Efficient organic photovoltaic cells based on thiazolothiazole and benzodithiophene copolymers with π‐conjugated bridges

New donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) type conjugated copolymers, poly[(4,8‐bis((2‐hexyldecyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,5‐bis(4‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole)] (PBDT‐tTz), and poly[(4,8‐bis((2‐hexyldecyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,5‐bis(6‐octylthieno[3,2‐b]thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole)] (PBDT‐ttTz) were synthesized and characterized with the aim of investigating their potential applicability to organic photovoltaic active materials. While copolymer PBDT‐tTz showed a zigzagged non‐linear structure by thiophene π‐bridges, PBDT‐ttTz had a linear molecular structure with thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene π‐bridges. The optical, electrochemical, morphological, and photovoltaic properties of PBDT‐tTz and PBDT‐ttTz were systematically investigated. Furthermore, bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices were fabricated by using the synthesized polymers as p‐type donors and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester as an n‐type acceptor. PBDT‐ttTz showed a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.21% as a result of the extended conjugation arising from the thienothiophene π‐bridges and enhanced molecular ordering in the film state, while PBDT‐tTz showed a relatively lower PCE of 2.92% under AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW/cm²). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1978–1988     

Novel pendent thiophene side‐chained benzodithiophene for polymer solar cells

In this article, pendent thiophene (2‐butyl‐5‐octylthiophene) side chain is used to modify the backbone of the polymers containing benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD). Compared with the dodecyloxy side‐chained polymer (P1), pendent thiophene‐based polymers (P2 and P3) show similar number‐average molecular weight (M_n), polydispersity index, thermal stability (T_d ～ 334–337 °C), and optical band gaps ( ) (～1.8 eV). Polymer (P2)‐based BDT with pendent thiophene and ethylhexyl‐modified TPD shows relatively low‐lying HOMO energy level (?5.52 eV) and nearly 1 V high open circuit voltage (V_OC). The polymer solar cell devices based on three copolymers show power conversion efficiencies from 2.01% to 4.13%. The hole mobility of these polymers tested by space charge limited current method range from 3.4 × 10^?4 to 9.2 × 10^?4 cm²V^?1s^?1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 1558–1566     

Synthesis and photovoltaic investigation of dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐d″]trithiophene‐based conjugated polymer with an enlarged π‐conjugated system

Compared with benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐d″]trithiophene (BTT), an extended π‐conjugation fused ring derivative, dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐d″]trithiophene (DTBTT) has been designed and synthesized successfully. For investigating the effect of extending conjugation, two wide‐bandgap (WBG) benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT)‐based conjugated polymers (CPs), PBDT‐DTBTT, and PBDT‐BTT, which were coupled between alkylthienyl‐substituted benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene bistin (BDT‐TSn) and the weaker electron‐deficient dibromides DTBTTBr₂ and BTTBr₂ bearing alkylacyl group, were prepared. The comparison result revealed that the extending of conjugated length and enlarging of conjugated planarity in DTBTT unit endowed the polymer with a wider and stronger absorption, more ordered molecular structure, more planar and larger molecular configuration, and thus higher hole mobility in spite of raised highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level. The best photovoltaic devices exhibited that PBDT‐DTBTT/PC₇₁BM showed the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.73% with an open‐circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.82 V, short‐circuit current density (J_SC) of 6.29 mA cm^?2, and fill factor (FF) of 52.45%, whereas control PBDT‐BTT/PC₇₁BM exhibited a PCE of 1.98% under the same experimental conditions. The 38% enhanced PCE was mainly benefited from improved absorption, and enhanced hole mobility after the conjugated system was extended from BTT to DTBTT. Therefore, our results demonstrated that extending the π‐conjugated system of donor polymer backbone was an effective strategy of tuning optical electronic property and promoting the photovoltaic property in design of WBG donor materials.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of copolymers based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene and thiophene with electron‐withdrawing side chains

Six alternating conjugated copolymers ( PL1 – PL6 ) of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) and thiophene, containing electron‐withdrawing oxadiazole (OXD), ester, or alkyl as side chains, were synthesized by Stille coupling reaction. The structures of the polymers were confirmed, and their thermal, optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties were investigated. The introduction of conjugated electron‐withdrawing OXD or formate ester side chain benefits to decrease the bandgaps of the polymers and improve the photovoltaic performance due to the low steric hindrance of BDT. Bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated based on the blend of the as‐synthesized polymers and the fullerene derivative [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) in a 1:2 weight ratio. The maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.06% was obtained for PL5 ‐based PSC under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm². © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Effects of donor unit and π‐bridge on photovoltaic properties of D–A copolymers based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']‐dithiophene‐4,8‐dione acceptor unit

