Synthesis, characterization, and applications in photovoltaic cells of oxetane-functionalized P3HT derivatives

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Polymer chemistry, 2014-03, Vol.52 (5), p.652-663
• Main Authors: Brotas, Graça, Farinhas, Joana, Ferreira, Quirina, Rodrigues, Rita, Martins, Inês L., Morgado, Jorge, Charas, Ana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; conjugated polymers; Copolymers; Crosslinking; Derivatives; Devices; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; OPV device stability; organic photovoltaic cells; Organic polymers; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Stability; structure-property relations; synthesis
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.27041

ABSTRACT Several crosslinkable oxetane‐functionalized copolymers, containing regio‐regular segments of 3‐hexylthiophene, are synthesized using the Grignard metathesis polymerization. The optical and electrochemical properties of the new polymers, both in the soluble and crosslinked forms, are reported. These polymers are used in the preparation of organic photovoltaics upon blending with PCBM as electron‐acceptor. The effect of the crosslinking of these copolymers, once the blend films are formed, on the devices performance is also studied. In particular, the insertion of the oxetane‐functionalized thiophene comonomers leads to a decrease of the devices performance, which is further decreased upon crosslinking of the copolymer. However, the stability of the devices overall improves upon crosslinking of the copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 652–663 A series of new crosslinkable conjugated polymers, derivatives of region‐regular poly(3‐hexylthiophene), are synthesized and investigated in organic photovoltaic devices. The individual effect of the conditions employed in the crosslinking is investigated, and an overall beneficial effect upon crosslinking on the device stability is shown.