Synthesis, Characterization, and Photovoltaic Properties of Poly(3-Phenyl Azomethine Alkylthiophene) Polymers

Abstract

Poly(3-phenyl azomethine ethylthiophene) (PPAET) and poly(3-phenyl azomethine butylthiophene) (PPABT) have been synthesized by the oxidative coupling method using FeCl 3 as the oxidant. The polymers were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The concomitant thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of the polymers revealed that they possess excellent potential as photovoltaic materials. The electrochemical bandgaps of PPAET and PPABT are calculated to be 2.19 eV and 2.14 eV, respectively. The absorption spectra showed broad absorption over the wavelength range of 350 nm to 590 nm with a maximum absorption peak at 407 nm and 415 nm (k max ), respectively, for PPAET and PPABT. Polymer photovoltaic cells based on blends of polymers and TiO 2 nanoparticles have been fabricated, and the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of the photovoltaic cells were measured to be 0.102% and 0.125%, respectively, for PPAET and PPABT.

New Thiophene Imines Acting as Hole Transporting Materials in Photovoltaic Devices

“…Therefore, new stable, processable organic compounds that are able to meet the continually increasing demands are being sought. − Among the various π-conjugated compounds, azomethines have attracted broad research interest as components in optoelectronic devices. − Imines are synthesized under mild reaction conditions, where only water is formed as a byproduct (the reaction is not harmful to the environment), and do not require a complicated purification process and metal catalysts. − , The possibility of modification of the azomethine structure through the appropriate selection of amines and carbonyl compounds allows for the preparation of new compounds with the desired properties. Considering the chemical structure of the investigated imines for organic electronics, special attention is paid to heterocyclic azomethines with a thiophene unit. − Compounds with a thiophene structure exhibit many desirable properties in optoelectronics, such as low oxidation potentials, low band-gap energy, good electrical conductivity, and chemical and thermal stability. ,− ,, Apart from the various fields of imine applications, they are also investigated as materials for photovoltaic (PV) cells. − Nowadays, they are examined in bulk heterojunctions (BHJs), − dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). − Bogdanow...…”

Correlation between microstructures and optical properties of polyaniline/single‐walled carbon nanotubes composites

“…Therefore, the optical spectrum can give an overview of physical process occurring when interacting with light. In this context, optical absorption process constitutes an easy way to obtain band gap energy and explain band structure of the material under study [3,4]. Using this spectroscopic method, optical gap, Urbach energy (E U ), skin depth and extinction coefficient can be elucidated [5].…”

Synthesis, Characterization, and Study of Electrochemical Behavior of N-alkyl Substituted Polycarbazole Derivatives

“…The curves showing relation between anodic peak current with scan rate are shown in Figure 6. Anodic peak currents (i p ) observed for the polymers reveal a linear relationship as a function of scan rate (v) for p-doping as shown in the figures, which indicates that the electrochemical processes are not diffusion-limited but surface-localized [27][28][29].…”

“…The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels are estimated from the onset oxidation potentials (u ox ) and the onset reduction potentials (u red ) of the polymers. Energy levels and electrochemical band gap (E ec g ) in turn are calculated using the following empirical equations [26,27]:…”