Theoretical investigation of excited states of oligothiophene anions

Date
2008
Authors
Alkan, F.
Salzner, U.
Editor(s)
Advisor
Supervisor
Co-Advisor
Co-Supervisor
Instructor
Source Title
Journal of Physical Chemistry A
Print ISSN
1089-5639
Electronic ISSN
Publisher
Volume
112
Issue
27
Pages
6053 - 6058
Language
English
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Series
Abstract

Electron-hole symmetry upon p- and n-doping of conducting organic polymers is rationalized with Hückel theory by the presence of symmetrically located intragap states. Since density functional theory (DFT) predicts very different geometries and energy level diagrams for conjugated π-systems than semiempirical methods, it is an interesting question whether DFT confirms the existence of electron-hole symmetry predicted at the Hückel level. To answer this question, geometries of oligothiophene anions with 5-19 rings were optimized and their UV/vis spectra were calculated with time-dependent DFT. Although DFT does not produce symmetrically placed sub-band energy levels, spectra of cations and anions are almost identical. The similarity in transition energies and oscillator strengths of anions and cations can be explained by the fact that the single sub-band energy level of cations lies above the valence band by the same amount of energy as the single sub-band level of anions lies below the conduction band. This and the resemblance of the energy level spacings in valence bands of cations to those in conduction bands of anions give rise to peaks with equal energies and oscillator strengths. © 2008 American Chemical Society.

Course
Other identifiers
Book Title
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)