Design, synthesis, and photophysical characterizations of a novel push-pull chromene derivative for high-performance organic photodetector applications

Authors

• Ahmed M. El-Mahalawy, Faculty of Education and Arts, Sohar University, Sohar, 311, Sultanate of Oman
• Fatma A. Mohamed, Dyeing, Printing and Auxiliaries Department, Institute for Textile Research and Technology, National Research Center, 33 El Buhouth St., Dokki, Giza, Postal code: 12622, Egypt
• Ahmed F. Mabied, X-ray Crystallography Lab., Solid State Physics Department, Physics Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
• Ahmed R. Wassel, Electron Microscope and Thin Films Department, Physics Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 10-1-2026

Abstract

A novel push-pull chromene derivative, compound E, was synthesized via a multicomponent reaction and characterized by NMR/mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction, which revealed a monoclinic structure. DFT calculations showed a 3.36 eV HOMO-LUMO gap with charge-transfer characteristics. Thermally evaporated thin films exhibited dual UV-visible absorption at 211 nm and 420 nm, with an experimental Eg of 3.07 eV. The films exhibited excitation-dependent photoluminescence in the 550-570 nm range, with a Stokes shift of 0.76 eV. Chromatically stable yellow-green emission and environment-sensitive photophysics indicate potential for fluorescent sensing and bioimaging applications. A heterojunction photodetector, E/p-Si, performed optimally in reverse bias within the −2 to −4 V range, achieving a responsivity of 2.5 A/W, detectivity of 9.2 × 1011 Jones, and a signal-to-noise ratio of 451 at 80 mW/cm2. Rapid photoresponse with rise and fall times of 15-22 ms, and external quantum efficiency exceeding 600% were detected, confirming excellent photodetection capabilities.

Recommended Citation

El-Mahalawy, Ahmed M.; Mohamed, Fatma A.; Mabied, Ahmed F.; and Wassel, Ahmed R., "Design, synthesis, and photophysical characterizations of a novel push-pull chromene derivative for high-performance organic photodetector applications" (2026). Nanotechnology Research Centre. 251.
https://buescholar.bue.edu.eg/nanotech_research_centre/251