Conducting polymer anodes for photovoltaic cells based on polyethylendioxythiophene (PEDOT) and its derivatives (see Figure) are reported. The results presented here show that it is feasible to use processable conducting (macro)molecular materials instead of indium tin oxide (ITO) for fabricating polymer photovoltaic cells, which could lead to lower cost and more mechanically flexible devices.

We present the synthesis and characterization of soluble, high molecular weight phenylsubstituted poly(p-phenylenevinylenes). The studied polymers are poly(2-(2′,5′-bis(2′′-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BEHP-PPV) and copolymers of BEHP-PPV and poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV). Their photoluminescence and electroluminescence have been examined as well as their stability to air and light. The polymers emitted green and yellow light. Stability measurements showed increased stability compared to some previously known substituted PPVs.

We present the synthesis and characterization of poly(2-(2′′,5′-bis(2′′-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BEHP-PPV) polymerized at different temperatures. The photoluminescence efficiencies in the solid state of BEHP-PPV obtained at 144 and 0 °C are 28% and 60%, respectively. 1 H NMR measurements showed a lower concentration of structural defects for BEHP-PPV obtained at lower temperatures, which can explain the increased photoluminescence efficiencies for these polymers. Polymerization temperatures below 0 °C decrease the molecular weight without changing the photoluminescence efficiency to any large extent. The electroluminescence efficiencies follow the trend in the photoluminescence efficiencies.