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Quaternized Pyridyloxy Phthalocyanines Render Aqueous Electron‐Donor Carbon Nanotubes as Unprecedented Supramolecular Materials for Energy Conversion
Author(s) -
AnayaPlaza Eduardo,
Oliva María Moreno,
Kunzmann Andreas,
RomeroNieto Carlos,
Costa Rubén D.,
de la Escosura Andrés,
Guldi Dirk M.,
Torres Tomás
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201503002
Subject(s) - materials science , supramolecular chemistry , carbon nanotube , aqueous solution , nanotechnology , energy transformation , energy conversion efficiency , electron donor , organic solar cell , characterization (materials science) , phthalocyanine , electron acceptor , chemical engineering , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , optoelectronics , chemistry , polymer , molecule , physics , engineering , composite material , thermodynamics
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.