Issue 47, 2013

Low band-gap donor–acceptor copolymers based on dioxocyclopenta[c]thiophene derivatives as acceptor units: synthesis, properties, and photovoltaic performances

Abstract

New donor–acceptor type copolymers containing dihexyldioxocyclopenta[c]thiophene or (dihexylmethylidene)dioxocyclopenta[c]thiophene as acceptor units have been designed and synthesized for the application as hole-transporting (p-type) organic semiconducting materials in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). The investigation of photophysical and physicochemical properties revealed that these copolymers featured low optical band gaps (1.56–1.73 eV) and low-lying HOMO energy levels (−5.40 to −5.02 eV). Bulk heterojunction OPV devices based on these copolymers and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester as active layers showed moderate power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of between 1.36 and 2.68% under air mass 1.5 simulated solar illumination. Space-charge-limited current measurements and atomic force microscopy measurements of the blend films revealed that both charge-transporting characteristics and film morphologies have significant influences on the photovoltaic performances. OPV devices based on the copolymers with [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester showed a PCE of up to 5.17% with a short circuit current of 10.1 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 0.80 V and a fill factor of 0.64.

Graphical abstract: Low band-gap donor–acceptor copolymers based on dioxocyclopenta[c]thiophene derivatives as acceptor units: synthesis, properties, and photovoltaic performances

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
03 Sep 2013
Accepted
10 Oct 2013
First published
15 Oct 2013

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013,1, 15000-15009

Low band-gap donor–acceptor copolymers based on dioxocyclopenta[c]thiophene derivatives as acceptor units: synthesis, properties, and photovoltaic performances

J. Huang, Y. Ie, M. Karakawa and Y. Aso, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 15000 DOI: 10.1039/C3TA13504G

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