P and n dopable semi-interpenetrating polymer networks

Abstract

Electrochemical oxidation of thin films of 9-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole (OEPC) oligomer deposited on an electrode leads to the formation of an in-situ cross-linked structure with biscarbazyl redox sites due to the anodic coupling of pendant carbazole units. Electrochemical, optical, and thermal characterizations confirm the formation of a conducting network containing electroactive biscarbazolyl units. When the electrochemical cross-linking takes place in a starting thin film containing a mixture of OEPC and a perylene bisimide polymer [poly(Pery-EO3)], a semi-interpenetrating polymer network is formed which possesses both electron donor and electron acceptor properties. Indeed, the electrochemical behavior of the semi-interpenetrating polymers network (IPN) is characterized by two reversible oxidations and two reversible reduction waves corresponding to the biscarbazolyl and perylene redox moities, respectively. The energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital E HOMO and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital E LUMO of each donor and acceptor in the semi-IPN have been evaluated and indicate a possible electron transfer from biscarbazole to perylene, which could be taken advantage of in the field of solar cells application.