₂) in water, without disturbing the synthesis conditions. We find that the same nanomaterial (CaF₂) can grow by either a particle-coalescence or classical-growth mechanism, as regulated by the capping ligand, resulting in different crystallographic properties and functional features of the fabricated NC. The ability to reveal, in real time, mechanistic pathways at which NCs grow open unique opportunities for tunning the properties of functional materials.

Sustainable energy storage devices are required in view of the current demand for environmentally friendly technology. We fabricated a fully recyclable electrochemical double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC), based on multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrodes, an organic nanocrystalline (ONC) dielectric membrane, and an aqueous electrolyte. The entire EDLC device was fabricated and recycled using simple solution processing. The pristine and recycled EDLC devices maintained high stability after 18,000 cycles in cyclic voltammetry testing. Our results advance a concept of sustainable energy storage devices that are easy to fabricate and recycle.

Organic photovoltaics enable cost-efficient, tunable, and flexible platforms for solar energy conversion, yet their performance and stability are still far from optimal. Here, we present a study of photoinduced charge transfer processes between electron donor and acceptor organic nanocrystals as part of a pathfinding effort to develop robust and efficient organic nanocrystalline materials for photovoltaic applications. For this purpose, we utilized nanocrystals of perylenediimides as the electron acceptors and nanocrystalline copper phthalocyanine as the electron donor. Three different configurations of donor-acceptor heterojunctions were prepared. Charge transfer in the heterojunctions was studied with Kelvin probe force microscopy under laser or white light excitation. Moreover, detailed morphology characterizations and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were conducted to understand the differences in the photovoltaic processes of these organic nanocrystals. Our work demonstrates that excitonic properties can be tuned by controlling the crystal and interface structures in the nanocrystalline heterojunctions, leading to a minimization of photovoltaic losses.

CONSPECTUS: Most robust functional organic materials are currently based on polymers. These materials exhibit high stability, but once formed they are difficult to modify, adapt to their environment, and recycle. Materials based on small molecules that are held together by noncovalent interactions can offer an alternative to conventional polymer materials for applications that require adaptive and stimuli-responsive features. However, it is challenging to engineer macroscopic noncovalent materials that are sufficiently robust for practical applications.This Account summarizes progress made by our group towards the development of noncovalent "aqua materials" based on well-defined organic molecules. These materials are uniquely assembled in aqueous media, where they harness the strength of hydrophobic and is pi-pi interactions between large aromatic groups to achieve robustness. Despite their high stability, these supramolecular systems can dynamically respond to external stimuli. We discuss design principles, fundamental properties, and applications of two classes of aqua materials: (1) supramolecular gels and (2) nanocrystalline arrays. The materials were characterized by a combination of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques, electrical measurements, molecular modeling, and high-resolution microscopic imaging, in particular cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM).All investigated aqua materials are based on one key building block, perylene diimide (PDI). PDI exhibits remarkably stable intermolecular bonds, together with useful chemical and optoelectronic properties. PDI-based amphiphiles carrying poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were designed to form linear supramolecular polymers in aqueous media. These one-dimensional arrays of noncovalently linked molecules can entangle and form three-dimensional supramolecular networks, leading to soft gel-like materials. Tuning the strength of interactions between fibers enables dynamic adjustment of viscoelastic properties and functional characteristics. Besides supramolecular gels, we show that simple PDI-based molecules can self-assemble in aqueous medium to form robust organic nanocrystals (ONCs). The mechanical and optoelectronic properties of ONCs are distinctly different from gel-phase materials. ONCs are excellent building blocks for macroscopic free-standing materials that can be used in dry state, unlike hydrogels. Being constructed from small molecules, ONC materials are easy to fabricate and recycle. High thermal robustness, good mechanical properties, and modular design render ONC materials versatile and suitable for a variety of applications.In the future, noncovalent aqua materials can become a sustainable alternative to conventional polymer materials. Examples from our research include stimuli-responsive and recyclable filtration membranes for preparative nanoparticle separation, water purification and catalysis, light-harvesting hydrogels for solar energy conversion, and nanocrystalline films for switchable surface coatings and electronic devices.

