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

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.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemistry.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Han, Ggoch Ddeul (Ggoch Ddeul Grace)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Timothy M. Swager.

• Chemistry.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98795

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/98795