Achieving Long-Lived Triplet States in Intramolecular SF Films through Molecular Engineering

Abstract

Summary Tuning singlet fission (SF) dynamics in the solid states in a controllable way is vitally important yet still a challenge due to the electronic coupling, which is highly sensitive to molecular packing. Here, we demonstrate a molecular engineering approach to independently optimize the triplet generation and decay process in intramolecular SF films by using terphenyl-bridged TIPS-pentacene tetramers. By controlling the degree of steric hindrance within individual tetramers, we can systematically tune the degree of intermolecular coupling in thin films. Taking advantage of both the intra- and intermolecular SF processes allows us to maintain a rapid triplet pair generation process, even in the case of weak intermolecular coupling. This approach allows us to maintain a picosecond triplet generation process while simultaneously varying the rate constants for triplet-triplet annihilation over three orders of magnitude.