Design of ultra-high luminescent polymers for organic photovoltaic cells with low energy loss

Here, new polymers named PBTT-Cn (n = 3, 4, or 5) have been designed based on carboxylate-functionalized thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units. The electroluminescence external quantum efficiencies (EQE(EL)) of pristine PBTT-C4 and C5 films are over 1 x 10(-2), which are among the highest results for OPV materials. Through combination with BTP-eC9, the PBTT-C4-based film showed a high EQE(EL) of 6 x 10(-4) and the Vnon-radloss is 0.19 eV. As a result, a high open-circuit voltage of 0.89 V and a satisfactory PCE of 15% were recorded in the PBTT-C4-based OPV cells.

Automated summary

Newly designed polymers PBTT-Cn based on carboxylate-functionalized thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units showed excellent electroluminescence external quantum efficiencies, with PBTT-C4 and C5 films having EQE(EL) over 1 x 10(-2). PBTT-C4 exhibited high EQE(EL), Vnon-radloss, leading to a high open-circuit voltage and a satisfactory PCE in PBTT-C4-based OPV cells.