Enhanced efficiency of single and tandem organic solar cells incorporating a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based low-bandgap polymer by utilizing combined ZnO/polyelectrolyte electron-transport layers

Materials for Interfaces in Organic Solar Cells and Photodetectors

Interface engineering is very important to the high performance of organic optoelectronic devices that are commonly composed of multilayer thin solid films. Interfacial materials are particularly crucial for interface engineering, and a variety of materials have been employed at the interface to accomplish various different functions. This Review summarizes various materials for the interfaces and some of the latest progress in organic solar cells (OSCs) and organic photodetectors (OPDs).

Advances in Solution-Processed Multijunction Organic Solar Cells

The efficiency of organic solar cells can benefit from multijunction device architectures, in which energy losses are substantially reduced. Herein, recent developments in the field of solution-processed multijunction organic solar cells are described. Recently, various strategies have been investigated and implemented to improve the performance of these devices. Next to developing new materials and processing methods for the photoactive and interconnecting layers, specific layers or stacks are designed to increase light absorption and improve the photocurrent by utilizing optical interference effects. These activities have resulted in power conversion efficiencies that approach those of modern thin film photovoltaic technologies. Multijunction cells require more elaborate and intricate characterization procedures to establish their efficiency correctly and a critical view on the results and new insights in this matter are discussed. Application of multijunction cells in photoelectrochemical water splitting and upscaling toward a commercial technology is briefly addressed.

The role of cation and anion dopant incorporated into a ZnO electron transporting layer for polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells

Doping is a widely-implemented strategy for enhancing the inherent electronic properties of charge transport layers in photovoltaic devices. A facile solution-processed zinc oxide (ZnO) and various cation and anion-doped ZnO layers were synthesized via the sol–gel method and employed as electron transport layers (ETLs) for inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs). The results indicated that all PSCs with doped ZnO ETLs exhibited better photovoltaic performance compared with the PSCs with a pristine ZnO ETL. By exploring the role of various anion and cation dopants (three compounds with the same Al³⁺ cation: Al(acac)₃, Al(NO₃)₃, AlCl₃ and three compounds with the same Cl⁻ anion: NH₄Cl, MgCl₂, AlCl₃), we found that the work function changed to favor electronic extraction only when the Cl anion was involved. In addition, the conductivity of ZnO was enhanced more with the Al³⁺ cation. Therefore, in inverted solar cells, doping with Al³⁺ and Cl⁻ delivered the best power conversion efficiency (PCE). The maximum PCE of 10.38% was achieved from the device with ZnO doped with Al⁺ and Cl⁻.

The role of cation and anion dopant incorporated into a ZnO layer was systematically investigated. We found that the work function was changed to favor electronic extraction only with Cl anion, while the conductivity change depended on the cation.

Surfactant-Enriched ZnO Surface via Sol-Gel Process for the Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cell

In this study, we demonstrate that the top surface is enriched by surfactants, tetraoctylammonium bromide, and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB), in the sol-gel ZnO, being evidenced by the Br depth profile of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis data. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed the formation of Zn-Br bonding due to the oxygen defects occupied by Br at the surfactant-enriched ZnO surface. The surfactant-enriched ZnO surface possessed a smoother surface and more hydrophobicity than the pristine ZnO from the experimental results of atomic force microscopy and contact angle, respectively. On the basis of ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy data, the work function slightly reduced due to the dipole built-up by the electrostatic force between Br^- and N⁺ to enhance the electron extraction ability. The improved properties benefited the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) by spin-coating the active layer on the surfactant-enriched ZnO surface. The inverted PSCs with the surfactant-enriched ZnO surface showed the highest PCE of 9.55% for the CPB case, in comparison with the pristine ZnO surface (8.08% PCE). This study discloses that turning the ZnO surface is easily achieved by the addition of surfactants with different molecular structures in the sol-gel ZnO for high performance polymer solar cells.

Doping ZnO Electron Transport Layers with MoS2 Nanosheets Enhances the Efficiency of Polymer Solar Cells

In this study, we incorporated molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets into sol-gel processing of zinc oxide (ZnO) to form ZnO:MoS₂ composites for use as electron transport layers (ETLs) in inverted polymer solar cells featuring a binary bulk heterojunction active layer. We could effectively tune the energy band of the ZnO:MoS₂ composite film from 4.45 to 4.22 eV by varying the content of MoS₂ up to 0.5 wt %, such that the composite was suitable for use in bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices based on poly[bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thien-2-yl)benzodithiophene- alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothienothiophene)-2-carboxylate-2,6-diyl] (PTB7-TH)/phenyl-C₇₁-butryric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM). In particular, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PTB7-TH/PC₇₁BM (1:1.5, w/w) device incorporating the ZnO:MoS₂ (0.5 wt %) composite layer as the ETL was 10.1%, up from 8.8% for the corresponding device featuring ZnO alone as the ETL, a relative increase of 15%. Incorporating a small amount of MoS₂ nanosheets into the ETL altered the morphology of the ETL and resulted in enhanced current densities, fill factors, and PCEs for the devices. We used ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, synchrotron grazing incidence wide-/small-angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to characterize the energy band structures, internal structures, surface roughness, and morphologies, respectively, of the ZnO:MoS₂ composite films.

