Ester-functionalized poly(3-alkylthiophene) copolymers: Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and performance in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells

Campo, Bert; Bevk, David; Kesters, Jurgen; Gilot, J Jan; Bolink, Henk J.; Zhao, Jun; Bolsée, Jean-Christophe; Oosterbaan, Wibren D.; Bertho, Sabine; D’Haen, Jan; Manca, Jean; Lutsen, Laurence; Assche, Guy Van; Maes, Wouter; Janssen, Raj René; Vanderzande, Dirk

doi:10.1016/j.orgel.2012.11.021

Cited by 24 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 79 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…For example, in a polythiophene-polyselenophene block copolymer, isothermal recrystallization of the film results in an absorption profile that perfectly matches the linear combination of the homopolymers [26]. On the other hand, the absorption spectra of as spun block copolymers of P3HT with an analogue containing a ketone-functionalized side chain do not seem to linearly correlate to the composition ratio [59–60]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing blends and blocks: Synthesis of partially fluorinated diblock polythiophene copolymers to investigate the thermal stability of optical and morphological properties

Boufflet

Wood²,

Wade³

et al. 2016

Beilstein J. Org. Chem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryThe microstructure of the active blend layer has been shown to be a critically important factor in the performance of organic solar devices. Block copolymers provide a potentially interesting avenue for controlling this active layer microstructure in solar cell blends. Here we explore the impact of backbone fluorination in block copolymers of poly(3-octyl-4-fluorothiophene)s and poly(3-octylthiophene) (F-P3OT-b-P3OT). Two block co-polymers with varying block lengths were prepared via sequential monomer addition under Kumada catalyst transfer polymerisation (KCTP) conditions. We compare the behavior of the block copolymer to that of the corresponding homopolymer blends. In both types of system, we find the fluorinated segments tend to dominate the UV–visible absorption and molecular vibrational spectral features, as well as the thermal behavior. In the block copolymer case, non-fluorinated segments appear to slightly frustrate the aggregation of the more fluorinated block. However, in situ temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy shows that the intramolecular order is more thermally stable in the block copolymer than in the corresponding blend, suggesting that such materials may be interesting for enhanced thermal stability of organic photovoltaic active layers based on similar systems.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing blends and blocks: Synthesis of partially fluorinated diblock polythiophene copolymers to investigate the thermal stability of optical and morphological properties

Boufflet

Wood²,

Wade³

et al. 2016

Beilstein J. Org. Chem.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…P1 and P2 , bearing HD side chains on the P unit, were reported previously [12,29]. P3a and P3b were derived from P1 and were prepared with partial substitution (5% and 10%, respectively [30]) of the HD by EtPh side chains. In the same way, P4a and P4b have the same backbone as P2 , but also with partially-substituted side chains (5% and 10%, respectively).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Conjugated Polymer Side Chain Manipulation on the Efficiency and Stability of Polymer Solar Cells

et al. 2016

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The stability of polymer solar cells (PSCs) can be influenced by the introduction of particular moieties on the conjugated polymer side chains. In this study, two series of donor-acceptor copolymers, based on bis(thienyl)dialkoxybenzene donor and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT) or thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TzTz) acceptor units, were selected toward effective device scalability by roll-coating. The influence of the partial exchange (5% or 10%) of the solubilizing 2-hexyldecyloxy by alternative 2-phenylethoxy groups on efficiency and stability was investigated. With an increasing 2-phenylethoxy ratio, a decrease in solar cell efficiency was observed for the BT-based series, whereas the efficiencies for the devices based on the TzTz polymers remained approximately the same. The photochemical degradation rate for PSCs based on the TzTz polymers decreased with an increasing 2-phenylethoxy ratio. Lifetime studies under constant sun irradiance showed a diminishing initial degradation rate for the BT-based devices upon including the alternative side chains, whereas the (more stable) TzTz-based devices degraded at a faster rate from the start of the experiment upon partly exchanging the side chains. No clear trends in the degradation behavior, linked to the copolymer structural changes, could be established at this point, evidencing the complex interplay of events determining PSCs’ lifetime.

show abstract

“…This has already been done in 2011 by Vanderzande et al [30] on a polyphenylvinylene (PPV) derivative using a phenylethoxy side chain. Recently this concept was adopted (also from the same group) [31] and applied to various more promising (advanced conjugated) polymers for PSCs. The usage of alcohol or ester (and cinnamoyl) groups as part of the side chains of polythiophene ( Figure 3a) [21,[31][32][33] or a polymer based on CPDT and benzothiadiazole (BT) ( Figure 3b) [34] resulted in a higher Tg and thus an enhanced thermal stability (Figure 3a).…”

Section: Chemical Diversification Of the Side Chain Of The Light Absomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently this concept was adopted (also from the same group) [31] and applied to various more promising (advanced conjugated) polymers for PSCs. The usage of alcohol or ester (and cinnamoyl) groups as part of the side chains of polythiophene ( Figure 3a) [21,[31][32][33] or a polymer based on CPDT and benzothiadiazole (BT) ( Figure 3b) [34] resulted in a higher Tg and thus an enhanced thermal stability (Figure 3a). In the case of polythiophene (PT) the specific functional moieties were introduced in a small ratio (10%) into a random poly(3-alkylthiophene) improving the thermal stability significantly through a decay in demixing of the PAL.…”

Section: Chemical Diversification Of the Side Chain Of The Light Absomentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving, characterizing and predicting the lifetime of organic photovoltaics

Gevorgyan¹,

Heckler²,

Bundgaard³

et al. 2017

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This review summarizes the recent progress in the stability and lifetime of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). In particular, recently proposed solutions to failure mechanisms in different layers of the device stack are discussed comprising both structural and chemical modifications. Upscaling is additionally discussed from the perspective of stability presenting the challenges associated with device packaging and edge protection. An important part of device stability studies is the characterization and the review provides a short overview of the most advanced techniques for stability characterization reported recently. Lifetime testing and determination is another challenge in the field of organic solar cells and the final chapters discuss the testing protocols as well as the generic marker for device lifetime and the methodology for comparing all the lifetime landmarks in one common diagram. These tools were used to determine the baselines for OPV lifetime tested under different ageing conditions. Finally, the current status of lifetime for organic solar cells is presented and predictions are made for the progress in near future.

show abstract

Ester-functionalized poly(3-alkylthiophene) copolymers: Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and performance in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells

Cited by 24 publications

References 79 publications

Comparing blends and blocks: Synthesis of partially fluorinated diblock polythiophene copolymers to investigate the thermal stability of optical and morphological properties

Comparing blends and blocks: Synthesis of partially fluorinated diblock polythiophene copolymers to investigate the thermal stability of optical and morphological properties

The Influence of Conjugated Polymer Side Chain Manipulation on the Efficiency and Stability of Polymer Solar Cells

Improving, characterizing and predicting the lifetime of organic photovoltaics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About