Design and synthesis of side-chain functionalized regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based copolymers and application in polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells

B. Campo; W. D. Oosterbaan; J. Gilot; T. J. Cleij; L. Lutsen; R. A. J. Janssen; D. Vanderzande

doi:10.1117/12.825881

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27 August 2009 Design and synthesis of side-chain functionalized regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based copolymers and application in polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells

B. Campo, W. D. Oosterbaan, J. Gilot, T. J. Cleij, L. Lutsen, R. A. J. Janssen, D. Vanderzande

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Proceedings Volume 7416, Organic Photovoltaics X; 74161G (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825881
Event: SPIE Photonic Devices + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

set of novel regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based random copolymers containing varying ratios of ester functionalized alkyl side chains were synthesized using the Rieke method. The percentage of functionalized side chain varied between 10 and 50 mol% for each copolymer. Using post-polymerization reactions, the ester functions in the alkyl side chain were hydrolyzed to yield an alcohol or acid group. These groups are available for further functionalization reactions, so a wide variety of secondary functionalities may be covalently attached to the conjugated polymer. The copolymers were applied in polymer: fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJSCs) with [6,6]-phenyl -C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as electron acceptor. The influence of side-chain functionalities on absorption, device performance and layer morphology depends on the ratio and nature of the functionalized side chains. For a 9/1 copolymer, containing 10% of functionalized side chains, behaviour and efficiency in BHJSCs comparable to P3HT:PCBM solar cells were observed.

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B. Campo, W. D. Oosterbaan, J. Gilot, T. J. Cleij, L. Lutsen, R. A. J. Janssen, and D. Vanderzande "Design and synthesis of side-chain functionalized regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based copolymers and application in polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells", Proc. SPIE 7416, Organic Photovoltaics X, 74161G (27 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825881

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