Recent Advances in Wide-Bandgap Photovoltaic Polymers

The past decade has witnessed significant advances in the field of organic solar cells (OSCs). Ongoing improvements in the power conversion efficiency of OSCs have been achieved, which were mainly attributed to the design and synthesis of novel conjugated polymers with different architectures and functional moieties. Among various conjugated polymers, the development of wide-bandgap (WBG) polymers has received less attention than that of low-bandgap and medium-bandgap polymers. Here, we briefly summarize recent advances in WBG polymers and their applications in organic photovoltaic (PV) devices, such as tandem, ternary, and non-fullerene solar cells. Addtionally, we also dissuss the application of high open-circuit voltage tandem solar cells in PV-driven electrochemical water dissociation. We mainly focus on the molecular design strategies, the structure-property correlations, and the photovoltaic performance of these WBG polymers. Finally, we extract empirical regularities and provide invigorating perspectives on the future development of WBG photovoltaic materials.

Achieving 12.8% Efficiency by Simultaneously Improving Open-Circuit Voltage and Short-Circuit Current Density in Tandem Organic Solar Cells

Tandem organic solar cells (TOSCs), which integrate multiple organic photovoltaic layers with complementary absorption in series, have been proved to be a strong contender in organic photovoltaic depending on their advantages in harvesting a greater part of the solar spectrum and more efficient photon utilization than traditional single-junction organic solar cells. However, simultaneously improving open circuit voltage (V_oc ) and short current density (J_sc ) is a still particularly tricky issue for highly efficient TOSCs. In this work, by employing the low-bandgap nonfullerene acceptor, IEICO, into the rear cell to extend absorption, and meanwhile introducing PBDD4T-2F into the front cell for improving V_oc , an impressive efficiency of 12.8% has been achieved in well-designed TOSC. This result is also one of the highest efficiencies reported in state-of-the-art organic solar cells.

DBP and C70 based inverted tandem solar cells using a simple interconnecting layer

Inverted tandem structure cells with a simple interconnecting layer based on tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP) and fullerene-70 (C₇₀) were studied in this work.

Colloidal metal oxide nanocrystals as charge transporting layers for solution-processed light-emitting diodes and solar cells

This review bridges the chemistry of colloidal oxide nanocrystals and their application as charge transporting interlayers in solution-processed optoelectronics.

Interfacial Materials for Organic Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Organic solar cells (OSCs) have shown great promise as low-cost photovoltaic devices for solar energy conversion over the past decade. Interfacial engineering provides a powerful strategy to enhance efficiency and stability of OSCs. With the rapid advances of interface layer materials and active layer materials, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of both single-junction and tandem OSCs have exceeded a landmark value of 10%. This review summarizes the latest advances in interfacial layers for single-junction and tandem OSCs. Electron or hole transporting materials, including metal oxides, polymers/small-molecules, metals and metal salts/complexes, carbon-based materials, organic-inorganic hybrids/composites, and other emerging materials, are systemically presented as cathode and anode interface layers for high performance OSCs. Meanwhile, incorporating these electron-transporting and hole-transporting layer materials as building blocks, a variety of interconnecting layers for conventional or inverted tandem OSCs are comprehensively discussed, along with their functions to bridge the difference between adjacent subcells. By analyzing the structure-property relationships of various interfacial materials, the important design rules for such materials towards high efficiency and stable OSCs are highlighted. Finally, we present a brief summary as well as some perspectives to help researchers understand the current challenges and opportunities in this emerging area of research.

Evaluation of Small Molecules as Front Cell Donor Materials for High-Efficiency Tandem Solar Cells

Three small molecules as front cell donors for tandem cells are thoroughly evaluated and a high power conversion efficiency of 11.47% is achieved, which demonstrates that the oligomer-like small molecules offer a good choice for high-performance tandem solar cells.

