Publication Date

5-2015

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Hemali Rathnayake (Director), Dr. Edwin Stevens, Dr. Bangbo Yan

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are mainly based on organic semiconducting small molecules, macromolecules, and polymers, which form an active layer in photovoltaics. They act as an active material in absorbing light and causing charge mobility to generate electricity from sunlight. This thesis describes the molecular systems derived from fused arenes such as anthracene, pyrene, carbazole and thiophene for use as either a donor or an acceptor component of the active layer of OPVs. Two novel molecular systems (9- anthracenecarboxy-1-methylpyrene, (1) and Py-bi-TH-ANT, (2) were prepared using Steglich esterification and Grignard metathesis followed by Kumada coupling. The molecular structure of each was confirmed by 1H-NMR and IR analysis respectively. The photophysical properties of the products were also evaluated in solution. The potential applicability of these two novel systems for OPVs will be studied in the future.

Disciplines

Chemistry | Organic Chemistry

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