We report on the fabrication and characterization of organic phototransistors (OPTs) based on fluorescent nanocrystals assembLed from a simple organic dye molecule (N,N' -bis(2,4-dimethylpent-3-yl)perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide, DMP-PDI). The OPT active Layer is based on DMP-PDI nanocrystals assembLed in aqueous solution or within polymer films. Despite the absence of any pi-overlap, the nanocrystals show mobilities as high as (5 +/- 1) x 10(-3) cm(2) V-1 s(-1) in polymer films, which is due to imide/ pi-core noncovalent interactions Leading to substantial electronic coupling as revealed by computational studies. The OPTs strongly respond to white Light irradiation, resulting in a decrease in threshoLd voltage by as much as 40 V. OPTs based on nanocrystals assembLed within poLymer fiLms have threshoLd voltages dose to 0 V upon illumination and a high photo/dark current ratio (P = 4 x 10(3)). We show that the organic crystals Lacking pi-overlap mediate charge mobility and are advantageous as active Layers for OPTs due to diminished nonradiative decay.

An amphiphile based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer and two molecular moieties (perylene diimide and C-7 fluoroalkyl, PDI and C7F) attached to its termini assembles into crystalline films with long-range order. The films reversibly switch from crystalline to amorphous above the PEG melting temperature. The adaptive behavior stems from the responsiveness of the PEG domain and the robustness of the PDI and C7F assemblies. The hydrophobicity of the film can be controlled by heating, resulting in switching from highly hydrophobic to superhydrophilic. The long-range order, reversible crystallinity switching, and the temperature-controlled wettability demonstrate the potential of block copolymer analogues based on simple polymeric/molecular hybrids.

Several transition metal ions, like Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ complex to the ditopic ligand 1,4-bis(2,2': 6', 2 ''-terpyridin-4'-yl) benzene (L). Due to the high association constant, metal-ion induced self-assembly of Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ leads to extended, rigid-rod like metallo-supramolecular coordination polyelectrolytes (MEPEs) even in aqueous solution. Here, we present the kinetics of growth of MEPEs. The species in solutions are analyzed by light scattering, viscometry and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). At near-stoichiometric amounts of the reactants, we obtained high molar masses, which follow the order NiMEPE & Co-MEPE

This review discusses one-dimensional supramolecular polymers that form in aqueous media. First, naturally occurring supramolecular polymers are described, in particular, amyloid fibrils, actin filaments, and microtubules. Their structural, thermodynamic, kinetic, and nanomechanical properties are highlighted, as well as their importance for the advancement of biologically inspired supramolecular polymer materials. Second, five classes of synthetic supramolecular polymers are described: systems based on (1) hydrogen-bond motifs, (2) large pi-conjugated surfaces, (3) host guest interactions, (4) peptides, and (5) DNA. We focus on recent studies that address key challenges in the field, providing mechanistic understanding, rational polymer design, important functionality, robustness, or unusual thermodynamic and kinetic properties.

The conclusions reached by a diverse group of scientists who attended an intense 2-day workshop on hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites are presented, including their thoughts on the most burning fundamental and practical questions regarding this unique class of materials, and their suggestions on various approaches to resolve these issues.

Metal-organic self-assembly has proven to be of great use in constructing structures of increasing size and intricacy, but the largest assemblies lack the functions associated with the ability to bind guests. Here we demonstrate the self-assembly of two simple organic molecules with Cd^II and Pt^II into a giant heterometallic supramolecular cube which is capable of binding a variety of mono- and dianionic guests within an enclosed cavity greater than 4200 ų. Its structure was established by X-ray crystallography and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. This cube is the largest discrete abiological assembly that has been observed to bind guests in solution; cavity enclosure and coulombic effects appear to be crucial drivers of host-guest chemistry at this scale. The degree of cavity occupancy, however, appears less important: the largest guest studied, bound the most weakly, occupying only 11-% of the host cavity. Brobdingnagian: A giant, heterometallic cube with host-guest properties was prepared by successful application of a rational strategy to increase the dimensions whilst maintaining an enclosed cavity (see X-ray crystal structure). A variety of mono- and dianionic guests was bound in the cavity in solution. Hierarchical aggregation of the cubes into a rigid monolayer was visualized by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy.

