Abstract
In this work three novel phthalate-based thermocleavable copolymers, PBTP-11, PBTDTP-11 and PFDTP-11 have been designed and synthesized. PBTP-11 and PBTDTP-11 were prepared by copolymerizing distannylated bithiophene without or with flanked thienyl groups as the electron-donor units with dibrominated secondary phthalate ester as the electron-acceptor units. PFDTP-11 was prepared by copolymerizing distannylated fluorene flanked by thienyl groups as the electron-donor moieties with dibrominated secondary phthalate ester as the electron-acceptor moieties. All polymers were prepared via the Stille polymerization. The impact of two different electron-donor units on the solubility, molecular weights, optical properties, thermal and structural properties of the resulting polymers were investigated. PFDTP-11 had the highest average molecular weight (Mn = 16,400 g mol−1). The polymers had Eg in the range of 2.11–2.58 eV. After thermal treatment, the Eg of the polymers were reduced by around 0.3–0.4 eV. This significant control over bandgap is promising and opens a gate towards commercializing these copolymers in energy harvesting devices such as solar cells. TGA data showed weight loss at around 300 °C, corresponding to the elimination of the secondary ester groups. After annealing, the soluble precursor polymers were transformed into active phthalic anhydride polymers and the resulting films were completely insoluble in all solvents, which shows good stability. Powder XRD studies showed that all polymers have an amorphous nature in the solid state, and therefore can be employed as electrolytes in energy devices.
Highlights
IntroductionThe most global energy consumption originates from fossil fuels [1]
Up to now, the most global energy consumption originates from fossil fuels [1]
The results indicate that when extracted in theunit hexane fraction, was extracted the tolueneitfraction and they unit as a donor in PBTP-11 is while alteredPBTDTP-11 into tetrathiophene unit ininPBTDTP-11, has a substantial bithiophene unit asM
Summary
The most global energy consumption originates from fossil fuels [1]. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as CO2 which has a harmful impact on the environment and causes air pollution, global warming and climate change [2]. This has prompted the researchers to find renewable energy sources. The first inorganic crystalline silicon solar cell with efficiency of 6% was reported in 1954 by Chapin and co-workers [7]. Single junction crystalline silicon solar cells dominate photovoltaic technology and have reached efficiencies up to 25% [8,9]. The manufacturing process of silicon-based solar cells requires high energy and high cost, and the cells are fragile and have poor performance in low light intensities
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