Collaborative Research: Using Conjugated Polymer Brushes to Control Interfacial Properties and Morphology of Polymer Solar Cells

在本项目中，北卡罗来纳州查佩尔山大学的Wei You和格鲁吉亚大学的Jason Locklin将探索噻吩可控表面引发聚合的化学方法，以解决有机光伏电池中聚苯乙烯磺酸盐-聚（2，4-乙撑二氧噻吩）/铟锡氧化物层的替代问题。 该方法是研究Kumada型耦合聚合的噻吩在溶液中，从表面的机制，以揭示适当的条件下控制生长的聚噻吩刷从表面，延长这种化学噻吩并噻唑单体，然后探测这些活性层的界面性质和形貌的电极上使用各种薄膜表征技术和设备架构。 作为界面层的共轭聚合物刷可以提供具有均匀厚度的均匀膜;电极和活性层之间的改善的接触性质;以及降低的电荷注入势垒。 更广泛的影响包括通过合作对本科生和研究生研究人员进行跨学科培训，将这些研究概念融入有机电子和软材料课程，并参与面向代表性不足的少数民族、高中生和普通公众的外联活动。这项工作将增强我们对合成导电聚合物薄膜及其光化学行为的基本理解。 最终，这些工作可能会导致有机电子材料，低成本太阳能电池，发光显示器以及化学和生物传感器的发展。

In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Wei You of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Jason Locklin of University of Georgia will explore chemistry for the controlled surface-initiated polymerization of thiophene in order to solve the problem of replacing polystyrene sulfonate - poly(2,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) / indium-tin-oxide layers in organic photovoltaic cells. The approach is to study the mechanism of Kumada-type coupling polymerizations of thiophene in solution and from surfaces in order to uncover the proper conditions for controlled growth of polythiophene brushes from surfaces, to extend this chemistry to thienothiazole monomers, and then to probe the interfacial properties and morphologies of these active layers on electrodes using a variety of thin film characterization techniques and device architectures. Conjugated polymer brushes as the interfacial layer may offer a homogeneous film with uniform thickness; improved contact properties between the electrode and the active layer; and reduced barriers to charge injection. The broader impacts involve interdisciplinary training of undergraduate and graduate student researchers via the collaboration, integrating these research concepts into courses on organic electronics and soft materials, and participating in outreach activities to underrepresented minorities, high school students, and the general public.This work will enhance our fundamental understanding about synthesizing thin films of conducting polymers and their photochemical behavior. Ultimately, such work could lead to the development of organic electronic materials, low cost solar cells, light emitting displays, and chemical and biological sensors.