Diselenogermole as a novel donor monomer for low band gap polymers

TitleDiselenogermole as a novel donor monomer for low band gap polymers
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsZ. Fei, R.S. Ashraf, Y. Han, S. Wang, C.P. Yau, P.S. Tuladhar, T.D. Anthopoulos, M.L. Chabinyc, and M.J. Heeney
JournalJOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
Volume3
Pagination1986-1994
ISSN2050-7488
Abstract

We report the synthesis of a new diseleno[3,2-b:2',3'-d] germole (DSG) monomer containing branched 2-ethylhexyl sidechains on the bridging germanium group. The utility of this new electron rich monomer is explored by co-polymerisation of a distannylated DSG monomer with N-octylthienopyrrolodione to afford a soluble low band gap polymer. The DSG containing polymer shows a broader and more red-shifted absorption spectrum compared its thiophene analogue. Polymer solar cells are fabricated from blends with PC71BM exhibiting initial power conversion efficiencies of 5.2% in inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells.

DOI10.1039/c4ta05703a