Polymethacrylate with semiconducting side chains (P1 ), synthesized by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiated free radical polymerization, was used as a donor material for polymer solar cells. P1  possesses not only the good film-forming ability of polymers, but also the high purity of small organic molecules, making it a promising donor material for polymer solar cells. For larger devices (0.12 cm2), PCEs of M1  and P1  based solar cells decreased to 0.57% and 1.22%, respectively. The above results demonstrate that that P1  is superior to M1  in photovoltaic performances.  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that clean free radical polymerization can be used to prepare high molecular weight polymers for photovoltaic applications.

Synthesis of polymer donor materials for high performance polymer solar cells by free radical polymerization

245th National Meeting (2013)

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