Advanced Functional Materials

The impact of trace solvents on the local ordering within PCBM domains is studied through molecular dynamics simulations. Varying the nature of the solvent is not only responsible for different materials-scale properties (crystalline packings, melting temepratures, surface energies, etc.) but also influences the electronic couplings and electron mobilities in the PCBM domains.

Four diketopyrrolopyrrole containing polymers are synthesized and evaluated for use in organic solar cells. Heteroatomic substitution allows precise control over the polymer energy levels with minimal disruption to the solid state properties. Variations in the short circuit current are linked to the energetic offset between polymer and fullerene.

Analysis of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data provides detailed insight into the atomic disorder responsible for the extraordinary low thermal conductivities in the thermoelectric lead chalcogenides PbTe and PbS.

High-performance naphthalene diimide (NDI)-based conjugated polymer is developed as the active layer of n-channel organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The solution-processable n-channel top gated OFET shows remarkably high electron charge-carrier mobility of up to 1.8 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) dielectrics.

Surface functionalization with 5 different hydrophilic uncharged polymers, their characterization, and a direct comparison of their resistance against biofouling are achieved by means of a photochemical grafting method using a perfluorophenylazide (PFPA)-based adhesion promoter. The fouling response is determined on different length scales from proteins to cells (nano- to micrometer for proteins and bacteria/spores, respectively).