A series of donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) conjugated copolymers ( PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT , and PDTS‐TT ), based on benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐c']dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDD) acceptor unit with benzodithiophene (BDT) or dithienosilole (DTS) as donor unit, alkylthiophene (AT) or thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) as conjugated π‐bridge, were designed and synthesized for application as donor materials in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Effects of the donor unit and π‐bridge on the optical and electrochemical properties, hole mobilities, and photovoltaic performance of the D‐π‐A copolymers were investigated. PSCs with the polymers as donor and PC₇₀BM as acceptor exhibit an initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.46% for PBDT‐AT , 2.62% for PDTS‐AT , 0.82% for PBDT‐TT , and 2.38% for PDTS‐TT . After methanol treatment, the PCE was increased up to 5.91%, 3.06%, 1.45%, and 2.45% for PBDT‐AT, PDTS‐AT, PBDT‐TT , and PDTS‐TT , respectively, with significantly increased FF. The effects of methanol treatment on the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs can be ascribed to the increased and balanced carrier transport and the formation of better nanoscaled interpenetrating network in the active layer. The results indicate that both donor unit and π‐bridge are crucial in designing a D‐π‐A copolymer for high‐performance photovoltaic materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1929–1940     

Synthesis and photovoltaic performances of benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene‐alt‐2,3‐diphenylquinoxaline copolymers pending functional groups in phenyl rings

Two donor/acceptor (D/A)‐based benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐alt‐2,3‐biphenyl quinoxaline copolymers of P 1 and P 2 were synthesized pending different functional groups (thiophene or triphenylamine) in the 4‐positions of phenyl rings. Their thermal, photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties, as well as morphology of their blending films were investigated. The poly(4,8‐bis((2‐ethyl‐hexyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b'] dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,3‐bis(4′‐bis(N,N‐bis(4‐(octyloxy) phenylamino)‐ 1,1′‐biphen‐4‐yl)quinoxaline) ( P 2) exhibited better photovoltaic performance than poly(4,8‐bis((2‐ethylhexyl)oxy)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b'] dithiophene)‐alt‐(2,3‐bis(4‐(5‐octylthiophen‐2‐yl)phenyl)quinoxaline) ( P 1) in the bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells with a configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymers: [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM)/LiF/Al. A power conversion efficiency of 3.43%, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.80 V, and a short‐circuit current of 9.20 mA cm^?2 were achieved in the P 2‐based cell under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW cm^?2. Importantly, this power conversion efficiency level is 2.29 times higher than that in the P 1‐based cell. Our work indicated that incorporating triphenylamine pendant in the D/A‐based polymers can greatly improved the photovoltaic properties for its resulting polymers.     

One‐pot Sequential Reactions Featuring a Copper‐catalyzed Amination Leading to Pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐c]quinolines and Dihydropyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐c]quinolines

Tetracyclic skeletons combining an imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine moiety with a quinoline framework such as pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐b]quinoline are stimulating increasing interests since they are close isosteres of a series of powerful antiproliferative compounds. In this paper, we report a novel methodology for the synthesis of pyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐c]quinolines through one‐pot sequential reactions of commercially available or readily obtainable 2‐aminopyridines, 2‐bromophenacyl bromides, aqueous ammonia, and aldehydes. Moreover, dihydropyrido[2′,1′:2,3]imidazo[4,5‐c]quinolines could also be obtained in a similar manner by using various ketones as the substrates in place of aldehydes. Notably, the whole procedure combines condensation/amination/cyclization reactions in one pot to give complex compounds in a simple and practical manner. Compared with literature methods, the synthetic strategy reported herein has the advantages of readily available starting materials, structural diversity of products, good functional group tolerance, and obviation of step‐by‐step operations.     

Medium band gap conjugated polymers from thienoacene derivatives and pentacyclic aromatic lactam as promising alternatives of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in photovoltaic application

Two alternating medium band gap conjugated polymers (PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI) derived from 4,8‐bis(4,5‐dioctylthien‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT‐T) or 5,10‐bis(4,5‐didecylthien‐2‐yl)dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (DTBDT‐T) with pentacyclic aromatic lactam of N,N‐didodecylthieno[2′,3′:5,6]pyrido[3,4‐g]thieno[3,2‐c]‐iso‐quinoline‐5,11‐dione (TPTI), are synthesized and characterized. The comparative investigation of the photostabilities of the copolymers revealed that the PDTBDT‐TPTI film exhibited the comparable photostability in relative to P3HT. Meanwhile, the inverted photovoltaic cells (i‐PVCs) from the blend films of PBDT‐TPTI and/or PDTBDT‐TPTI with PC₇₁BM, in which poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)] were used as cathode modifying interlayer, presented higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.98% and 6.05% with photocurrent response ranging from 300 nm to 650 nm in contrast with the PCEs of 4.48% for the optimal inverted PVCs from P3HT/PC₇₁BM under AM 1.5 G 100 mW/cm². The PCEs of the i‐PVCs from PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI were improved to 7.58% and 6.91% in contrast to that of 0.02% for the P3HT‐based i‐PVCs, and the photocurrent responses of the devices were extended to 300–792 nm, when the ITIC was used as electron acceptor materials. The results indicate that the PBDT‐TPTI and PDTBDT‐TPTI can be used as the promising alternatives of notable P3HT in the photovoltaic application. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 85–95     

