Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital Energy Research Articles

Molecular properties of a triazole–Ce(III) complex with antioxidant activity: structure, spectroscopy, and relationships with related derivatives. Influence of the ligands in the complex

A novel Ce(III) complex with the triazole ligand 2b, which presents four H-bonded sites with amino acids of the MMP-2 receptor, was synthesized. The experimental IR and Raman spectra of this Ce(III) complex were well-interpreted based on their comparison to the theoretical scaled spectra using the scaling equations determined by two procedures and four density functional theory (DFT) levels. Therefore, the structure predicted for the synthesized Ce(III) complex was clearly characterized and confirmed. The potential antioxidant action of this complex was compared with the analogous La(III) complex, and it was found that the coordination of ligand 2b with Ce(III) improves the ligand’s ability to participate in single-electron transfer (SET), as observed in the ABTS·+ assay, and this complex seems to scavenge the stable radical much more actively compared to its La(III) counterpart. Additionally, interactions with potassium superoxide and sodium hypochlorite indicate a high pro-oxidant behavior of the complex. The effects of different ligands on the geometric parameters, atomic charges, and molecular properties of the Ce(III) complex were analyzed at four DFT levels, and several relationships were clearly established. These relationships can facilitate the selection of new ligands with improved properties in the design of novel lanthanide–triazole carboxylate complexes with promising biological activity. The ligand size increase in the complexes facilitates the electronic transfer of negative charge, and the low HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital)–LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy gap indicates a large reactivity and low energy for their excitation.

Machine Learning-Assisted Bayesian Optimization for the Discovery of Effective Additives for Dendrite Suppression in Lithium Metal Batteries.

In the pursuit of enhancing the performance and safety of lithium (Li)-metal batteries, the discovery of effective electrolyte additives to suppress Li dendrites has emerged as a paramount objective. In this study, we employ an inverse design strategy to identify potential additives for dendrite mitigation. Two key mechanisms, namely, the formation of robust solid electrolyte interphase layers and the leveling mechanism, serve as the foundation for our investigation. Our inverse design strategy is guided by molecular properties such as the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy and interaction energy upon Li surface adsorption. An active learning process utilizing Bayesian optimization (BO) was utilized to identify potential molecules with ideal properties. Through this screening process, we uncover a collection of 62 molecules with the potential to act as SEI-forming additives, along with 106 molecules for leveling additives, both surpassing the performance of established additives reported in the literature. This work highlights the potential of BO methods in computationally based inverse design of materials for many applications, and the discovered additives could potentially boost the commercialization of Li-metal batteries.

Exploring Electronic and Conformational Attributes of an Organic Donor‐Bridge‐Acceptor Molecular System

AbstractThis research explores the electronic properties and conformational dynamics of the ZnP‐COPV‐ (Zinc Porphyrin ‐ Carbon bridged Oligo Phenylenevinylene ‐ Fullerene) organic semiconductor via specialized Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) computational techniques. First, through DFT calculations, essential HOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital), LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital), and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) electronic attributes are meticulously dissected providing insights into the intricate charge transfer processes between the constituent donor‐acceptor moieties. Furthermore, MD simulations are employed to unveil the molecular system's multifaceted conformational flexibility and stability. The Root‐mean‐squared deviation (RMSD), end‐to‐end distance, and torsional angles quantitative analysis of conformational attributes support the carbon‐bridged oligo‐phenylenevinylene (COPV) molecular wire's ‐skeleton planar and rigid conformation. This minimal end‐to‐end distance variation (within Å) compared to the initially extended structure and the constrained torsional motion (within for ZnP‐COPV and for COPV‐) after thermalization showcases COPV's ability to maintain structural rigidity over time, aligning with the concept of effective ‐conjugation. Finally, through the lens of time dependent (TD)‐DFT, the dynamic evolution of the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, TD‐DFT excitation energies and oscillator strengths are explored as the molecular structure transforms over time. The observed energy gap variation underscores the molecule's adaptability in the face of structural modifications, hinting at an intriguing connection between structural stability and enhanced electronic properties. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between conformational dynamics and electronic attributes in organic semiconductors, providing quantitative insights crucial for designing stable, high‐performance materials for cutting‐edge optoelectronic applications and helping advance the collective understanding of sustainable energy conversion.

