Synthesis and characterization of an anthracene-based low band gap polymer for photovoltaic devices

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2014 Aug;14(8):6422-6. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2014.8788.

Abstract

We have synthesized an anthracene-based conjugated polymer, poly[(9,10-bis(oct-1-ynyl)anthracene)-alt-(5,6-bis(octyloxy)-4,7-bis(thiophen-2-yl)benzo-[c][1,2,5]-thiadiazole)] (PANTBT), for application in organic photovoltaic devices. It exhibited a number average molecular weight of 14,300 g/mol and was fairly soluble in chlorinated organic solvents due to flexible octynyl- and octyloxy side chains on the anthracene and benzothiadiazole moieties. PANTBT showed absorption covering 300-660 nm. Through the bond alternation between the electron-sufficient anthracene (and thiophene) and electron-deficient benzothiadiazole units, a band gap of PANTBT was decreased to 1.89 eV, showing a deep HOMO level of -5.31 eV. As a result, PANTBT exhibited promising photovoltaic properties with a PCE value of 1.90% (VOC = 0.77 V, JSC = -6.50 mA/cm2, FF = 0.38) upon blending with PC71, BM under AM 1.5G.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthracenes / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Photochemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Polymers
  • anthracene