Abstract: The invention provides a novel fabrication method to produce solar cells using water-based inks that can be readily used in roll-to-roll processing, ink-jet printing and other large-scale fabrication processes. The invention also provides OPV devices with significantly improved efficiency. The invention offers a number of advantages over existing methods: (1) use of water dispersions instead of environmentally hazardous organic solvents, (2) use of semiconducting nanoparticles that allow control of the domain size and structure, (3) treatment of PEDOT:PSS using UV/Ozone allows film uniformity from aqueoue dispersions, (4) use of heat-IR radiation to make uniform films, (5) use of hole-blocking layer for increased fill factors (squareness of the I-V curve, the ratio between the maximum power obtained and the maximum power obtainable defined by the open circuit voltage and the short circuit current).

Abstract: A copper(I)-catalyzed procedure for the synthesis of benzo[b]heterocycles. This protocol can be used to synthesize a variety of 2-arylbenzo[b]furans and indoles in good to excellent yields. This method can tolerate a variety of functional groups, does not require the use of expensive additives and is palladium-free.

Abstract: A copper(I) bi-dentate ligand complex-catalyzed procedure for synthesis of 1,3-enynes. The methods and/or systems of this invention afford a variety of enynes, tolerate a variety of sensitive functional groups, and can be employed without resort to expensive palladium reagents.

Abstract: A mild, palladium-free synthetic protocol for the cross-coupling reaction of vinyl or aryl iodides and thiols or selenols using, in certain embodiments, 10 mol % CuI and 10 mol % neocuproine, with NaOt-Bu as the base, in toluene at 110 ° C. A variety of vinyl/aryl sulfides and vinyl/aryl selenides can be synthesized in excellent yields from readily available iodides and thiols or selenols.

Abstract: A copper(I) bi-dentate ligand complex-catalyzed procedure for synthesis of 1,3-enynes. The methods and/or systems of this invention afford a variety of enynes, tolerate a variety of sensitive functional groups, and can be employed without resort to expensive palladium reagents.