Quaternized Pyridyloxy Phthalocyanines Render Aqueous Electron-Donor Carbon Nanotubes as Unprecedented Supramolecular Materials for Energy Conversion

Exploring new properties in known materials, sometimes even achieving behaviors opposite to those traditionally encountered, is a fundamental aspect of innovation in materials science. In the field of energy conversion, for example, the development of water‐processed organic solar cells provides env...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced functional materials 2015-12, Vol.25 (48), p.7418-7427
Main Authors: Anaya-Plaza, Eduardo, Oliva, María Moreno, Kunzmann, Andreas, Romero-Nieto, Carlos, Costa, Rubén D., de la Escosura, Andrés, Guldi, Dirk M., Torres, Tomás
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon nanotubes
Direct power generation
Energy conversion
Immobilization
Photovoltaic cells
phthalocyanines
Single wall carbon nanotubes
Solar cells
supramolecular aqueous photovoltaics
Zinc
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Summary:Exploring new properties in known materials, sometimes even achieving behaviors opposite to those traditionally encountered, is a fundamental aspect of innovation in materials science. In the field of energy conversion, for example, the development of water‐processed organic solar cells provides environmentally friendlier materials, which contribute to reduce health risks. Herein, a novel approach is described to produce water‐soluble electron‐donor single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) hybrids based on the noncovalent immobilization of quaternized pyridyloxy zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPc) with a varying number of pyridyl substituents. Moreover, the excellent electron‐accepting ability of the latter ZnPcs is reported. The introduction of tert‐butylphenyl groups at the pyridines enables for the first time a complete characterization. The electron‐acceptor nature of the ZnPcs enables switching the role of SWCNTs within the resulting supramolecular hybrids. Finally, a proof‐of‐concept demonstration of the SWCNT/ZnPc hybrids' capacity for energy conversion is presented, paving their way to possible use as active layer material in solar cells processed entirely from aqueous solutions. Aqueous carbon nanotube hybrids are developed through supramolecular immobilization of quaternized pyridyloxy phthalocynanines (ZnPc). The water‐solubility and excellent electron‐accepting features of these ZnPc derivatives switch the redox and photophysical properties of single wall carbon nanotubes, which can actually be used for energy conversion.
ISSN:1616-301X
1616-3028
DOI:10.1002/adfm.201503002