A New Conformationally Symmetrical Calix[4]pyrrole Based Supramolecular System for Liquid Crystalline and Window Layer Solar Cell Applications

Abstract

The newly symmetrical liquid crystalline compounds (CPB1–CPB4) based on calix[4]pyrrole as central rigid core are synthesized via esterification reaction. All the four functionalized compounds exhibit columnar hexagonal phase (Colh) over a higher mesophase temperature range and further stabilized mesophase upto room temperature. The thermal behavior and optical texture are identified by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Polarizing optical microscopy (POM) while the molecular organization of compound in mesogenic state by X‐ray diffraction technique. The molecular system based on calix[4]pyrrole core with symmetrical nature exhibited columnar type self‐assembly at room temperature. All these four supramolecules with different side spacer show higher thermal stability. Based upon the optimization, compound CPB2 has been further tested to implicate as optical window layer in thin films solar cell devices. The calix[4]pyrrole functionalized supramolecular liquid crystalline compound based thin films showed suitable transmittance, optical energy band gap together with absorbance and extinction coefficient. The linear dependence of current on the voltage demonstrated Ohmic behavior of the CPB2 films. The surface morphology to the developed samples designated nearly uniform deposition of the CPB2 thin films together with grain growth. The findings warrant suitability of the films to implicate these as an eco‐friendly optical window layer in thin films based solar cells.