Isostructural, deeper highest occupied molecular orbital analogues of poly(3-hexylthiophene) for high-open circuit voltage organic solar cells

Abstract

We present the synthesis and characterization of two novel thiazole-containing conjugated polymers (PTTTz and PTTz) that are isostructural to poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The novel materials demonstrate optical and morphological properties almost identical to those of P3HT but with HOMO and LUMO levels that are up to 0.45 eV deeper. An intramolecular planarizing nitrogen-sulfur nonbonding interaction is observed, and its magnitude and origin are discussed. Both materials demonstrate significantly greater open circuit voltages than P3HT in bulk heterojunction solar cells. PTTTz is shown to be an extremely versatile donor polymer that can be used with a wide variety of fullerene acceptors with device efficiencies of up to 4.5%. It is anticipated that this material could be used as a high-open circuit voltage alternative to P3HT in organic solar cells. © 2013 American Chemical Society.