Long-Term Stable Recombination Layer for Tandem Polymer Solar Cells Using Self-Doped Conducting Polymers

Recently, the most efficient tandem polymer solar cells (PSCs) have used poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (

PEDOT

PSS) as a p-type component of recombination layer (RL). However, its undesirable acidic nature, originating from insulating PSS, of

PEDOT

PSS drastically reduces the lifetime of PSCs. Here, we demonstrate the efficient and stable tandem PSCs by introducing acid-free self-doped conducting polymer (SCP), combined with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), as RL for

PEDOT

PSS-free tandem PSCs. Moreover, we introduce an innovative and versatile nanocomposite system containing photoactive and p-type conjugated polyelectrolyte (p-CPE) into the tandem fabrication of an ideal self-organized recombination layer. In our new RL, highly conductive SCP facilitates charge transport and recombination process, and p-CPE helps to achieve nearly loss-free charge collection by increasing effective work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) and SCP. Because of the synergistic effect of extremely low electrical resistance, ohmic contact, and pH neutrality, tandem devices with our novel RL performed well, exhibiting a high power conversion efficiency of 10.2% and a prolonged lifetime. These findings provide a new insight for strategic design of RLs using SCPs to achieve efficient and stable tandem PSCs and enable us to review and extend the usefulness of SCPs in various electronics research fields.

Probing Ternary Solvent Effect in High V(oc) Polymer Solar Cells Using Advanced AFM Techniques

This work describes a simple method to develop a high V(oc) low band gap PSCs. In addition, two new atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoscale characterization techniques to study the surface morphology and physical properties of the structured active layer are introduced. With the help of ternary solvent processing of the active layer and C60 buffer layer, a bulk heterojunction PSC with V(oc) more than 0.9 V and conversion efficiency 7.5% is developed. In order to understand the fundamental properties of the materials ruling the performance of the PSCs tested, AFM-based nanoscale characterization techniques including Pulsed-Force-Mode AFM (PFM-AFM) and Mode-Synthesizing AFM (MSAFM) are introduced. Interestingly, MSAFM exhibits high sensitivity for direct visualization of the donor-acceptor phases in the active layer of the PSCs. Finally, conductive-AFM (cAFM) studies reveal local variations in conductivity in the donor and acceptor phases as well as a significant increase in photocurrent in the PTB7:ICBA sample obtained with the ternary solvent processing.

Organic/Organic Cathode Bi-Interlayers Based on a Water-Soluble Nonconjugated Polymer and an Alcohol-Soluble Conjugated Polymer for High Efficiency Inverted Polymer Solar Cells

In this work, organic/organic cathode bi-interlayers based on a water-soluble nonconjugated polymer PDMC and an alcohol-soluble conjugated polymer PFN were introduced to modifythe ITO cathode for inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs). PDMC with ultrahigh molecular weight would facilitate to form strong adsorption on the ITO substrate, while PFN could provide both compatibly interfacial contacts with the bottom PDMC interlayer and the upper organic active layer. The PDMC/PFN cathode bi-interlayers could decrease work function of the ITO cathode to 3.8 eV, supplying the most efficient ohmic interfacial contacts for electron collection at the ITO cathode. With a PTB7:PC71BM blend as the active layer, inverted PSCs based on the PDMC/PFN cathode bi-interlayers showed the highest efficiency of 9.01% and the best air stability within 60 days if compared with devices based on a separate PDMC or PFN cathode interlayer. The results suggest that the PDMC/PFN cathode bi-interlayers would play an important role to achieve high efficiency and stable inverted PSCs.

Elucidating the Role of Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Interlayers for High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics

Despite the promising function of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) as an interfacial layer in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), the underlying mechanism of dipole orientation and the electrical characteristics of CPE interlayers remain unclear. Currently, the ionic functionality of CPEs (i.e., whether they are cationic or anionic) is believed to determine the interfacial dipole alignment and the resulting electron or hole extraction properties at the interface between an organic photoactive layer and a metal electrode. In this research, we find that in contrast to this common belief, the photovoltaic efficiency can be improved significantly by both cationic and anionic CPE layers regardless of the ion functionality of the CPE. This improvement occurs because the interfacial dipoles of cationic and anionic CPEs are realigned in the identical direction despite the different ionic functionality. The net dipole is determined not by the intrinsic molecular dipole of the CPE but by the ionic redistribution in the CPE layer and the resulting interfacial dipole at the intimate contact with adjacent layers. We also demonstrated that the energy level alignment and performance parameters of OPVs can be controlled systematically by the electrically poled CPE layers with the oriented interfacial dipoles; the distribution of positive and negative ions in the CPE layer was adjusted by applying an appropriate external electric field, and the energy alignment was reversible by changing the electric field direction. The anionic and cationic CPEs (PSBFP-Na and PAHFP-Br) based on the same π-conjugated backbone of fluorene-phenylene were each used as the electron extraction layer on a photoactive layer. Both anionic and cationic CPE interlayers improved the energy level alignment at the interface between the photoactive layer and the electrode and the resulting performance parameters, which thereby increased the power conversion efficiency to 8.3 %.

