Synthesis, Characterization and Performance of P3HT-Azide-PCBM Microgel

Spherical Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-azide-[6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT-azide-PCBM) microgel was synthesized by introducing an azide cross-linkable group into the conjugated polymer. Its UV-vis spectrum shifts blue as a result of the systematic disruption of planarity along the P3HT backbone and a reduction in long range conjugation. And the corresponding fluorescence spectrum also indicates that a strong intra-molecular photo-induced electron transfer is originated from the covalent linkage of PCBM moiety to the P3HT backbone via the hexyl bridge upon photoexcitation. Combined Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS) measurements prove that the resultant P3HT-azide-PCBM copolymer is a uniform spherical microgel with a hydrodynamic radius of 130 nm at room temperature. The spherical P3HT-azide-PCBM microgel can be used as electron donor or compatibilizer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) devices, but its introduction reduces the photovoltaic performance compared with the blend of P3HT/PCBM, because the hole mobility in the crosslinked polythiophene backbones is largely decreased.