Isomeric Dimer Acceptors for Stable Organic Solar Cells with over 19 % Efficiency

AbstractThe strategy of isomerization is known for its simple yet effective role in optimizing molecular configuration and enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the impact of isomerization on the design of dimer acceptors has been rarely investigated, and the relationship between the chemical structure and optoelectronic property remains unclear. In this study, we designed and synthesized two dimer acceptor isomers named D‐TPh and D‐TN, which differ in the positional arrangement of their end capping groups. Compared to D‐TN, D‐TPh exhibited enhanced backbone planarity, elevated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, and more ordered molecular stacking. Consequently, the OSC device based on PM6 : D‐TPh achieved a PCE of 19.05 %, higher than that (PCE=18.42 %) of the device based on PM6 : D‐TN. Large‐area PM6 : D‐TPh devices (1 cm2) yielded a PCE of 18.00 %. More importantly, the extrapolated T80 lifetime of the PM6 : D‐TPh device is over 2800 h with MPP tracking under continuous one‐sun illumination. These results suggest that isomerization strategy is an effective way to optimize the molecular configuration of dimer acceptors for the fabrication of high‐efficiency and stable OSCs.

In Silico Design of Novel Piperazine-Based mTORC1 Inhibitors Through DFT, QSAR and ADME Investigations

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is an important and promising alternative biological target for the treatment of different types of cancer including breast, lung and renal cell carcinoma. This study contributed to the development of mathematical models highlighting the quantitative structure-activity relationship of a series of piperazine derivatives reported as mTORC1 inhibitors. Various molecular descriptors were calculated using Gaussian 09, Chemsketch, and ChemOffice software. The density funcional theory (DFT) method at the level B3LYP/6-31G+(d, p) was applied to determine the structural, electronic and energetic parameters associated with the studied molecules. The predictive ability of the built models, which is obtained by two methods (MLR and MNLR), showed that the built models are statistically significant. The QSAR modeling results revealed that the six molecular descriptors of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO), electrophilicity index (ω), molar refractivity (MR), aqueous solubility (Log S), topological polar surface area (PSA), and refractive index (n) significantly correlated to the biological inhibitory activity of piperazine derivatives. Using QSAR models and in silico pharmacokinetic profiles predictions, five new candidate compounds are selected as potential inhibitors against cancer.

2-(4-fluorobenzyl)Chromeno[2,3-c]Pyrozol-3(2H)-One as Copper Corrosion Inhibitor in HNO3: Gravimetric and Quantum Chemical Investigation Methods

The use of organic compounds as corrosion inhibitors has become a principal means of protecting metal equipment in industrial applications. This work therefore set out to evaluate the inhibiting properties of 2-(4-fluorobenzyl)chromeno[2,3-c] pyrozol-3(2H)-one for copper corrosion in 1M nitric acid solution. These properties were investigated using gravimetric method and quantum chemical calculations. Inhibition efficiency increased with temperature, inhibitor concentration and immersion time. Adsorption of this molecule on copper surface occurs according to Langmuir isotherm, while the thermodynamic parameters of absorption and kinetics prove that adsorption is spontaneous and dominated by chemisorption. Quantum chemical parameters derived from density functional theory (DFT) revealed that there is a strong interaction based on electronic exchange between the inhibitor and copper. Global and local reactivity parameters such as highest occupied molecular orbital energy, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy, energy gap, Fukui functions and dual descriptor were used to understand the molecule-metal interface and to design more appropriate organic corrosion inhibitors. Theoretical results proved to be consistent with the experimental data obtained.

Investigation of aluminum nitrate nanotube as the smart carriers for targeted delivery of gemcitabine anti-lung cancer drug

The potential of aluminum nitrate nanotube as a drug carrier for anti-lung cancer drug gemcitabine is examined based on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption geometries of gemcitabine drug onto the surface of nanotube are investigated for various orientation in order to attain the most stable configuration. Significant interaction is observed between the double bonded oxygen atom of the gemcitabine drug and aluminum atom of the nanocage. The charge transfer analysis indicates that there is significant interaction along with considerable charge transfer between gemcitabine and the aluminum nitrate nanotube. The electronic properties such as highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals energy levels, energy gap, chemical hardness, chemical potential, electrophilicity index, and dipole moment for the best three configurations of the complexation are examined. The recovery time calculations are also performed at 298.15 K temperature in order to study the drug desorption process on the targeted site. The stability of the complex is compared in both gas and aqueous medium. Eventually, this work interprets that aluminum nitrate nanotube can be considered to be suitable candidates for delivering gemcitabine anti-lung cancer drug in a biological system.