Hybrid organic/lead halide perovskites are promising materials for solar cell fabrication, resulting in efficiencies up to 18%. The most commonly studied perovskites are CH₃NH₃PbI₃ and CH₃NH₃PbI_3-x Cl_x where x is small. Importantly, in the latter system, the presence of chloride ion source in the starting solutions used for the perovskite deposition results in a strong increase in the overall charge diff usion length. In this work we investigate the crystallization parameters relevant to fabrication of perovskite materials based on CH₃NH₃PbI₃ and CH₃NH₃PbBr₃. We find that the addition of PbCl₂ to the solutions used in the perovskite synthesis has a remarkable eff ect on the end product, because PbCl₂ nanocrystals are present during the fabrication process, acting as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of perovskite crystals in solution. We base this conclusion on SEM studies, synthesis of perovskite single crystals, and on cryo-TEM imaging of the frozen mother liquid. Our studies also included the effect of different substrates and substrate temperatures on the perovskite nucleation efficiency. In view of our findings, we optimized the procedures for solar cells based on lead bromide perovskite, resulting in 5.4% efficiency and V_oc of 1.24 V, improving the performance in this class of devices. Insights gained from understanding the hybrid perovskite crystallization process can aid in rational design of the polycrystalline absorber films, leading to their enhanced performance.

Synthetic peptides offer enormous potential to encode the assembly of molecular electronic components, provided that the complex range of interactions is distilled into simple design rules. Here, we report a spectroscopic investigation of aggregation in an extensive series of peptide-perylene diiimide conjugates designed to interrogate the effect of structural variations. By fitting different contributions to temperature dependent optical absorption spectra, we quantify both the thermodynamics and the nature of aggregation for peptides by incrementally varying hydrophobicity, charge density, length, as well as asymmetric substitution with a hexyl chain, and stereocenter inversion. We find that coarse effects like hydrophobicity and hexyl substitution have the greatest impact on aggregation thermodynamics, which are separated into enthalpic and entropic contributions. Moreover, significant peptide packing effects are resolved via stereocenter inversion studies, particularly when examining the nature of aggregates formed and the coupling between it electronic orbitals. Our results develop a quantitative framework for establishing structure function relationships that will underpin the design of self-assembling peptide electronic materials.

We used a helical polymer backbone (polyacrylamide) as a scaffold to organize perylene diimide chromophores into well-defined foldamers, which further undergo self-assembly into supramolecular tube-like arrays in aqueous media, as revealed by cryo-TEM imaging. The arrays are supramolecular polymers, whose structure is templated by folded primary building blocks, representing a useful tool for directing self-assembly. Exciton migration in the supramolecular arrays was studied by transient absorption and revealed a moderate exciton diffusion propensity.

Membrane separation of biomolecules and their application in biocatalysis is becoming increasingly important for biotechnology, demanding the development of new biocompatible materials with novel properties. In the present study, an entirely noncovalent water-based material is used as a membrane for size-selective separation, immobilization, and biocatalytic utilization of proteins. The membrane shows stable performance under physiological conditions, allowing filtration of protein mixtures with a 150 kDa molecular weight cutoff (∼8 nm hydrodynamic diameter cutoff). Due to the biocompatibility of the membrane, filtered proteins stay functionally active and retained proteins can be partially recovered. Upon filtration, large enzymes become immobilized within the membrane. They exhibit stable activity when subjected to a constant flux of substrates for prolonged periods of time, which can be used to carry out heterogeneous biocatalysis. The noncovalent membrane material can be easily disassembled, purified, reassembled, and reused, showing reproducible performance after recycling. The robustness, recyclability, versatility, and biocompatibility of the supramolecular membrane may open new avenues for manipulating biological systems.

Noncovalent systems are adaptive and allow facile processing and recycling. Can they be at the same time robust? How can one rationally design such systems? Can they compete with high-performance covalent materials? The recent literature reveals that noncovalent systems can be robust yet adaptive, self-healing, and recyclable, featuring complex nanoscale structures and unique functions. We review such systems, focusing on the rational design of strong noncovalent interactions, kinetically controlled pathway-dependent processes, complexity, and function. The overview of the recent examples points at the emergent field of noncovalent nanomaterials that can represent a versatile, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional covalent systems.

Elucidation of photoinduced charge transfer behavior in organic dye/metal hybrids is important for developing photocatalytic systems for solar energy conversion. We report the synthesis and photophysical characterization of a perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI)-ruthenium(II) complex, bis-PDI-2,2′-bipyridineRu(II)Cl₂(CN^tbutyl) ₂, which has favorable energetics, ΔG_CS ≈ -1.0 eV, for singlet electron transfer from the Ru complex to PDI. Time-resolved optical spectroscopy reveals that upon selective photoexcitation of PDI, ultrafast charge transfer (

It was recently reported (Shirman, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2008, 112, 8855) that the stable dianion of perylene diimide can be prepared in water. Herein, a computational study (using DFT at the M06-2X/6-31++G* level of theory) of this species is presented. It is shown that this dianion is aromatic and that its reaction with water is highly endergonic. The primary cause for this is the stabilization provided by the enhanced aromaticity of the dianion relative to its neutral counterpart. Comparison with other aromatic dianions is also presented.

