A Conformationally Driven Mechanism in n-Type Doping of Naphthalene Diimide-Bithiophene Copolymer by 1H-Benzimidazoles.

N-doped polymer semiconductors are of great interest in the field of organic thermoelectrics, as high-conductive materials are still highly desired. In this framework, this paper aims to clarify whether the n-doping of naphthalene diimide-bithiophene copolymer, P(NDI2OD-T2), by 1H-benzimidazoles is a thermally activated process. The study interestingly demonstrates that a relevant change in conductivity, with an increase of more than three orders of magnitude with respect to pristine P(NDI2OD-T2), occurs before the annealing process takes place, thus revealing that benzimidazole-derived dopants are already active at room temperature.

Membrane Environment Enables Ultrafast Isomerization of Amphiphilic Azobenzene.

The non-covalent affinity of photoresponsive molecules to biotargets represents an attractive tool for achieving effective cell photo-stimulation. Here, an amphiphilic azobenzene that preferentially dwells within the plasma membrane is studied. In particular, its isomerization dynamics in different media is investigated.

Neuronal firing modulation by a membrane-targeted photoswitch.

Optical technologies allowing modulation of neuronal activity at high spatio-temporal resolution are becoming paramount in neuroscience. In this respect, azobenzene-based photoswitches are promising nanoscale tools for neuronal photostimulation. Here we engineered a light-sensitive azobenzene compound (Ziapin2) that stably partitions into the plasma membrane and causes its thinning through trans-dimerization in the dark, resulting in an increased membrane capacitance at steady state.

Preparation of Naphthalene Dianhydride Bithiophene Copolymers by Direct Arylation Polycondensation and the Latent Pigment Approach.

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Prof. Luca Beverina from the University of Molani-Bicocca, Italy and Prof. Michael Sommer from Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany.

Preparation of Naphthalene Dianhydride Bithiophene Copolymers by Direct Arylation Polycondensation and the Latent Pigment Approach.

An alternating naphthalene dianhydride bithiophene copolymer (PNDAT2) is prepared by a combined direct arylation polycondensation and the latent pigment approach. PNDAT2 is the first reported example of an alternating conjugated polymer containing naphthalene dianhydride, the oxo-analogue of naphthalene diimide often used in electron-acceptor conjugated polymers. PNDAT2 is resistant to organic solvents and can be generated directly as film by thermal treatment of the soluble tetraester precursor PNTET2.