The carrier collection efficiency (ηc) and energy conversion efficiency (ηe) of polymer photovoltaic cells were improved by blending of the semiconducting polymer with C60 or its functionalized derivatives. Composite films of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) and fullerenes exhibit ηc of about 29 percent of electrons per photon and ηe of about 2.9 percent, efficiencies that are better by more than two orders of magnitude than those that have been achieved with devices made with pure MEH-PPV. The efficient charge separation results from photoinduced electron transfer from the MEH-PPV (as donor) to C60 (as acceptor); the high collection efficiency results from a bicontinuous network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions.

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Polymer photovoltaic cells : enhanced efficiencies via a network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions

Fossil fuel alternatives, such as solar energy, are moving to the forefront in a variety of research fields. Polymer-based organic photovoltaic systems hold the promise for a cost-effective, lightweight solar energy conversion platform, which could benefit from simple solution processing of the active layer. The function of such excitonic solar cells is based on photoinduced electron transfer from a donor to an acceptor. Fullerenes have become the ubiquitous acceptors because of their high electron affinity and ability to transport charge effectively. The most effective solar cells have been made from bicontinuous polymer–fullerene composites, or so-called bulk heterojunctions. The best solar cells currently achieve an efficiency of about 5 %, thus significant advances in the fundamental understanding of the complex interplay between the active layer morphology and electronic properties are required if this technology is to find viable application.

Polymer–Fullerene Composite Solar Cells

This Review summarizes recent progress in the development of polymer solar cells. It covers the scientific origins and basic properties of polymer solar cell technology, material requirements and device operation mechanisms, while also providing a synopsis of major achievements in the field over the past few years. Potential future developments and the applications of this technology are also briefly discussed.

Polymer solar cells

-phenylenevinylene)s L4. Fluorene-Based Conjugated Polymers L4.1. Fluorene-Based Copolymers ContainingElectron-Rich MoietiesM4.2. Fluorene-Based Copolymers ContainingElectron-Deﬁcient MoietiesN4.3. Fluorene-Based Copolymers ContainingPhosphorescent ComplexesQ5. Carbazole-Based Conjugated Polymers R5.1. Poly(2,7-carbazole)-Based Polymers R5.2. Indolo[3,2-

https://ir.nctu.edu.tw:443/bitstream/11536/6508/1/000271856900020.pdf

Synthesis of Conjugated Polymers for Organic Solar Cell Applications

Fabrication and processing of polymer solar cells: A review of printing and coating techniques

We describe the synthesis and complete characterization of soluble derivatives of C-60 for applications to physics and biology. The goal of the strategy was to have a ''modular'' approach in order to be able to easily vary a functional group attached indirectly to the cluster. The functionality could be hydrophilic (e.g., histamide) or hydrophobic (e.g., cholestanoxy). The former was prepared for biological studies and the latter for photophysical studies toward improvement of photoinduced electron transfer efficiencies in the fabrication of photodetectors and photodiodes. An important intermediate, a carboxylic acid, was found to be recalcitrant to characterization by the usual mass spectroscopic and elemental analysis techniques. This problem was solved by the use of MALDIMS. The carboxylic acid was easily converted to the key intermediate acid chloride, which in turn was convertible to a large variety of derivatives. Both isomeric forms ([5,6], fulleroid and [6,6], methanofullerene) of the C-61 clusters were prepared. The fulleroid formation could have given rise to a 50:50 mixture of phenyl-over-former pentagon phenyl-over-former hexagon isomers but, remarkably, afforded a 95:5 mixture of these isomers, respectively. The fulleroid and methano-fullerene gave different cyclic voltammograms, with the former being reduced at 34 mV more positive potential than the latter.

Preparation and Characterization of Fulleroid and Methanofullerene Derivatives

The heterofullerene ion C59N+ is formed efficiently in the gas phase during fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy of a cluster-opened N-MEM (N-methoxyethoxy methyl) ketolactam. This transformation is shown to occur also in solution in the presence of strong acid, affording biazafullerenyl (C59N)2 in good yield. It is proposed that the azafullerene dimer is formed upon in situ reduction of the highly reactive azafulleronium ion. The isolation and characterization of biazafullerenyl opens a viable route for the preparation of other heterofullerenes in solution.

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Isolation of the heterofullerene C59N as its dimer (C59N)2

In this communication, we report the controlled-addition of an electron-withdrawing substituent, cyanide anion, and the quenching of the corresponding intermediate C{sub 60}(CN){sup -} anion with different electrophiles. By producing a cyanodihydrofullerene anion and quenching with various electrophiles, we are able to prepare, in a two-step process, C{sub 60}-based electron acceptors with controlled redox potentials. First, the inclusion of one cyano group in the dihydrofullerenes increases the electron affinity of the dihydrofullerene such that compound 2 is very nearly as good an electron acceptor as C{sub 60} itself. In addition, we may `fine-tune` the electron-accepting ability of the cyanodihydrofullerenes by the judicious selection of an electrophile; we are able to vary the first reduction of the cyanodihydrofullerene from ca. 30 mV more negative than C{sub 60} to an exceptional 120 mV more positive than C{sub 60}. 15 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

Brian Knight

Papers

Preparation and Characterization of Fulleroid and Methanofullerene Derivatives

Isolation of the heterofullerene C59N as its dimer (C59N)2

Cyanodihydrofullerenes and Dicyanodihydrofullerene: The First Polar Solid Based on C60

Linear free energy relation of methanofullerene C61-substituents with cyclic voltammetry: Strong electron withdrawal anomaly

Electrochemical Evidence for Through-Space Orbital Interactions in Spiromethanofullerenes