A New Four‐Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles]

A new four‐component synthesis of spiro[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine‐4,3′‐[3H]indoles] and spiro[acenaphthylene‐1(2H),4′‐[4H‐indeno[1,2‐b]pyridines] by the reaction of indane‐1,3‐dione, 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, isatins (=1H‐indole‐2,3‐diones) or acenaphthylene‐1,2‐dione, and AcONH₄ in refluxing toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine is reported.     

Three‐Component One‐Pot Synthesis of Indeno[2′,1′:5,6]Pyrido[2,3‐d]Pyrazole Derivatives in Aqueous Media

A series of indeno[2′,1′:5,6]pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrazoles was synthesized by the three‐component reaction of aldehyde, 5‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazole and 1,3‐indenedione in the presence of SDS in aqueous media. The structures were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, high resolution mass spectra and were further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Reactions of 4‐Hydrazino‐2‐methylpyrimidino[4′5′:4,5]thiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazole

4‐Hydrazino‐2‐methylpyrimidino[4′,5′:4,5]thiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazole ( 4 ) was obtained from hydrazinolysis of the 4‐chloro derivative 3 with hydrazine hydrate. The hydrazino derivative 4 was further cyclized to the corresponding pyrazole 5 , pyrazolone 6 and 5‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1″,5″:3′,4′]pyrimidino[5′,6′:5,4]‐thiazolo[3,2‐a]benzimidazole ( 9 ) and 5‐methy‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4″,3″:3′,4′]pyrimidino[5′,6′:5,4]thiazolo‐[3,2‐a]benzimidazole ( 10 ), respectively. The triazolo derivative 10 was isomerized to the triazolo derivative 9 under a variety of reaction conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based copolymers as electron donor and hole transport materials for bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells

A novel class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) and isoindigo based copolymers were synthesized and evaluated as electron donor and hole transport materials in bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs). These π‐conjugated donor‐acceptor polymers were derived from fused TT and isoindigo structures bridged by thiophene units. The band‐gaps and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels of the polymers were tuned using different conjugating lengths of thiophene units on the main chains, providing band‐gaps from 1.55 to 1.91 eV and HOMO levels from ?5.34 to ?5.71 eV, respectively. The corresponding lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels were appropriately adjusted with the isoindigo units. Conventional BHJ PSCs (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/interlayer/Al) with an active layer composed of the polymer and PC₇₁BM were fabricated for evaluation. Power conversion efficiency from a low of 1.25% to a high of 4.69% were achieved with the best performing device provided by the D?π?A polymer with a relatively board absorption spectrum, high absorption coefficient, and more uniform blend morphology. These results demonstrate the potential of this class of thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐isoindigo‐based polymers as efficient electron donor and hole transport polymers for BHJ PSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Highly Fluorescent Conjugated Copolymers Containing Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole

Three copolymers that incorporate dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole with fluorene, carbazole, or pyridine have been prepared by Suzuki reaction and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and GPC. A new homopolymer of dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole was also synthesized for the comparison of their structure–property relationships. Their thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties have been investigated. All the polymers exhibit good thermal stability with decomposition temperatures around 400 °C. The fluorescence quantum efficiencies of all these polymers in solution are in the range of 33.5–55.5%. The copolymers also show high film fluorescence quantum efficiencies of about 20% while the fluorescence of the homopolymer film is almost quenched.

