Diselenogermole as a novel donor monomer for low band gap polymers

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a new diseleno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]germole (DSG) monomer containing branched 2-ethylhexyl sidechains on the bridging germanium group. The utility of this new electron rich monomer is explored by co-polymerisation of a distannylated DSG monomer with N-octylthienopyrrolodione to afford a soluble low band gap polymer. The DSG containing polymer shows a broader and more red-shifted absorption spectrum compared its thiophene analogue. Polymer solar cells are fabricated from blends with PC₇₁BM exhibiting initial power conversion efficiencies of 5.2% in inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells.