Cyclopentadithiophene-benzothiadiazole oligomers and polymers; synthesis, characterisation, field-effect transistor and photovoltaic characteristics
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Conjugated oligomers with various ratios of cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) to benzothiadiazole (BT) repeating units are reported. These oligomers can be polymerised to high molecular weight polymers (Mn > 100k) by oxidative polymerisation using iron(III)chloride. The electronic properties of these materials were examined by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy and the results compared to those calculated using density functional theory (DFT). Polymers with optimum ratios of CPDT : BT (2 : 1) units show hole mobilities in excess of 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 as the active layer in organic field effect transistors (OFETs). Bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices of these polymers with PCBM as the electron acceptor show a power conversion efficiency of 2.1% when processed in the absence of any additives. The reported OFET performance is significantly higher than the parent PCPDTBT alternating copolymer (CPDT : BT = 1 : 1) and also shows a moderate improvement in OPV performance.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 381-389 |
Journal | Journal of Materials Chemistry |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2012 |