Molecular Engineering of Simple Phenothiazine‐Based Dyes To Modulate Dye Aggregation,Charge Recombination,and Dye Regeneration in Highly Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A series of simple phenothiazine‐based dyes, namely, TP , EP , TTP , ETP , and EEP have been developed, in which the thiophene (T), ethylenedioxythiophene (E), their dimers, and mixtures are present to modulate dye aggregation, charge recombination, and dye regeneration for highly efficient dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. Devices sensitized by the dyes TP and TTP display high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 8.07 (J_sc=15.2 mA cm^?2, V_oc=0.783 V, fill factor (FF)=0.679) and 7.87 % (J_sc=16.1 mA cm^?2, V_oc=0.717 V, FF=0.681), respectively; these were measured under simulated AM 1.5 sunlight in conjunction with the I^?/I₃^? redox couple. By replacing the T group with the E unit, EP ‐based DSSCs had a slightly lower PCE of 7.98 % with a higher short‐circuit photocurrent (J_sc) of 16.7 mA cm^?2. The dye ETP , with a mixture of E and T, had an even lower PCE of 5.62 %. Specifically, the cell based on the dye EEP , with a dimer of E, had inferior J_sc and V_oc values and corresponded to the lowest PCE of 2.24 %. The results indicate that the photovoltaic performance can be finely modulated through structural engineering of the dyes. The selection of T analogues as donors can not only modulate light absorption and energy levels, but also have an impact on dye aggregation and interfacial charge recombination of electrons at the interface of titania, electrolytes, and/or oxidized dye molecules; this was demonstrated through DFT calculations, electrochemical impedance analysis, and transient photovoltage studies.     

Highly Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Panchromatic Ruthenium Sensitizers with Quinolinylbipyridine Anchors

Panchromatic Ru^II sensitizers TF‐30–TF‐33 bearing a new class of 6‐quinolin‐8‐yl‐2,2′‐bipyridine anchor were synthesized and tested under AM1.5 G simulated solar irradiation. Their increased π conjugation relative to that of the traditional 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐based anchor led to a remarkable improvement in absorptivity across the whole UV–Vis–NIR spectral regime. Furthermore, the introduction of a bulky tert‐butyl substituent on the quinolinyl fragment not only led to an increase in the J_SC value owing to the suppression of dye aggregation, but remarkably also resulted in no loss in V_OC in comparison with the reference sensitizer containing a tricarboxyterpyridine anchor. The champion sensitizer in DSC devices was found to be TF‐32 with a performance of J_SC=19.2 mA cm^?2, V_OC=740 mV, FF=0.72, and η=10.19 %. This 6‐quinolin‐8‐yl‐2,2′‐bipyridine anchor thus serves as a prototype for the next generation of Ru^II sensitizers with any tridentate ancillary.     

Two novel branched chain polymeric metal complexes based on Cd(II), Zn(II) with fluorene,thiophene, 8‐hydroxyquinoline,and 1,10‐phenathroline ligand: synthesis,characterization, photovoltaic properties,and their application in DSSCs

Two novel side chain polymeric metal complexes (PFT‐Cd and PFT‐Zn) have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. These polymers were found to be good thermally stable and high glass transitions temperature, which indicate that these polymers could be applied as photovoltaic materials for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The obtained polymers exhibited good photovoltaic property. The DSSCs based on the PFT‐Cd and PFT‐Zn exhibited a maximum solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency (η) up to 3.37% (J_sc = 7.27 mA/cm², V_oc = 0.67 V, and FF = 0.69) and 3.01% (V_oc = 0.72 V, J_sc = 6.10 mA/cm², FF = 0.69) under simulated AM 1.5 G solar irradiation (90–95 mW/cm²). The result shows that these novel materials are suitable for the dye‐sensitized solar cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of photocurrent of polymer‐gelled dye‐sensitized solar cell by incorporation of exfoliated montmorillonite nanoplatelets