Rhodium complexes based on the electron-withdrawing PCP-type pincer ligand dipyrrolylphoshi-noxylene (DPyPX, ^PyrPCP) were synthesized and their reactivity was studied. Reaction of Rh^I(^pyrPCP)PR ₃ (2) (R = Et (a). Ph (b); Pyr (pyrrolyl, NC₄H ₄) (c); Pyd (pyrrolydinyl, NC₄H₈) (d)) with MeI was strongly dependent on the sterics and nucleophilicity of PR3. Complex 2a (PEt₃ cone angle, Θ^o, 132°) reacted with MeI to give isomers of Rh^ΠI(^PyrPCP)Me(I)PEt₃, 3. Reaction of 2b (Θ^o_PR3 = 145°, R = Pyd (2d), Ph (2b), Pyr (2c)) with MeI was accompanied by release of PPh₃ and is thought to proceed via the 14e intermediate Rh^I(^PyrPCP). While the PPyd₃ complex 2d reacted with MeI to give [Rh ^ΠI(^PyrPCP)Me(I)₂][MePPyd₃], 4a, the PPyr₃ complex 2c did not react, owing to Steric hindrance around Rh¹ and the low nucleophilicity of PPyr₃. The aptitude of complexes 2 toward activation of H₂ was also examined. Our results support the involvement of 14e intermediates in the olefin hydrogenation process. The ancillary ligand substitution at the Rh^I center of 2 was found to proceed by an associative mechanism. ML₅ d⁸ intermediates were clearly detected by ³¹P{ ¹H} NMR at 213 K during equilibrium between 2a and 2c.

(Chemical Equation Presented) A novel method for the bromination of perylene diimides, PDI (1), under mild conditions is reported. Variation of the reaction conditions allows mono- and dibromination of PDIs to afford 2 and 3 (these can be separated through standard procedures) or exclusive dibromination to afford 3. Pure 1,7 regioisomers are obtained through repetitive crystallization. The structure of 1,7-3b was elucidated by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. The facility of the bromination reaction, which decreases in the order 1a > 1b > 1c, depends on PDI aggregation propensities. Monobrominated PDIs were utilized for the syntheses of novel unsymmetrical piperidinyl (4a and 4b) and trimethylsilylethynyl derivatives (5a and 5b). Computational studies (DFT) on imide substituent rotation in PDIs reveal that in the case of bulky groups there is a restricted rotation leading to isomers, in agreement with our experimental results. An aromatic core twist in PDIs bearing one and two bromine substituents was also investigated by DFT.

The aryl-PC type ligand 3, benzyl(di-tert-butyl)phosphane, reacts with [Rh(coe)₂(solv)_n]BF₄ (coe = cyclooctene, solv = solvent), producing the C-H activated complexes 4a-c (solv = (a) acetone, (b) THF, (c) methanol). Complexes 4a-c undergo reversible arene C-H activation (observed by NMR spin saturation transfer experiments, SST) and H/D exchange into the hydride and aryl ortho-H with ROD (R = D, Me). They also promote catalytic H/D exchange into the vinylic C-H bond of olefins, with deuterated methanol or water utilized as D-donors. Unexpectedly, complex 2, based on the benzyl-PC type ligand 1 (analogous to 3), di-tert-butyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)phosphane, shows a very different reversible C-H activation pattern as observed by SST. It is not active in H/D exchange with ROD and in catalytic H/D exchange with olefins. To clarify our observations regarding C-H activation/reductive elimination in both PC-Rh systems, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. Both nucleophilic (oxidative addition) and electrophilic (H/D exchange) C-H activation proceed through η²-C,H agostic intermediates. In the aryl-PC system the agostic interaction causes C-H bond acidity sufficient for the H/D exchange with water or methanol, which is not the case in the benzyl PC-Rh system. In the latter system the C-H coordination pattern of the methyl controls the reversible C-H oxidative addition leading to energetically different C-H activation processes, in accordance with the experimental observations.

What kind of ligated metal center is necessary for insertion into the “hidden” C−C bond? How can one tune the metal center for C−C bond activation by variation of the steric and electronic properties of ligands? What are the possible mechanisms of C−C bond activation in various reaction systems? A systematic look at the available data on C−C bond activation in solution provides some answers to these questions.