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This paper aims to synthesise and evaluate the properties of a novel smart material consisting of a metal-free organic black pigment with a unique chromophore for bifunctional applications in optoelectronics.

A robust and highly efficient organic reaction, namely, a double [2 + 2] cycloaddition, was deployed to transform a rod-like structure for charge-transfer applications to a strongly conjugated light-absorbing molecule for both optical and electronic applications.

The synthesis and characterisation of an air-stable metal-free black pigment is reported, which contains an unconventional donor–acceptor panchromatic chromophore with an absorption window spanning 600 nm; the compound was synthetically converted from an organic semiconducting molecular rod and retains strong charge-transfer properties. The chromophore comprises tetracyanoquinodimethane adduct on either side of a dithienothiophenyl core, capped with hexyl thiophenes that ensure solubility in common organic solvents. Its propensity to form excellent thin films on different substrates such as glass and paper, with a total opacity in organic solvent, gives it the potential for wide-ranging applications in organic optoelectronics.

The synthetic chemistry and fundamental properties are investigated in the present study, with more detailed treatments and analysis to be soon developed. One leading smart material is presented, with further derivatives under investigation.

The work presented shows the possibility of converting structures from one application to another with relative ease, but how they retain properties for both, using well-known and facile conditions.

The structures are novel and an enhanced air-stable organic panchromatic chromophore is reported for processing in common organic solvents.

Low performance life and increased machine downtime due to wear of resistance welding copper electrode is of major concern in fin–tube resistance welding in waste heat recovery boilers. The purpose of this study is to investigate an alternative material with good wear resistance to replace the currently utilized C11000 electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper electrode.

In this study, a Cu-Cr-Zr ternary alloy was developed for fin-to-tube welding electrode by melting commercial grade electrolytic copper (99.9% purity) plates, chips of chromium, powder of zirconium at 1100°–1300°C, followed by hot forging and precipitation hardening at 450°–550°C to attain appropriate grain flow. Microstructures of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys were analysed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive backscatter electron spectrometry.

Wear performance of Cu-Cr-Zr and C11000 ETP Cu was evaluated using pin-on-disc set-up with Taguchi’s L₈ orthogonal array. Ranking of the parameters was done, and it was observed that the material and temperature play a very significant role in controlling the wear of an electrode.

Rate of fin–tube resistance welding was increased by 26% with Cu-Cr-Zr alloy. Further investigation on effect of plasma on the metallurgical characteristics of Cu-Cr-Zr is recommended.

Tribo-mechanical performance of newly developed Cu-Cr-Zr ternary alloy was compared with C11000 ETP copper.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2023-0092/