Synthesis and applications of a novel supramolecular polymer network with multiple H-bonded melamine pendants and uracil crosslinkers

Abstract

A conjugated main-chain copolymer (PBT) consisting of bithiazole, dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrroles (DTP), and pendent melamine units was synthesized by Stille polymerization, which can be hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) with proper molar amounts of bi-functional π-conjugated crosslinker F (i.e., two uracil motifs covalently attached to a fluorene core through triple bonds symmetrically) to develop a novel supramolecular polymer network (PBT/F). The effects of multiple H-bonds on light harvesting capabilities, HOMO levels, and photovoltaic properties of polymer PBT and H-bonded polymer network PBT/F are investigated. The formation of supramolecular polymer network (PBT/F) between PBT and F was confirmed by FTIR and XRD measurements. Because of the stronger light absorption, lower HOMO level, and higher crystallinity of H-bonded polymer network PBT/F, the solar cell device containing PBT/F showed better photovoltaic properties than that containing polymer PBT. The preliminary results show that the solar cell device containing 1:1 weight ratio of PBT/F and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) offers the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 0.86% with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 4.97 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.55 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 31.5%. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012