Identifying (BN)2-pyrene as a new class of singlet fission chromophores: significance of azaborine substitution
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Abstract
Singlet fission converts one photoexcited singlet state to two triplet excited states and raises photoelectric conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. However, only a handful of chromophores have been known to undergo this process, which greatly limits the application of singlet fission in photovoltaics. We hereby identify a recently synthesized diazadiborine-pyrene ((BN)2-pyrene) as a singlet fission chromophore. Theoretical calculations indicate that it satisfies the thermodynamics criteria for singlet fission. More importantly, the calculations provide a physical chemistry insight into how the BN substitution makes this happen. Both calculation and transient absorption spectroscopy experiment indicate that the chromophore has a better absorption than pentacene. The convenient synthesis pathway of the (BN)2-pyrene suggests an in situ chromophore generation in photovoltaic devices. Two more (BN)2-pyrene isomers are proposed as singlet fission chromophores. This study sets a step forward in the cross-link of singlet fission and azaborine chemistry.