Poly(n‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and its nanocomposite with exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared by soap‐free emulsion polymerization and individually applied to gel the electrolyte systems for the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Each exfoliated MMT nanoplatelet had a thickness of ～ 1 nm, carried ～ 1.8 cation/nm², and acted like a two‐dimensional electrolyte. The DSSC with the LiI/I₂/tertiary butylpyridine electrolyte system gelled by this polymer nanocomposite had higher short‐circuit current density (J_sc) compared to that gelled by the neat PNIPAAm. The former has a J_sc of 12.6 mA/cm², an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.73 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.59, which harvested 5.4% electricity conversion efficiency (η) under AM 1.5 irradiation at 100 mW/cm², whereas the latter has J_sc = 7.28 mA/cm², V_oc = 0.72 V, FF = 0.60, and η = 3.17%. IPCE of the nanocomposite‐gelled DSSC were also improved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the DSSCs revealed that the nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes significantly decreased the impedances in three major electric current paths of DSSCs, that is, the resistance of electrolytes and electric contacts, impedance across the electrolytes/dye‐coated TiO₂ interface, and Nernstian diffusion within the electrolytes. The results were also consistent with the increased molar conductivity of nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 47–53, 2008     

Two main chain polymeric metal complexes as dye sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells based on the coordination of the ligand containing 8‐hydroxyquinoline and phenylethyl or fluorene units with Eu(III)

Two novel main chain polymeric metal complexes containing 8‐hydroxyquinoline europium complexes and phenylethyl or fluorene units: 1,4‐Dioctyloxy‐2,5‐bis[2‐(8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐vinyl]‐benzene Eu(III) (3) and 2,7‐bis[2‐(8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐vinyl]‐9,9′‐diocthylfluorene Eu(III) (4) with donor–acceptor‐π‐conjugated structure (D‐π‐A) have been synthesized and investigated as dye sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells dyes (DSSCs). They have been determined and studied by FT‐IR, TGA, DSC, GPC, Elemental analysis, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as dye sensitizers. On the basis of optimized dye and molecular structure, they have shown solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency 2.25% for 3 (J_sc = 4.77 mA cm^?2, V_oc = 630 mV, FF = 0.75) and 3.04% for 4 (J_sc = 6.33 mA cm^?2, V_oc = 640 mV, FF = 0.75), under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm². The IPCE of 3 and 4 are 30% and 46% at 400 nm, respectively. Besides, they showed good stabilities with thermal decomposition temperatures at 280 °C and 225 °C, respectively, which are suitable for DSSCs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1943–1951, 2010     

Anthracene‐Containing Wide‐Band‐Gap Conjugated Polymers for High‐Open‐Circuit‐Voltage Polymer Solar Cells

The synthesis, characterization, and photophysical and photovoltaic properties of two anthracene‐containing wide‐band‐gap donor and acceptor (D–A) alternating conjugated polymers ( P1 and P2 ) are described. These two polymers absorb in the range of 300–600 nm with a band gap of about 2.12 eV. Polymer solar cells with P1 :PC₇₁BM as the active layer demonstrate a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.23% with a high V_oc of 0.96 V, a J_sc of 4.4 mA cm⁻², and a comparable fill factor (FF) of 0.53 under simulated solar illumination of AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm⁻²). In addition, P2 :PC₇₁BM blend‐based solar cells exhibit a PCE of 1.42% with a comparable V_oc of 0.89 V, a J_sc of 3.0 mA cm⁻², and an FF of 0.53.

