Development of Low Energy Gap and Fully Regioregular Polythienylenevinylene Derivative

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Journal of Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/379372· OSTI ID:1198209

David, Tanya M. S. ^[1]; Zhang, Cheng ^[2]; Sun, Sam-Shajing ^[1]

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1. Center for Materials Research, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504, USA
2. Center for Materials Research, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504, USA, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, P.O. Box 2202, Brookings, SD 57007, USA

Low energy gap and fully regioregular conjugated polymers find its wide use in solar energy conversion applications. This paper will first briefly review this type of polymers and also report synthesis and characterization of a specific example new polymer, a low energy gap, fully regioregular, terminal functionalized, and processable conjugated polymer poly-(3-dodecyloxy-2,5-thienylene vinylene) or PDDTV. The polymer exhibited an optical energy gap of 1.46 eV based on the UV-vis-NIR absorption spectrum. The electrochemically measured highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level is −4.79 eV, resulting in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of −3.33 eV based on optical energy gap. The polymer was synthesized via Horner-Emmons condensation and is fairly soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform with gentle heating. DSC showed two endothermic peaks at 67°C and 227°C that can be attributed to transitions between crystalline and liquid states. The polymer is thermally stable up to about 300°C. This polymer appears very promising for cost-effective solar cell applications.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0004002
• OSTI ID: 1198209
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Chemistry Vol. 2014; ISSN 2090-9063
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Country of Publication: Egypt
• Language: English