Issue 10, 2016

Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels

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.

Graphical abstract: Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
16 6 2016
Accepted
01 7 2016
First published
01 7 2016
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 6499-6505

Author version available

Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels

E. R. Draper, J. R. Lee, M. Wallace, F. Jäckel, A. J. Cowan and D. J. Adams, Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 6499 DOI: 10.1039/C6SC02644C

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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