The functionalization of fullerenes and nanocarbon materials for photovoltaics and other applications

Abstract

Fullerenes and other nanocarbon materials such as carbon nanotubes possess interesting chemical and physical properties. In this thesis, we explore various functionalization methods for nanocarbon materials and their potential applications in photovoltaics and fuel cells. Chapter 1 gives an introduction to the chemistry and applications of fullerenes. In Chapter 2, the syntheses of cyclobutadiene-functionalized fullerenes are described, and the influence of intramolecular a-interaction on the electronic energy of a molecule is explored. The fullerene derivatives are used as electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics with polymer donors. In Chapter 3, a series of isobenzofulvene-functionalized fullerenes and their photovoltaic performances are presented. We demonstrate that these n-type materials can generate high opencircuit voltages in organic solar cells and produce higher power conversion efficiencies compared to those of standard devices. In Chapter 4, we utilize fullerene derivatives for electron transport layers in perovskite solar cells. We explore the morphology and stability of fullerene films and demonstrate the fabrication of high performance photovoltaics under low-temperature ambient conditions. In Chapter 5, we study the improvement of organic solar cell performances by the addition of aryne-functionalized fullerenes to active layers as a minority component. In Chapter 6, we describe isoxazoline-functionalized fullerenes and carbon nanotubes and explore their transition metal complexes. Co(II) and Fe(II) complexes on carbon nanotubes are used for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction.