Synthesis of all-conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(3-(4′- imethyloctyloxy)-3′-pyridinyl)thiophene) and its blend for photovoltaic applications
Journal
Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry
Journal Volume
49
Journal Issue
12
Pages
2577-2587
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
New all-conjugated block copolythiophene, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block- poly(3-(4′-(3″,7″-dimethyloctyloxy)-3′-pyridinyl) thiophene) (P3HT-b-P3PyT) was successfully prepared by Grignard metathesis polymerization. The supramolecular interaction between [6,6]-phenyl-C 61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and P3PyT was proposed to control the aggregated size of PCBM and long-term thermal stability of the photovoltaic cell, as evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical microscopy. The effect of different solvents on the electronic and optoelectronic properties was studied, including chloroform (CL), dichlorobenzene (DCB), and mixed solvent of CL/DCB. The optimized bulk heterojunction solar cell devices using the P3HT-b-P3PyT/PCBM blend showed a power conversion efficiency of 2.12%, comparable to that of P3HT/PCBM device despite the fact that former had a lower crystallinity or absorption coefficient. Furthermore, P3HT-b-P3PyT could be also used as a surfactant to enhance the long-term thermal stability of P3HT/PCBM-based solar cells by limiting the aggregated size of PCBM. This study represents a new supramolecular approach to design all-conjugated block copolymers for high-performance photovoltaic devices. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subjects
block copolymers; compatibility; conjugated polymer; GRIM polymerization; photovoltaic cell
SDGs
Other Subjects
Absorption coefficients; Bulk heterojunction solar cells; compatibility; Crystallinities; Dichlorobenzenes; Different solvents; Grignard metathesis; GRIM polymerization; Methyl esters; Mixed solvent; Optoelectronic properties; Photovoltaic applications; Photovoltaic devices; Poly (3-hexylthiophene); Power conversion efficiencies; Supramolecular interactions; TEM; Thermal stability; Block copolymers; Butyric acid; Carrier mobility; Conversion efficiency; Copolymerization; Differential scanning calorimetry; Fatty acids; Heterojunctions; Optical microscopy; Organic solvents; Photoelectrochemical cells; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic effects; Solar cells; Supramolecular chemistry; Surface active agents; Thermodynamic stability; Thiophene; Transmission electron microscopy; Organic polymers
Type
journal article