A low-bandgap alternating copolymer containing the dimethylbenzimidazole moiety

Abstract

A new acceptor unit containing dimethyl-2H-benzimidazole was synthesized and utilized for the synthesis of a conjugated polymer containing electron donor-acceptor pairs for OPV devices. The dimethyl-2H-benzimidazole unit was designed to act as a substitute for the BT unit of PCDTBT. This novel dimethyl-2H-benzimidazole unit has two methyl groups which can supply higher solubility than those of the BT series. A thin film of PCDTMBI, containing the dimethyl-2H-benzimidazole unit, shows two broad absorption bands with maxima at 400 and 636 nm and an absorption onset of 756 nm, corresponding to a band gap of 1.64 eV. The oxidation onset of PCDTMBI was estimated to be 0.67 V, which corresponds to a HOMO energy level of -5.47 eV. The LUMO energy level of the polymer was thus determined to be -3.82 eV. A device with a PCDTMBI:PC(71)BM blend had a V(OC) value of 0.65 V, a J(SC) value of 10.0 mA cm(-2), and a FF of 0.48, leading to an efficiency of 3.12%. The enhanced efficiency of PCDTMBI was caused by the higher IPCE value between 400 and 700 nm and high mobility (2.2 x 10(-3) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)).