Synthesis of a Novel Low‐Bandgap Polymer Based on a Ladder‐Type Heptacyclic Arene Consisting of Outer Thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene Units for Efficient Photovoltaic Application

A novel conjugated polymer PIDTT‐quinoxaline (Qx) based on the coplanar thieno3,2‐b]thiophene‐phenylene‐thieno3,2‐b]thiophene structure is synthesized and evaluated as an electron‐donor material for bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs). The absorption spectra, electrochemical, charge transport, and film morphology properties as well as theoretical modeling of PIDTT‐Qx are investigated to understand its intrinsic structure–property relationship. As expected, this polymer with an extended π‐conjugated backbone exhibits a narrow‐bandgap and board absorption spectrum for enhanced light harvesting. BHJ PSCs (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:PC₇₁BM/interlayer/Al) afford a maximum power conversion efficiency of 5.05% with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.84 V, a short‐circuit current density of 11.26 mA cm⁻², and a fill factor of 53.4%. These results demonstrate the potential of PIDTT‐Qx as an efficient electron‐donor material for BHJ PSCs.