A regioregular polythiophene-fullerene for polymeric solar cells.

ABSTRACT In this article, we present the synthesis and characterization of a new thiophenic copolymer bearing the C₆₀ fullerene directly linked to the end of a hexamethylenic side chain. This copolymer was prepared with good yield using a simple and straightforward post-polymerization functionalization procedure applied on a soluble regioregular polymeric precursor obtained by regiospecific organometallic coupling. Copolymer structural and photophysical properties were investigated by gel permeation chromatography, thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), NMR, IR, UV-Vis, and atomic force spectroscopy. The double-cable copolymer possesses good solubility in common organic solvents, high filmability, thermal stability, and low segmental aggregation tendency. It was tested as a photoactive layer in a polymeric solar cell showing a power conversion efficiency under 100 mW cm⁻² AM 1.5 illumination higher than 4%, more than that of the reference cell made with the conventionally used P3HT/PCBM blend. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42121. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]