Publication
Title
Low band gap donor-acceptor conjugated polymers toward organic solar cells applications
Author
Abstract
Mixtures of conjugated polymers and fullerenes command considerable attention for application in organic solar cells. To increase their efficiency, the design of new materials that absorb at longer wavelengths is of substantial interest. We have prepared such low band gap polymers using the donor−acceptor route, which is based on the concept that the interaction between alternating donors and acceptors results in a compressed band gap. Furthermore, for application in photovoltaic devices, sufficient polymer solubility is required. We have prepared four low band gap conjugated polymers, with a bis(1-cyano-2-thienylvinylene)phenylene base structure, and achieved an excellent solubility by the introduction of long alkoxy and alkyl side chains. The polymers were synthesized via an oxidative polymerization. Their electronic properties were determined from electrochemical and optical measurements, which confirm that they indeed have a low band gap. In the blend of such a low band gap polymer with PCBM, evidence for efficient charge transfer was obtained from PL and EPR measurements. However, bulk heterostructure solar cells made of such blends display only low efficiencies, which is attributed to low charge carrier mobilities.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Macromolecules / American Chemical Society. - Washington, D.C.
Publication
Washington, D.C. : 2007
ISSN
0024-9297
DOI
10.1021/MA061760I
Volume/pages
40 :1 (2007) , p. 65-72
ISI
000243156700011
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2008
Last edited 05.12.2021
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