Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cross-linkable naphthalene diimide (NDI) electron-transporting materials (ETMs) bearing vinylbenzyl groups were designed, synthesized and evaluated for possible photovoltaic applications. A one-pot condensation followed by O-alkylation reaction was employed to synthesize new compounds. The new NDIs are sufficiently thermally and electrochemically stable owing to the presence of vinyl groups; all compounds are able to undergo thermal cross-linking by heating at 199°C and 213°C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and solubility tests revealed a two-step cross-linking mechanism: a low-temperature linear polymerization followed by high-temperature three-dimensional network formation. Cross-linking causes minimal changes in electron mobility in neat films, but in donor–acceptor blends it increases electron mobility by a factor of approximately 2–3, maintains stable hole transport, suppresses deep-trap formation and stabilizes quantum efficiency of photogeneration over time. These results establish vinylbenzyl-functionalized NDIs as promising, solution-processable n-type semiconductors for solvent-resistant, thermally robust electron-transport layers for perovskite or organic photovoltaics.
Source: Royal Society Open Science
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.251725
Institutions: Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,471
Funder: Lietuvos Mokslo Taryba
OpenAlex ID: W7162443142