Syntheses, Solid State Assemblies and Photovoltaic Effects of Conjugated Diblock Copolymers

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The central theme of the proposed research is to explore conjugated diblock copolymersfor solar energy harvesting and to gain a fundamental understanding of the correlation betweenmolecular/material structures and photovoltaic (PV) functions. New modular approaches areproposed to the syntheses of three representative new diblock copolymer systems, rod-rod, rodsemi-rod and rod-coil diblock copolymers. Plans are outlined to elucidate and control the selfassembly and phase behaviors of the resulting materials. The dynamics of charge separation andcharge transport will be investigated to gain insight into the electronic processes in thesematerials. Rational approach to modify the ITO surface is proposed in order to direct theinterfacial assembly of these materials and optimize the charge injection. The resulting materialswill be used to prepare prototype solar cells in a well defined cell platform for detailedcharacterization. The feedback from these studies will reveal the limiting factors in photovoltaicmaterials and guide the development of new materials. These fundamental studies willeventually lead to breakthrough in developing novel and cost-effective OPV materials enablinghigh solar energy conversion efficiency as well as future commercial vitality. The intellectual merit of the proposed activity: This proposed research in synthesesand characterization of novel functional diblock copolymers will have a fundamental impact onour understanding in charge separation and transport in organic materials. The relationshipbetween molecular structure and solid assembly, further between solid structure/physicalproperties is fundamentally important to polymer science and material science. A well-definedmolecular system will lead to the formation of defined solid structures, which is invaluable to thestudies in organic light harvesting materials. The proposed work is an important example of newfunctions that are introduced into diblock copolymer architectures. The modular syntheticapproaches proposed here will add new knowledge to the synthetic arsenal. The broader impacts of the proposed activity: Our nation is currently facing an urgentneed for renewable energy source. Solar energy is the largest renewable energy source. Plasticsolar cells offer potentially low costs in materials and processing, the possibility for large areaand flexible structures, and the ease of the structural modification for the fine-tuning of bandgaps. The proposed research is highly beneficial towards our economy and society. Theproposed efforts will inherently provide ample opportunities for the interdisciplinary training ofgraduate and undergraduate students at the frontiers of organic/polymer/material chemistry. Weplan to integrate the proposed research activities with a broad-ranging educational programaimed at college undergraduate and graduate students. The importance of early involvement ofundergraduate students in research activities is widely acknowledged. In this program, we willput a great effort in recruiting more undergraduate students. This project is ideal for traininggraduate students and enables them to perform original and independent research. From thesehighly intellectual processes, they will develop creative thinking and skills and become maturescientists.