Photophysical insights into TFHA-OP: Optimizing Optical Performance Through Solvent and Film Thickness Control

Ekici Ö., Özen F., Babali Özen L., Ersanlı C. C., Güzndüz B., Turgut Cin G.

PHYSICA B: CONDENSED MATTER, vol.714, no.417524, pp.1-12, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 714 Issue: 417524
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.physb.2025.417524
  • Journal Name: PHYSICA B: CONDENSED MATTER
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-12
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Conjugated organic semiconductors with donorπ-acceptor (Dπ-A) structures are pivotal for optoelectronic applications. This study investigates the optical properties of 2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (TFHA-OP), focusing on solvent and film thickness effects.UV–Vis spectroscopy shows that DMSO reduces the optical band gap t o 3.107 eV, compared to acetone, while increasing film thickness further lowers the band gap to 2.965 eV at 28.7 μ m, alongside an enhanced refractive index. TD-DFT and HOMO-LUMO analysis support these findings, confirming significant solvent and thickness dependence. Importantly, this study evaluates the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties in solution for the first time, revealing that DMSO significantly boosts βtot by 2.7-fold. These findings underscore TFHA-OP’s strong light–matter interaction in thin films, positioning it as a promising candidate for efficient, low-cost, and flexible optoelectronic devices, such as photovoltaics and sensors.