Regulating Molecular Structure of S,N‐Heteroacene Non‐fullerene Acceptors to Achieve Efficient Photoelectric Properties†

Comprehensive SummaryThe ternary strategy has demonstrated its efficacy in improving charge transport in organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, three novel non‐fullerene acceptors, SN6C9‐4F, SN6C9‐4Cl and SN6C10‐4F, based on S,N‐heteroacene linear backbone were designed and synthesized. The three acceptors exhibit excellent molecular coplanarity, high crystallinity and possess a deep‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, which is beneficial for charge transport and injection in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). Notably, the OFET devices based on all three acceptors achieved impressive electron mobilities, with SN6C10‐4F achieving up to 0.73 cm2·V–1·s–1, which is one of the highest values among A‐D‐A type small molecules. In addition, the OSCs device based on PBDB‐T:SN6C9‐4F exhibited the best power conversion efficiency of 12.07% owing to its optimal morphology and enhanced charge transport. Moreover, the incorporation of SN6C9‐4F into the efficient PM6:L8‐BO binary system to form ternary OSCs resulted in extended absorption range, enhanced donor crystallization, improved and more balanced charge transport, ultimately leading to an improvement of PCE from 17.78% to 18.32%. This study highlights the potential of developing acceptors with distinct structures from Y‐series acceptors to broaden absorption and regulate donor crystallization, providing a novel approach to enhance the PCE of OSCs.

Computational, molecular docking and spectroscopic insights of drug–drug interaction between Ibuprofen and Paracetamol

The combination of existing drugs or drug–drug interaction enthralls researcher because of their potential applications in multiple diseases and better efficacy. The present work is undertaken to study the interaction between two drugs, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol, using Density Functional Theory and spectroscopic techniques (Infrared and Raman spectroscopy). The molecular modeling of the two drugs indicates their interaction through intermolecular hydrogen bonds (O34-H53-O2 and (O1-H33-O34), which is observed in Natural Bond Orbital and atoms in molecules analysis of the compound (Ibuprofen + Paracetamol). The experimental Raman, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Infrared spectra of the physical mixture (Ibuprofen + Paracetamol) are found close to their computed wavenumbers. The interacting state, that is, Ibuprofen + Paracetamol is optimized using B3LYP/6-31G ++ (d, p) model under density functional theory framework and different computed quantum chemical parameters such as, dipole moment, ionization energy, electron affinity, electrophilicity index, chemical potential, hardness and the Highest Occupied and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital energies and energy gaps are calculated and compared to the monomer state of the drugs. The lowering of energy gap and increased in dipole moment of combined drug molecules show potency as an effective hybrid drug. The molecular docking study of the combined drug molecule against the 4PH9 receptor shows a better binding affinity with its residues through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction.

Isomeric Dimer Acceptors for Stable Organic Solar Cells with over 19 % Efficiency.

The strategy of isomerization is known for its simple yet effective role in optimizing molecular configuration and enhancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the impact of isomerization on the design of dimer acceptors has been rarely investigated, and the relationship between the chemical structure and optoelectronic property remains unclear. In this study, we designed and synthesized two dimer acceptor isomers named D-TPh and D-TN, which differ in the positional arrangement of their end capping groups. Compared to D-TN, D-TPh exhibited enhanced backbone planarity, elevated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, and more ordered molecular stacking. Consequently, the OSC device based on PM6 : D-TPh achieved a PCE of 19.05 %, higher than that (PCE=18.42 %) of the device based on PM6 : D-TN. Large-area PM6 : D-TPh devices (1 cm2) yielded a PCE of 18.00 %. More importantly, the extrapolated T80 lifetime of the PM6 : D-TPh device is over 2800 h with MPP tracking under continuous one-sun illumination. These results suggest that isomerization strategy is an effective way to optimize the molecular configuration of dimer acceptors for the fabrication of high-efficiency and stable OSCs.