     

Metallocenyl‐[2H]naphtho[1,2‐b]pyrans: metal effect on the photochromic behaviour

Previous studies have shown that the substitution by a ferrocenyl group in the 2‐position of naphthopyrans has a specific and an original effect on the photochromic behaviour. In this work, the synthesis and the photochromic properties of new naphthopyrans substituted in the 2‐position by three different metallocenyl groups (ferrocenyl, ruthenocenyl and osmocenyl) are presented. Whereas the ferrocenyl‐substituted derivatives under UV irradiation show two absorption bands, the ruthenocenyl and osmocenyl derivatives are characterized by only one absorption band under the same condition. The photochromic behaviour of these compounds is compared with that of their parent alkyl or phenyl 2‐substituted [2H]‐naphtho[1,2‐b]pyrans. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine‐based low bandgap photovoltaic copolymers: Turning the properties by different aza‐heteroaromatic donors

A new series of low‐bandgap copolymers based on electron‐accepting thieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine (TPZ) and different electron‐donating aza‐heteroaromatic units, such as carbazole (CZ), dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole (TPR) and dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐e]pyridine (TPY), have been synthesized by Suzuki or Stille coupling polymerization. The resulting copolymers were characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. UV–vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry measurements show that TPZ‐based copolymer with TPR has the best absorption due to the strongest intramolecular charge transfer effect and smallest bandgap. The basic electronic structure of D‐A model compounds of these copolymers were also studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The conclusion of calculation agreed also well with the experimental results. The polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on these copolymers were fabricated with a typical structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/copolymer:PC₇₁BM/Ca/Al under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2. The performance results showed that TPZ‐based copolymer with TPR donor segments showed highest efficiency of 1.55% due to enhanced short‐circuit current density. The present results indicate that good electronic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of TPZ‐based copolymers can be achieved by just fine‐tuning the structures of aza‐heteroaromatic donor segments for their application in PSCs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis and Properties of N,N′‐Bis(difuroxano [3,4‐b:3′,4′‐d]phenyl)oxalic Amide

N,N′‐Bis(difuroxano[3,4‐b:3′,4′‐d]phenyl)oxalic amide was synthesized via acylation, nitration, azidation, and pyrolysis‐denitrogenation from the starting materials of oxalyl chloride and 3,5‐dichloroaniline, under mild reaction conditions, with the yields of 81.0%, 82.0%, 86.0% and 81.7% respectively. The title compound and its precursors were characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis. The title compound has a density of 1.92 g·cm^?3 by a suspension method, a standard formation enthalpy of 979 kJ·mol^?1 calculated by Gaussian programs, a detonation velocity of 8.17 km·s^?1, and a detonation pressure of 31 GPa obtained by Kamlet Equation. The thermal decomposition reactions of the title compound at different heating rates were tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kinetics parameters of the pyrolysis of the compound were calculated by Kissinger's method. The values of apparent activation energy (E_a) and pre‐exponential constant (A) were 226.7 kJ·mol^?1 and 10^23.17 s^?1 respectively. It was presupposed that N,N′‐bis(difuroxano[3,4‐b:3′,4′‐d]phenyl)oxalic amide would be a promising high energetic explosive with low sensitivity.     

Synthesis of Novel Phthalazino[1,2‐b]quinazolinedione Derivatives: Efficient and Practical Reaction of 2‐Amino‐N′‐Arylbenzohydrazides and 2‐Formylbenzoic Acids

This work reported the synthesis of novel phthalazino[1,2‐b]quinazolinedione derivatives through the reaction of 2‐amino‐N′‐arylbenzohydrazides and 2‐formylbenzoic acids in the presence of TsOH in EtOH under reflux conditions.     

Efficient Synthesis of 4,8-Dibromo Derivative of Strong Electron-Deficient Benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bis([1,2,3]thiadiazole) and Its SNAr and Cross-Coupling Reactions

An efficient synthesis of hydrolytically and thermally stable 4,8-dibromobenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bis([1,2,3]thiadiazole) by the bromination of its parent heterocycle is reported. The structure of 4,8-dibromobenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bis([1,2,3]thiadiazole) was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The conditions for the selective aromatic nucleophilic substitution of one bromine atom in this heterocyclic system by nitrogen nucleophiles are found, whereas thiols formed the bis-derivatives only. Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions were found to be an effective method for the selective formation of various mono- and di(het)arylated derivatives of strong electron-deficient benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bis([1,2,3]thiadiazole), and Stille coupling can be employed for the preparation of bis-arylated heterocycles, which can be considered as useful building blocks for the synthesis of DSSCs and OLEDs components.     

A new two‐dimensional CoII coordination polymer based on bis[4‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl] ether and biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyldicarboxylic acid: synthesis,crystal structure and photocatalytic degradation activity

A novel two‐dimensional Co^II coordination framework, namely poly[(μ₂‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diyldicarboxylato‐κ²O⁴:O^4′){μ₂‐bis[4‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl] ether‐κ²N³:N^3′}cobalt(II)], [Co(C₁₄H₈O₄)(C₂₀H₁₈N₄O)]_n, has been prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals that the compound has an achiral two‐dimensional layered structure based on opposite‐handed helical chains. In addition, it exhibits significant photocatalytic degradation activity for the degradation of methylene blue.