The influence of external electric fields on charge reorganization energy in organic semiconductors

Charge reorganization energies (k) of inter-ring carbon-carbon (IRCC) bond connected conjugated polycyclics are shown to exhibit an electric-field-driven anisotropic character. An external electric field parallel to the IRCC linker(s) reduces k while the field vertical to the molecular plane does the opposite. This anisotropic character can be modulated by introducing inter-ring noncovalent locks into appropriate sites.