Conjugated polymers based on new thienylene - PPV derivatives for solar cell applications

Abstract

Two pi-conjugated monomers based on bis-(1-cyano-2-thienyl-vinylene)phenylene derivatives were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation. Both monomers are found to form electroactive polymers upon electrochemical oxidation. The withdrawing effect due to the cyano-substituent allows for the reversible n-doping of the polymer. Thus, the band gap E-g was measured using electrochemical techniques and compared with that obtained by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. Based on the measured band gap of 1.87 and 1.58 eV, these polymers appear to be interesting candidates for solar-cell applications. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.