     

Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Based on a Donor–Acceptor System with a Pyridine Cation as an Electron‐Withdrawing Anchoring Group

New hemicyanine dyes ( CM101 , CM102 , CM103 , and CM104 ) in which tetrahydroquinoline derivatives are used as electron donors and N‐(carboxymethyl)‐pyridinium is used as an electron acceptor and anchoring group were designed and synthesized for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compared with corresponding dyes that have cyanoacetic acid as the acceptor, N‐(carboxymethyl)‐pyridinium has a stronger electron‐withdrawing ability, which causes the absorption maximum of dyes to be redshifted. The photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs based on dyes CM101 – CM104 markedly depends on the molecular structures of the dyes in terms of the n‐hexyl chains and methoxyl. The device sensitized by dye CM104 achieved the best conversion efficiency of 7.0 % (J_sc=13.4 mA cm^?2, V_oc=704 mV, FF=74.8 %) under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2). In contrast, the device sensitized by reference dye CMR104 with the same donor but the cyanoacetic acid as the acceptor gave an efficiency of 3.4 % (J_sc=6.2 mA cm^?2, V_oc=730 mV, FF=74.8 %). Under the same conditions, the cell fabricated with N719 sensitized porous TiO₂ exhibited an efficiency of 7.9 % (J_sc=15.4 mA cm^?2, V_oc=723 mV, FF=72.3 %). The dyes CM101 – CM104 show a broader spectral response compared with the reference dyes CMR101 – CMR104 and have high IPCE exceeding 90 % from 450 to 580 nm. Considering the reflection of sunlight, the photoelectric conversion efficiency could be almost 100 % during this region.     

Dyes and Redox Couples with Matched Energy Levels: Elimination of the Dye‐Regeneration Energy Loss in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

In dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a significant dye‐regeneration force (ΔG_reg⁰≥0.5 eV) is usually required for effective dye regeneration, which results in a major energy loss and limits the energy‐conversion efficiency of state‐of‐art DSSCs. We demonstrate that when dye molecules and redox couples that possess similar conjugated ligands are used, efficient dye regeneration occurs with zero or close‐to‐zero driving force. By using Ru(dcbpy)(bpy)₂²⁺ as the dye and Ru(bpy)₂(MeIm)₂^3+//2+ as the redox couple, a short‐circuit current (J_sc) of 4 mA cm^?2 and an open‐circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.9 V were obtained with a ΔG_reg⁰ of 0.07 eV. The same was observed for the N3 dye and Ru(bpy)₂(SCN)₂^1+/0 (ΔG_reg⁰=0.0 eV), which produced an J_sc of 2.5 mA cm^?2 and V_oc of 0.6 V. Charge recombination occurs at pinholes, limiting the performance of the cells. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that high V_oc values can be attained by significantly curtailing the dye‐regeneration force.     

Highly Catalytic Carbon Nanotube/Pt Nanohybrid‐Based Transparent Counter Electrode for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Low‐cost transparent counter electrodes (CEs) for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are prepared by using nanohybrids of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐supported platinum nanoparticles as highly active catalysts. The nanohybrids, synthesized by an ionic‐liquid‐assisted sonochemical method, are directly deposited on either rigid glass or flexible plastic substrates by a facile electrospray method for operation as CEs. Their electrochemical performances are examined by cyclic voltammetry, current density–voltage characteristics, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The CNT/Pt hybrid films exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for I^?/I₃^? with a weak dependence on film thickness. A transparent CNT/Pt hybrid CE film about 100 nm thick with a transparency of about 70 % (at 550 nm) can result in a high power conversion efficiency (η) of over 8.5 %, which is comparable to that of pyrolysis platinum‐based DSSCs, but lower cost. Furthermore, DSSC based on flexible CNT/Pt hybrid CE using indium‐doped tin oxide‐coated polyethylene terephthalate as the substrate also exhibits η=8.43 % with J_sc=16.85 mA cm^?2, V_oc=780 mV, and FF=0.64, and this shows great potential in developing highly efficient flexible DSSCs.     

