Electronic communication in tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)/C60 systems: toward molecular solar energy conversion materials?

Acc Chem Res. 2007 Oct;40(10):1015-24. doi: 10.1021/ar700026t. Epub 2007 Jun 30.

Abstract

The covalent connection of the electron acceptor C 60 to p-quinonoid pi-extended tetrathiafulvalenes (exTTFs) has allowed for the preparation of new photo- and electroactive conjugates able to act as artificial photosynthetic systems and active molecular materials in organic photovoltaics. The gain of aromaticity undergone by the pi-extended TTF unit in the oxidation process results in highly stabilized radical ion pairs, namely, C 60 (*-)/exTTF (*+). Lifetimes for such charge-separated states, ranging from a few nanoseconds to hundreds of microseconds, have been achieved by rationally modifying the nature of the chemical spacers. These long-lived radical pairs are called to play an important role for the conversion of sunlight into chemical or electrical power.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Solar Energy*

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • tetrathiafulvalene
  • fullerene C60