CHEMISREY
Perylenediimide-functionalized silsesquioxane nanoribbons for organic-based
photovoltaics. LAN XU* and HEMALI RATHNAYAKE, Department of Chemistry,
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101.
Organic semiconductors functionalized nanostructures are becoming as promising
materials for electronic device applications in particularly for organic-based
photovoltaics (OPVs). Here we describe the potential applicability of perylenediimide
functionalized siloxane nanoribbons as an acceptor for OPVs. We have developed
synthetic procedures to make perylenediimide-functionalized nanoribbons and
nanochains by based catalyzed condensation of their respective silane precursors. The
derivative of monoethoxy functionalized perylene silane precursor gave optically
active nanoribbons upon hydrolysis in the presence of NH4OH as a base. These
nanoribbons were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
elemental analysis, and polarized optical microscopy. The photophysical properties in
solution phase were also studied. Using a similar method, we were able to make
nanochains from perylenediimide functionalized diethoxy silane precursor by
hydrolysis and condensation. The future studies will focus on evaluating photovoltaic
performance of these nanostructures as an acceptor for OPVs.