A New D–A conjugated polymer P(PTQD‐BDT) with PTQD acceptor and BDT donor units for BHJ polymer solar cells application

A novel donor–acceptor ( D–A ) copolymer comprising of weak electron donating BDT moiety and strong 9‐(2‐octyldodecyl)?8H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐b] bisthieno[2,3‐f:3',2'‐h] quinoxaline‐8,10(9H)‐dione (PTQD) unit denoted as P(PTQD‐BDT) was synthesized as donor material for polymer solar cells. P(PTQD‐BDT) shows a broad visible‐near‐infrared absorption band with an optical bandgap of 1.74 eV and possesses a relatively low‐lying HOMO level at ?5.28 eV. Bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cell with the optimized blend of 1:2 (weight ratio) P(PTQD‐BDT):PC₇₁BM (processed with chloroform) shows an open circuit voltage of 0.92 V, a short circuit current density of 7.84 mA/cm², and a fill factor of 0.50, achieving a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.61%. The PCE has been further improved to 5.55 % (J_sc = 10.34 mA/cm², V_oc = 0.88V and FF = 0.61), when 3% v ol 1,8‐diio‐dooctane (DIO) was used as solvent additive for the processing of P(PTQD‐BDT):PC₇₁BM blended film. The enhancement in J_sc is as a result of the appropriate morphology and efficient exciton dissociation into free charge carrier. The increase in PCE has been attributed to the favorable nanoscale morphology for efficient exciton dissociation and charge transport (reduction in the electron to hole mobility ratio). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2390–2398     

Fused structures in the polymer backbone to investigate the photovoltaic and electrochromic properties of donor–acceptor‐type conjugated polymers

In this study, two new benzotriazole (BTz) and dithienothiophene (DTT) containing conjugated polymers were synthesized. After successful characterizations of the monomers by proton‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and carbon‐NMR (¹³C NMR) techniques, poly(4‐(dithieno[3, 2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3] triazole) P1 and poly(4‐(5‐(dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]thiophen‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐7‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole) P2 were synthesized via a typical Stille coupling. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies showed that both polymers can be multipurpose materials and used in electrochromic and photovoltaic applications. Reported study indicated that incorporation of DTT into the structure leads to fast switching times compared with BTz‐based polymers and competent percentage transmittance in the near‐infrared region. Multichromism is important in the context of low‐cost flexible display device technology and both polymers are ambipolar and processable as well as multichromic. Throughout the preliminary photovoltaic studies, the best performances of photovoltaic devices were found as V_oc = 0.49 V, J_sc = 0.83 mA/cm², fill factor (FF) = 34.4%, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) = 0.14% for P1 , and as V_oc = 0.35 V, J_sc = 1.57 mA/cm², FF = 38.2%, and PCE = 0.21% for P2 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

High‐Performance Organic Materials for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Triarylene‐Linked Dyads with a 4‐tert‐Butylphenylamine Donor

A series of organic dyes were prepared that displayed remarkable solar‐to‐energy conversion efficiencies in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These dyes are composed of a 4‐tert‐butylphenylamine donor group (D), a cyanoacrylic‐acid acceptor group (A), and a phenylene‐thiophene‐phenylene (PSP) spacer group, forming a D‐π‐A system. A dye containing a bulky tert‐butylphenylene‐substituted carbazole (CB) donor group showed the highest performance, with an overall conversion efficiency of 6.70 %. The performance of the device was correlated to the structural features of the donor groups; that is, the presence of a tert‐butyl group can not only enhance the electron‐donating ability of the donor, but can also suppress intermolecular aggregation. A typical device made with the CB‐PSP dye afforded a maximum photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 80 % in the region 400–480 nm, a short‐circuit photocurrent density J_sc=14.63 mA cm^?2, an open‐circuit photovoltage V_oc=0.685 V, and a fill factor FF=0.67. When chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was used as a co‐absorbent, the open‐circuit voltage of CB‐PSP was elevated significantly, yet the overall performance decreased by 16–18 %. This result indicated that the presence of 4‐tert‐butylphenyl substituents can effectively inhibit self‐aggregation, even without CDCA.     

