Molecular Design and Device Application of Radical Polymers for Improved Charge Extraction in Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Abstract
Radical polymers (i.e., macromolecules composed of non-conjugated backbone architectures and with stable radical sites present on the pendant groups of these backbones) are emerging as promising materials for organic electronic applications. While these materials have been used in a limited number of electrolyte-supported energy conversion and storage applications, the work presented within summarizes the first systematic findings of structure-property-performance relationships with respect to the solid-state electrical conductivity of radical polymers. In particular, we established the ready, scalable, and controlled synthesis of open-shell macromolecular homopolymers and block polymers. Furthermore, the solid-state electrical conductivity of a model radical polymer was determined to on the same order of magnitude as common pristine (i.e., not doped) conjugated polymers. Therefore, these radical polymers have proven to be: (1) synthetically-simple, (2) environmentally-robust, and (3) relatively high-performing with respect to many oft-used conjugated polymers. As such, this program has advanced the state-of-the-art with respect to novel polymer electronics and promoted the career of an early-stage investigator with a research portfolio centered on the needs of the DoD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 29, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA623539
Entities
People
- Bryan W Boudouris
Organizations
- Purdue University