Synthesis and Density Functional Theory Study on the Functionalization of Carbon Nanotube Conjugates with Amino Compounds and Their Application in Dyeing Processes

AbstractThis study investigates the functionalization of graphene nanotube (GNTs) conjugates with an amino compound called 1‐amino‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐naphthalene sulfonic acid (AHNSA‐GNTs). The study also evaluates the potential application of these conjugates in dyeing processes. The goal is to modify GNTs to enhance their interaction with dyes, thus improving the efficiency of dyeing textiles and the colorfastness of the resulting products. Multiple characterization methods, such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to get a better look at the composites. The findings of the study indicate that AHNSA‐GNTs composites improve dye retention on wool fibers, which leads to a reduction in the consumption of excess dye and water. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to investigate the electronic properties and binding energies of the functionalized CNTs, providing insights into the molecular interactions between the CNTs and amino compounds. Overall, this study highlights the promising applications of graphene nanotubes in sustainable textile processes. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and global reactivity descriptors serve as key tools for understanding the stability and chemical reactivity of compounds. These tools were used to calculate FMOs and electronic parameters of compounds 1 and 2 at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The study examined the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap, which provides insights into molecular stability and reactivity. Various physical properties were derived from these calculations, including electron affinity (EA) and ionization potential (IP) to LUMO and HOMO energies. Compound 2 emerged as the most efficient electron donor, possessing the highest HOMO energy, while compound 1 excelled as the best electron acceptor with the highest LUMO energy.

Optimization, molecular dynamics and quantum parameters simulations of Zingiber officinale rhizome as a green corrosion inhibitor

This study combines experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate ginger root extract (GRE) as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acidic environments at temperatures ranging from 303 to 333 K. Experimental techniques, including weight loss measurements, were used to assess the inhibiting performance and adsorption behavior of GRE, while GC-MS, FT-IR, and UV–visible spectrophotometric methods provided further characterization. Results indicated that the inhibition efficiency of GRE increased with higher concentrations and decreased with temperature, highlighting its potential to effectively prevent corrosion in H2SO4 medium. GC-MS analysis identified four major phenolic compounds—6-gingerol, 6-isoshogaol, zingerone, and vanillyl glycol—and two secondary metabolites, α-Farnesene and β-Bisabolene. Among these, 6-gingerol, the most active and abundant constituent, was selected for computational studies. Optimal corrosion inhibition of 81.3 % was achieved at 303 K with a GRE concentration of 10 g/L for 1 h. Thermodynamic activation parameters suggested a temperature-dependent process, and alignment with the Langmuir isotherm indicated a physical adsorption mechanism. Quantum chemical calculations for 6-gingerol revealed highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO) values of -6.286 eV and -0.366 eV, respectively, in its protonated state, and -8.338 eV and -0.247 eV, respectively, in its neutral state. Molecular simulations showed a binding affinity of -4.736 kJ/mol between 6-gingerol and the steel surface, supporting the experimental findings and underscoring the potential of GRE as an effective corrosion inhibitor.

Open‐Shell Resonance of Germanium‐Alkyne Porous Organic Radical Polymer for Boosting Sodium‐Ion Storage

AbstractPorous organic polymers (POPs) as electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are attracting increasing attention. However, the application of porous organic radical polymers (PORPs) with unique properties in SIBs is still in an infancy. Herein, two 3D germanium‐based POPs with conjugated diacetylene units (Ge‐DA) and acetylene units (Ge‐A) are designed and synthesized. Carbon radicals in Ge‐DA are verified by electron paramagnetic resonance and the resonance structure is calculated by density functional theory, showing a lower lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level (−5.46 eV) and a narrow energy gap (ca. 1.64 eV). In contrast, Ge‐DA as an anode for SIBs shows superior electrochemical properties to that of Ge‐A counterpart, including a higher specific discharge capacity of 349 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1, excellent cyclability with a capacity of 112 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 for at least 5000 cycles and high rate performance of 135 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1, proving that the different electronic structures of the diacetylene and monoacetylene units affect the properties of materials.

Functional Group-Driven Competing Mechanism in Electrochemical Reaction and Adsorption/Desorption Processes toward High-Capacity Aluminum-Porphyrin Batteries.

Nonaqueous organic aluminum batteries are considered as promising high-safety energy storage devices due to stable ionic liquid electrolytes and Al metals. However, the stability and capacity of organic positive electrodes are limited by their inherent high solubility and low active organic molecules. To address such issues, here porphyrin compounds with rigid molecular structures present stable and reversible capability in electrochemically storing AlCl2 +. Comparison between the porphyrin molecules with electron-donating groups (TPP-EDG) and with electron-withdrawing groups (TPP-EWG) suggests that EDG is responsible for increasing both highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, resulting in decreased redox potentials. On the other hand, EWG is associated with decreasing both HOMO and LUMO energy levels, leading to promoted redox potentials. EDG and EWG play critical roles in regulating electron density of porphyrin π bond and electrochemical energy storage kinetics behavior. The competitive mechanism between electrochemical redox reaction and de/adsorption processes suggests that TPP-OCH3 delivers the highest specific capacity ~171.8 mAh g-1, approaching a record in the organic Al batteries.