Application of the Organic Photosensitizers Bearing Two Carboxylic Acid Groups to Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Three electron donor‐?? bridge‐electron acceptor (D‐π‐A) organic dyes bearing two carboxylic acid groups were applied to dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC) as sensitizers, in which one triphenylamine or modified triphenylamine and two rhodanine‐3‐acetic acid fragments act as D and A, respectively. It was found that the introduction of t‐butyl or methoxy group in the triphenylamine subunit could lead to more efficient photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer, thus improving the overall photoelectric conversion efficiency of the resultant DSSC. Under global AM 1.5 solar irradiation (73 mW·cm^?2), the dye molecule based on methoxy‐substituted triphenylamine achieved the best photovoltaic performance: a short circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 12.63 mA·cm^?2, an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.55 V, a fill factor (FF) of 0.62, corresponding to an overall efficiency (η) of 5.9%.     

Effect of permodified β‐cyclodextrin on the photophysical properties of poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)‐alt‐(5,5′‐bithiophene)] main chain polyrotaxanes

The photophysical properties of two polyrotaxanes ( PFBTh?PSβCD and PFBTh?PMeβCD ) composed of fluorene and bithiophene encapsulated into permodified β‐cyclodextrin cavities have been investigated and compared with those of the reference PFBTh . Rotaxane formation results in improvements of the thermal stability, solubility in common organic solvents, as well as better film forming ability combined with a high transparency. As expected PFBTh and its encapsulated forms absorb at wavelengths beyond 510 nm, and time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) in solution shows a well‐define vibronic structures with a predominance of the 0‐0 transitions and an energy difference of 0.16 eV. The fluorescence lifetimes follow a monoexponential decay with a value τ = 630 ± 30 ps. Atomic force microscopy, AFM, indicated a tendency of polyrotaxanes to organize into fibers. The advancing contact angles indicated higher surface hydrophobicity and lower surface free‐energy values for polyrotaxanes compared with their unthreaded analogues. The device based on PFBTh?PSβCD: PCBM in a 1/1 w/w ratio under simulated AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW cm^?2 exhibited improved photovoltaic parameters of cells, resulted in high V_oc (0.68 V), J_sc (1.65 mA cm^?2), FF (31.6%), and PCE (0.35) values, compared with PFBTh or PFBTh?PMeβCD , respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 460–471     

Controlling Interfacial Recombination in Aqueous Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Octadecyltrichlorosilane Surface Treatment

A general and convenient strategy is proposed for enhancing photovoltaic performance of aqueous dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) through the surface modification of titania using an organic alkyl silane. Introduction of octadecyltrichlorosilane on the surface of dyed titania photoanode as an organic barrier layer leads to the efficient suppression of electron recombination with oxidized cobalt species by restricting access of the cobalt redox couple to the titania surface. The champion ODTS‐treated aqueous DSCs (0.25 mM ODTS in hexane for 5 min) exhibit a V_oc of 821±4 mV and J_sc of 10.17±0.21 mA cm^?2, yielding a record PCE of 5.64±0.10 %. This surface treatment thus serves as a promising post‐dye strategy for improving the photovoltaic performance of other aqueous DSCs.     

Synthesis of three new 1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl) pyrrole‐based donor polymers and their bulk heterojunction solar cell applications

