Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels

Draper, E. R. , Lee, J. R., Wallace, M., Jäckel, F., Cowan, A. J. and Adams, D. J. (2016) Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels. Chemical Science, 7(10), pp. 6499-6505. (doi: 10.1039/C6SC02644C)

Abstract

We show that a perylene bisimide (PBI)-based gelator forms self-sorted mixtures with a stilbene-based gelator. To form the self-sorted gels, we use a slow pH change induced by the hydrolysis of glucono-δ-lactone (GdL) to gluconic acid. We prove that self-sorting occurs using NMR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, rheology, and viscometry. The corresponding xerogels are photoconductive. Importantly, the wavelength dependence of the photoconductive films is different to that of the films formed from the perylene bisimide alone. Transient absorption spectroscopy of the xerogels reveals changes in the spectrum of the PBI on the picosecond timescale in the presence of stilbene with a PBI radical anion being formed within 10 ps when the stilbene is present. The ability to form the PBI radical anion under visible light leads to the enhanced spectral response of the multicomponent gels. These systems therefore have potential as useful visible-active optoelectronics.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: ED and MW thank the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for funding. JL thanks the School of Physical Sciences (University of Liverpool) for a GTA studentship. MW thanks Unilever for a Case Award. DA and AC thank the EPSRC for Fellowships (EP/L021978/1 and EP/K006851/1 respectively). The UK Central Laser Facility (STFC) Laser Loan Pool is thanked for the loan of equipment through EP/G03088X/1. Dr J. Walsh (Liverpool) is thanked for assistance with transient measurements. The NMR spectrometers used for this work were funded by the EPSRC (EP/K039687/1 and EP/C005643/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Draper, Emily and Adams, Dave
• Authors: Draper, E. R., Lee, J. R., Wallace, M., Jäckel, F., Cowan, A. J., and Adams, D. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Chemical Science
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 2041-6520
• ISSN (Online): 2041-6539
• Published Online: 01 July 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in Chemical Science 7(10): 6499-6505
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license