Dual electron donor/electron acceptor character of a conjugated polymer in efficient photovoltaic diodes

Journal article

The authors report efficient photovoltaic diodes which use poly((9,9-dioctylfluorene)-2,7-diyl-alt-[4,7-bis(3-hexylthien-5-yl)-2,1, 3-benzothiadiazole]- 2′, 2″ -diyl) (F8TBT) both as electron acceptor, in blends with poly(3-hexylthiophene), and as hole acceptor, in blends with (6,6)-phenyl C61 -butyric acid methyl ester. In both cases external quantum efficiencies of over 25% are achieved, with a power conversion efficiency of 1.8% under simulated sunlight for optimized F8TBT/poly(3- hexylthiophene) devices. The ambipolar nature of F8TBT is also demonstrated by the operation of light-emitting F8TBT transistors. The equivalent p - and n -type operation in this conjugated polymer represent an important extension of the range of useful n -type materials which may be developed. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Authors: McNeill, C; Abrusci, A; Zaumseil, J; Wilson, R; McKiernan, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
• Volume: 90
• Issue: 19
• Pages: 193506-193506
• Publication date: 2007-05-07
• DOI: 10.1063/1.2738197
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• Language: English