Narcissistic self-sorting of n-acene nano-ribbons yielding energy-transfer and electroluminescence at p-n junctions.

The 2,3-didecyloxy derivative of an n-type anthracene (n-BG) and a p-type tetracene (p-R) have been synthesized and their self-assembly into nano-ribbons studied. Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging revealed their narcissistic self-sorting, leading to separated nanoribbons emitting with very different colors (blue or green for n-BG, depending on the growth solvent, and red for p-R). It is unique that the usual origins of self-sorting, such as specific H-bonding, different growth kinetics, or incompatible steric hindrance can be ruled out. Hence, the narcissistic behaviour is herein proposed to originate from a so-far unconsidered cause: the discrepancy between the quadrupolar character of n-BG and dipolar character of p-R. At the p-n junctions of these nanoribbons, inter-ribbon FRET and electro-luminescence switch-on were observed by fluorescence/luminescence microscopy.

Microfluidic supercritical antisolvent continuous processing and direct spray-coating of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanoparticles for OFET devices.

We report for the first time the use of a microfluidic supercritical antisolvent process (µSAS) to synthesize semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Solvent-free P3HT NPs with average diameters as small as 36 ± 8 nm are obtained. They are continuously spray-coated on substrates to fabricate OFET devices, demonstrating hole mobility through the nanoparticle film equivalent to that of conventional spin-coated P3HT.

Thermal stabilisation of polymer-fullerene bulk heterojunction morphology for efficient photovoltaic solar cells.

A novel stable bisazide molecule that can freeze the bulk heterojunction morphology at its optimized layout by specifically bonding to fullerenes is reported. The concept is demonstrated with various polymers: fullerene derivatives systems enable highly thermally stable polymer solar cells.

Some recent advances in the design and the use of miniaturized droplet-based continuous process: applications in chemistry and high-pressure microflows.

This mini-review focuses on two different miniaturizing approaches: the first one describes the generation and use of droplets flowing within a millifluidic tool as individual batch microreactors. The second one reports the use of high pressure microflows in chemistry. Millifluidics is an inexpensive, versatile and easy to use approach which is upscaled from microfluidics. It enables one to produce hierarchically organized multiple emulsions or particles with a good control over sizes and shapes, as well as to provide a convenient data acquisition platform dedicated to slow or rather fast chemical reactions, i.e., from hours to a few minutes. High-pressure resistant devices were recently fabricated and used to generate stable droplets from pressurized fluids such as supercritical fluid-liquid systems. We believe that supercritical microfluidics is a promising tool to develop sustainable processes in chemistry.