Synthesis and polymerisation of novel methacrylates with carbazolyl and benzofuranyl pendant groups for photovoltaic applications

Article abstract of DOI:10.1080/15421400801904732

This article reports properties of photovoltaic devices containing new donor materials - copolymers referred as PCEMB, composed of 2-(carbazol-9-yl) ethyl methacrylate (CEM) and benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid 2-(2- methylacryloyloxy)ethyl ester (MB). Manufactured photovoltaic cells consisted of donor and acceptor (PBT or P3OT) layers sandwiched between ITO covered glass and evaporated aluminum electrode. Performance of the cell was optimized for a copolymer composed of 8% CEM and 92% MB. The efficiency, found equal c.a. =0,03%, was low comparing to other photovoltaic cells reported in the literature. However, following the observed tendencies, it can be supposed that there exists a large reserve for the enhancement of the open circuit voltage through further chemical modifications of the chromophore. In the case of the PDT containing cells, measured Uoc was substantially lower. This fact may be attributed to difference in carrier mobility between this polymer and PCEMB. Simultaneously, the larger sizes of the MB molecule may favor separation of the charges and leads to enhancement of the corresponding voltage.