Ultra low band gap alpha,beta-unsubstituted BODIPY-based copolymer synthesized by palladium catalyzed cross-coupling polymerization for near infrared organic photovoltaics

A new ultra low band gap (LBG) alpha,beta-unsubstituted BODIPY-based conjugated polymer has been synthesized by conventional cross coupling polymerization techniques (Stille cross coupling) for the first time. The polymer exhibits a panchromatic absorption spectrum ranging from 300 nm to 1100 nm and an optical band gap (E-g(opt)) of 1.15 eV, suitable for near infrared (NIR) organic photovoltaic applications as electron donor. Preliminary power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.1% in polymer : [6,6]-phenyl-C-71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) 1 : 3 weight ratio bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells has been achieved, demonstrating very interesting and promising photovoltaic characteristics, such as good fill factor (FF) and open circuit voltage (V-oc). These results showing that by the proper chemical design, new alpha,beta-unsubstituted BODIPY-based NIR copolymers can be developed in the future with suitable energy levels matching those of PC(7)1(B)M towards more efficient NIR organic photovoltaics (OPVs).