Functional Group‐Driven Competing Mechanism in Electrochemical Reaction and Adsorption/Desorption Processes toward High‐Capacity Aluminum‐Porphyrin Batteries

AbstractNonaqueous organic aluminum batteries are considered as promising high‐safety energy storage devices due to stable ionic liquid electrolytes and Al metals. However, the stability and capacity of organic positive electrodes are limited by their inherent high solubility and low active organic molecules. To address such issues, here porphyrin compounds with rigid molecular structures present stable and reversible capability in electrochemically storing AlCl2+. Comparison between the porphyrin molecules with electron‐donating groups (TPP‐EDG) and with electron‐withdrawing groups (TPP‐EWG) suggests that EDG is responsible for increasing both highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, resulting in decreased redox potentials. On the other hand, EWG is associated with decreasing both HOMO and LUMO energy levels, leading to promoted redox potentials. EDG and EWG play critical roles in regulating electron density of porphyrin π bond and electrochemical energy storage kinetics behavior. The competitive mechanism between electrochemical redox reaction and de/adsorption processes suggests that TPP‐OCH3 delivers the highest specific capacity ~171.8 mAh g−1, approaching a record in the organic Al batteries.

In Situ Photoreversible Tuning of Chemical Interface Damping in Single Gold Nanorods Through Cucurbit[8]uril-Based Host-Guest Interactions.

Chemical interface damping (CID) is a recently proposed plasmon-damping pathway based on the interfacial hot-electron transfer from metal to adsorbate molecules. However, the in situ reversible tuning of CID in single gold nanorods (AuNRs) has remained a considerable challenge. In this study, we used total internal reflection scattering microscopy and spectroscopy to investigate the CID induced by p-aminoazobenzene (p-AAB), which has fast photoisomerization characteristics, attached to single AuNRs. We demonstrated the in situ reversible tuning of CID in single AuNRs by switching between ultraviolet (UV, 365 nm) and visible (vis, 465 nm) irradiation to induce photoresponsive structural conversions between the cis and trans forms of p-AAB in ethanol, leading to different lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies for both forms. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) line width was wide under vis irradiation but narrow under UV irradiation, indicating that hot electrons are more efficiently transferred to trans-p-AAB with a low LUMO energy level. We further investigated the in situ photoreversible tuning of CID by manipulating supramolecular host-guest interactions between cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) and p-AAB in the single AuNRs. Additionally, real-time in situ reversible tuning of CID in single AuNRs was achieved through photonic switching of the cis-trans forms of p-AAB inside CB[8]. The LSPR line width was narrow under vis irradiation but gradually widened under UV irradiation before narrowing again upon returning to vis irradiation, unlike the case with p-AAB only. These results can be ascribed to the fact that cis-p-AAB completely encapsulated within CB[8] in water is thermodynamically more favorable than trans-p-AAB. Therefore, we have discovered a new strategy for tuning the CID by performing p-AAB photoisomerization and adjusting the wavelength of incident light in single AuNRs. In addition, this study demonstrates that CID can be effectively applied to the development of biosensors to detect guest molecules and their structural changes inside the cavity of CB[8] in single AuNRs.

Crystalline 1D Linear Conjugated Polymers with a Quinoidal Unit As Metal‐Free Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction

AbstractCrystalline and soluble 1D linear conjugated polymers (LCPs) have garnered considerable interest as cost‐effective and efficient metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to their high exposure of catalytic sites and ease of processing. However, difficulties remain in achieving excellent ORR performance for 1D LCPs by conventional molecular design. Herein, it is demonstrated the utilization of quinoidal units as a promising strategy to develop 1D LCPs for ORR. The incorporation of quinoidal unit not only results in polymers with strong inter‐ and intra‐molecular interactions and low‐lying LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy levels, but also provides polymers with good crystallinity and commendable charge carrier mobilities. The electronic properties of these polymers are fine‐tuned through the introduction of additional heteroatoms and/or substituents in the monomers and comonomers to understand and optimize their ORR catalytic activity. Evaluation of their catalytic performances reveals a remarkable half‐wave potential and limiting current density of up to 0.74 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrod) and 7.50 mA cm−2, respectively. Notably, these performances are achieved without the addition of carbon nanomaterials as support. This study offers a new insight into the design of highly efficient metal‐free organic electrocatalysts.

