Theoretical study on the second-order nonlinear optical properties and reorganization energy of silafluorenes and spirobisilafluorenes derivatives

Abstract

The electronic absorption and emission spectra, second-order polarizability and reorganization energy of the twenty silafluorenes and spirobisilafluorenes derivatives have been studied at the density functional theory level. The results show that the second-order polarizability (β) increases with increase in the number of the branches due to cooperative enhancement of the charge transfer, whereas the reorganization energy (λ) follows the opposite trend for the studied compounds. The properties (β and λ) of the compounds at the 3, 6-positions substitution are much better than those of compounds at the 2, 7-positions substitution. The effects of donor/acceptor (D/A) substitution and different spiroatoms (silicon or carbon) on second-order polarizability and reorganization energy are also discussed. It is noted that the charge transport properties can be tuned by changing the donor/acceptor (D/A) substitution, and the acceptor substitution can greatly reduce the reorganization energy. The electronic absorption spectra show that all studied compounds can meet the requirement of nonlinear optical (NLO) transparency. Thus, increasing the number of branches and acceptor substitution can remarkably enhance performance of this kind of compounds. Based on larger β, smaller λ and excellent optical transparency, this kind of compounds have a possibility to be excellent second-order NLO or charge transport materials.