A series of three new 1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole‐based polymers such as poly[1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole] ( PTPT ), poly[1,4‐(2,5‐bis(octyloxy)phenylene)‐alt‐5,5'‐(1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole)] ( PPTPT ), and poly[2,5‐(3‐octylthiophene)‐alt‐5,5'‐(1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole)] ( PTTPT ) were synthesized and characterized. The new polymers were readily soluble in common organic solvents and the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the three polymers are thermally stable with the 5% degradation temperature >379 °C. The absorption maxima of the polymers were 478, 483, and 485 nm in thin film and the optical band gaps calculated from the onset wavelength of the optical absorption were 2.15, 2.20, and 2.13 eV, respectively. Each of the polymers was investigated as an electron donor blending with PC₇₀BM as an electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. BHJ solar cells were fabricated in ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:PC₇₀BM/TiO_x/Al configurations. The BHJ solar cell with PPTPT :PC₇₀BM (1:5 wt %) showed the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.35% (J_sc = 7.41 mA/cm², V_oc = 0.56 V, FF = 33%), measured using AM 1.5G solar simulator at 100 mW/cm² light illumination. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Molecular Design of D‐π‐A Type II Organic Sensitizers for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Four new type II organic dyes with D‐π‐A structure (donor‐π‐conjugated‐acceptor) and two typical type II sensitizers based on catechol as reference dyes are synthesized and applied in dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The four dyes can be adsorbed on TiO₂ through hydroxyl group directly. Electron injection can occur not only through the anchoring group (hydroxyl group) but also through the electron‐withdrawing group (? CN) located close to the semiconductor surface. Experimental results show that the type II sensitizers with a D‐π‐A system obviously outperform the typical type II sensitizers providing much higher conversion efficiency due to the strong electronic push‐pull effect. Among these dyes, LS223 gives the best solar energy conversion efficiency of 3.6%, with J_sc=7.3 mA·cm^?2, V_oc=0.69 V, FF=0.71, the maximum IPCE value reaches 74.9%.     

New thieno[3,2-b]indole conjugates with 5-(methylene)rhodanine-3-acetic acid in dye-sensitized solar cells

Five new dyes with D–π–A structure bearing 5-(methylene)-rhodanine-3-acetic acid as an acceptor-anchoring part and thieno[3,2-b]indole or benzo[g]thieno[3,2-b]indole as an electron-donating part were synthesized and applied as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In addition, thermal stability, optical and electrochemical properties of these dyes were investigated. The highest PCE value of 1.09% (J_sc = 3.01 mA cm^–2, V_oc = 0.53 V, FF = 0.69) was achieved for DSSC based on benzo[g]thieno[3,2-b]indole dye under AM 1.5G irradiation.     

A Pentacyclic Nitrogen‐Bridged Thienyl–Phenylene–Thienyl Arene for Donor–Acceptor Copolymers: Synthesis,Characterization, and Applications in Field‐Effect Transistors and Polymer Solar Cells

A pentacyclic benzodipyrrolothiophene ( BDPT ) unit, in which two outer thiophene rings are covalently fastened with the central phenylene ring by nitrogen bridges, was synthesized. The two pyrrole units embedded in BDPT were constructed by using one‐pot palladium‐catalyzed amination. The coplanar stannylated Sn‐BDPT building block was copolymerized with electron‐deficient thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione ( TPD ), benzothiadiazole ( BT ), and dithienyl‐diketopyrrolopyrrole ( DPP ) acceptors by Stille polymerization. The bridging nitrogen atoms make the BDPT motif highly electron‐abundant and structurally coplanar, which allows for tailoring the optical and electronic properties of the resultant polymers. Strong photoinduced charge‐transfer with significant band‐broadening in the solid state and relatively higher oxidation potential are characteristic of the BDPT‐based polymers. Poly(benzodipyrrolothiophene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) ( PBDPTBT ) achieved the highest field‐effect hole mobility of up to 0.02 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The photovoltaic device using the PBDPTBT /PC₇₁BM blend (1:3, w/w) exhibited a V_oc of 0.6 V, a J_sc of 10.34 mA cm^?2, and a FF of 50 %, leading to a decent PCE of 3.08 %. Encouragingly, the device incorporating poly(benzodipyrrolothiophene‐alt‐thienopyrrolodione) ( PBDPTTPD )/PC₇₁BM (1:3, w/w) composite delivered a highest PCE of 3.72 %. The enhanced performance arises from the lower‐lying HOMO value of PBDPTTPD to yield a higher V_oc of 0.72 V.