Two new D-A conjugated polymers P(PTQD-Th) and P(PTQD-2Th) with same 9-(2-octyldodecyl)-8H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]bisthieno[2,3-f:3′,2′-h]quinoxaline-8,10(9H)-dione acceptor and different donor units for BHJ polymer solar cells application

We report the synthesis, characterization and photovoltaic properties of bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells of new donor-acceptor conjugated copolymers P(PTQD-Th) and P(PTQD-2Th) that incorporate same strong 9-(2-octyldodecyl)-8H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]bisthieno[2,3-f:3′,2′-h]quinoxaline-8,10(9H)-dione as strong acceptor and different weak thiophene (Th) and bi-thiophene (2Th) as donors, respectively. Both the copolymers showed suitable unoccupied lowest molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, compatible with the LUMO of PC₇₁BM for efficient electron transfer from copolymer to PC₇₁BM in the blended copolymer: PC₇₁BM thin films. Moreover the deeper highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels of both copolymers ensures the high open circuit voltage (V_oc) of the BHJ polymer solar cells. The optimized P(PTQD-Th):PC₇₁BM and P(PTQD-2Th):PC₇₁BM with weight ratio of 1:2 processed with chloroform solvent showed PCE of 3.65% and 3.96%, respectively. The higher value of J_sc for the device processed with P(PTQD-2Th):PC₇₁BM as compared to that for P(PTQD-Th):PC₇₁BM, attributed to narrower optical bandgap and broader absorption profile for P(PTQD-2Th) as compared to P(PTQD-Th). The PCE values of polymer solar cells were further improved (5.54% and 5.67% for P(PTQD-Th):PC₇₁BM and P(PTQD-2Th):PC₇₁BM, respectively) when small amounts of solvent additive, i.e. 1,8-diiodoctane (DIO) were used for the processing of active layers. The improved PCE has been attributed to both the enhanced values of short circuit current (J_sc) and fill factor (FF) due to the better nanomorphology and charge transport, induced by the high boiling point of solvent additive.