EDOT Based Terpolymers: Facile Synthesis via Direct C‐H Arylation and Barrier Layer in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

We report the synthesis and characterization of three 3,4‐ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) based terpolymers. The polymers were synthesized in excellent yield via direct C−H arylation reaction between EDOT, 9,9‐di‐(2’‐ethylhexyl)‐2,7‐dibromofluorene and 1,3‐dibromo‐7‐tert‐butylpyrene. The solubility of these terpolymers in common organic solvents has been facilitated by the presence of alkyl side chains. The synthesized polymers have been characterized through gel permeation chromatography, 1H‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H‐NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The polymers show optical band gaps in the range of 2.06 ‐ 2.17 eV and HOMO levels of −4.71 eV to −4.70 eV relative to vacuum as determined by UV visible and Cyclic Voltammetry respectively. Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using selected terpolymer (TP‐1) as a barrier layer have been fabricated and enhancement in photovoltaic properties was evaluated.

Influence of Limonene from Orange Peel in Poly (Ethylene Oxide) PEO/I−/I3− Based Nanocrystalline Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell

“…The polymer electrolyte offers high mechanical stability and flexibility to the DSSC while still presenting opportunities to elevate their mediocre ionic conductivity via careful incorporation of additives in the polymer host. Several attempts to improve the marginal ionic conductivity property related to the high degree of polymer crystallinity include the doping of PEO with inorganic/organic fillers, plasticizers, and/or blending PEO with a new polymer [17–21] . For example, addition of filler TiO 2 particles to PEO/Li/I 2 electrolyte in order to facilitate lower polymer crystallization yielded a conversion efficiency of 4.2 % [22] .…”