Investigation of corrosion inhibition and adsorption properties of quinoxaline derivatives on metal surfaces through DFT and Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract This work presents a multiscale theoretical investigation into the potential of quinoxaline derivatives (Q1–Q6) as corrosion inhibitors for various metals (Fe(110), Cu(111), and Al(110)). Employing a combined approach combining density functional theory (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulations, we explore the relationship between molecular structure, electronic properties, and adsorption behavior. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were used to investigate the electronic characteristics of diverse compounds. The study included key parameters including highest occupied molecular orbital energy (E HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (E LUMO), energy gap (E g) between E LUMO and E HOMO, dipole moment, global hardness, softness (σ), ionization energy (I), electron affinity (A), electronegativity (χ), back-donation energy E b−d, global electrophilicity (ω), electron transfer, global nucleophilicity (ε), and total energy (sum of electronic and zero-point energies). These properties, alongside adsorption energies (following the trend Q6 > Q2 > Q3 > Q4 > Q5 > Q1), are used to identify promising inhibitor candidates and establish structure–property relationships governing their effectiveness. The results suggest that inhibitor efficiency increases with a decreasing energy gap between frontier orbitals. Notably, the protonated state of Q6 exhibits high reactivity, low stability, and strong adsorption, making it a potential candidate for further exploration. This comprehensive theoretical approach offers crucial insights for the conceptual development of new and powerful corrosion inhibitors.

Manipulating Alkyl Inner Side Chain of Acceptor for Efficient As-Cast Organic Solar Cells.

As-cast organic solar cells (OSCs) possess tremendous potential for low-cost commercial applications. Herein, five small-molecule acceptors (A1-A5) are designed and synthesized by selectively and elaborately extending the alkyl inner side chain flanking on the pyrrole motif to prepare efficient as-cast devices. As the extension of the alkyl chain, the absorption spectra of the films are gradually blue-shifted from A1 to A5 along with slightly uplifted lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, which is conducive for optimizing the trade-off between short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage of the devices. Moreover, a longer alkyl chain improves compatibility between the acceptor and donor. The in situ technique clarifies that good compatibility will prolong molecular assembly time and assist in the preferential formation of the donor phase, where the acceptor precipitates in the framework formed by the donor. The corresponding film-formation dynamics facilitate the realization of favorable film morphology with a suitable fibrillar structure, molecular stacking, and vertical phase separation, resulting in an incremental fill factor from A1 to A5-based devices. Consequently, the A3-based as-cast OSCs achieve a top-ranked efficiency of 18.29%. This work proposes an ingenious strategy to manipulate intermolecular interactions and control the film-formation process for constructing high-performance as-cast devices.

20.2% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics Employing a π-Extension Quinoxaline-Based Acceptor with Ordered Arrangement.

Organic solar cells, as a cutting-edge sustainable renewable energy technology, possess a myriad of potential applications, while the bottleneck problem of less than 20% efficiency limits the further development. Simultaneously achieving an ordered molecular arrangement, appropriate crystalline domain size, and reduced nonradiative recombination poses a significant challenge and is pivotal for overcoming efficiency limitations. This study employs a dual strategy involving the development of a novel acceptor and ternary blending to address this challenge. A novel non-fullerene acceptor, SMA, characterized by a highly ordered arrangement and high lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, is synthesized. By incorporating SMA as a guest acceptor in the PM6:BTP-eC9 system, it is observed that SMA staggered the liquid-solid transition of donor and acceptor, facilitating acceptor crystallization and ordering while maintaining a suitable domain size. Furthermore, SMA optimized the vertical morphology and reduced bimolecular recombination. As a result, the ternary device achieved a champion efficiency of 20.22%, accompanied by increased voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor. Notably, a stabilized efficiency of 18.42% is attained for flexible devices. This study underscores the significant potential of a synergistic approach integrating acceptor material innovation and ternary blending techniques for optimizing bulk heterojunction morphology and photovoltaic performance.