Tuning the electronic properties of conducting polymers for OPV applications

Among the technologies available for solar power conversion, organic photovoltaics (OPV) are particularly attractive due to their potential low-cost production via low-temperature processing. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on a conjugated conducting polymer donor and fullerene acceptor have been the most successful organic solid-state devices to date. Tailoring the electronic properties of these materials are crucial for optimal device performance. Our work has focused on tuning the electronic properties of conducting polymers for solar power conversion. Specifically, we are looking at taking advantage of the hypervalent nature of sulfur in monomers as well as adding tetracyanoethylene to alkynyl-based conjugated polymers. The synthesis, electronic, and redox properties of these materials will be presented.