Evidence of enhanced photocurrent response in corannulene filmsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7ra08508g

Photoconductivity spectra measured in non-crystalline corannulene thin layers are compared to optical absorption in solution phase and thin films. The unexpected enhanced photoconductivity is correlated with GW-BSE theoretical predictions of corannulene gas-phase excitonic spectra. Theoretical analysis reveals a consistent contribution involving transitions to Super Atomic Molecular Orbitals (SAMOs), a unique set of diffuse orbitals typical of curved conjugated constructs. Results suggest SAMO population via direct photoexcitation as a potential mechanism towards exploiting these diffuse orbitals as conducting channels in suitably assembled quantum nanostructures or solids. Experimental optical absorption and photoconductivity spectra of thin films with GW-BSE theoretical predictions provide evidence for diffuse super atomic molecular orbitals (SAMOs) in corannulene, C 20 H 10 .