Molecular helices as electron acceptors in high-performance bulk heterojunction solar cells

Despite numerous organic semiconducting materials synthesized for organic photovoltaics in the past decade, fullerenes are widely used as electron acceptors in highly efficient bulk-heterojunction solar cells. None of the non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells have achieved efficiencies as high as fullerene-based solar cells. Design principles for fullerene-free acceptors remain unclear in the field. Here we report examples of helical molecular semiconductors as electron acceptors that are on par with fullerene derivatives in efficient solar cells. We achieved an 8.3% power conversion efficiency in a solar cell, which is a record high for non-fullerene bulk heterojunctions. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed both electron and hole transfer processes at the donor-acceptor interfaces. Atomic force microscopy reveals a mesh-like network of acceptors with pores that are tens of nanometres in diameter for efficient exciton separation and charge transport. This study describes a new motif for designing highly efficient acceptors for organic solar cells.

Finely Tuned Polymer Interlayers Enhance Solar Cell Efficiency

Three conjugated polymer zwitterions (CPZs), containing thiophene-, diketopyrrolopyrrole- (DPP), and naphthalene diimide (NDI) backbones, were synthesized with pendant zwitterions, specifically sulfobetaine groups. Diboronate-ester-functionalized bithiophene and benzothiadiazole monomers were copolymerized with zwitterion-substituted dibromothiophene, DPP, and NDI monomers by A2 + B2 Suzuki polymerization. The CPZs were incorporated into polymer solar cells (PSCs) as interlayers between the photoactive layer and Ag cathode. The thiophene-based CPZs gave power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of about 5%, while the narrow-energy-gap DPP- and NDI-based CPZs performed exceptionally well, giving PCEs of 9.49% and 10.19%, respectively. The interlayer thickness had only a minor impact on the device performance for the DPP- and NDI-CPZs, a finding attributed to their electron-transport properties. Ultraviolet photoelectron and reflectance spectroscopies, combined with external quantum efficiency measurements, provided structure-property relationships that lend insight into the function of CPZ interlayers in PSCs. NDI-based CPZ interlayers provide some of the best performing organic solar cells reported to date, and prove useful in conjunction with high-performing polymer-active layers and stable, high-work-function, metal cathodes.

Plasmonic Ag@oxide nanoprisms for enhanced performance of organic solar cells

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), light scattering, and lowering the series resistance of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) provide positive effect on the performance of photovoltaic device. However, the exciton recombination on the noble metal NPs accompanying above influences will deteriorate the performance of device. In this report, surface-modified Ag@oxide (TiO2 or SiO2 ) nanoprisms with 1-2 nm shell thickness are developed. The thin film composed of P3HT/Ag@oxides and P3HT:PCBM/Ag@oxides is investigated by absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and transient absorption spectroscopy. The results show a significant absorption, PL enhancement, and long-lived photogenerated polaron in the P3HT/Ag@TiO2 film, indicating the increase of photogenerated exciton population by LSPR of Ag nanoprisms. In the case of P3HT/Ag nanoprisms, partial PL quench and relatively short-lived photogenerated polaron are observed. That indicates that the oxides layer can effectively avoid the exciton recombination. When the Ag@oxide nanoprisms are introduced into the active layer of P3HT:PCBM photovoltaic devices, about 31% of power conversion efficiency enhancement is obtained relative to the reference cell. All these results indicate that Ag@oxides can enhance the performance of the cell, at the same time the ultrathin oxide shell prevents from the exciton recombination.

Polymer homo-tandem solar cells with best efficiency of 11.3%

Rational materials design and interface engineering are both essential to realize a high performance for tandem cells. Two identical bulk heterojunctions are connected in series using novel interconnection layers combining pH-neutral conjugated polyelectrolytes and a thin film of ZnO nanoparticles by a solution process. The best performing tandem cells achieve a power conversion efficiency of 11.3%, with 25% enhancement in efficiency compared with single cells, which arises primarily from the increased light absorption.

Simplified tandem polymer solar cells with an ideal self-organized recombination layer

A new tandem architecture for printable photovoltaics using a versatile organic nanocomposite containing photoactive and interfacial materials is demonstrated. The nanocomposite forms an ideal self-organized recombination layer via a spontaneous vertical phase separation, which yields a simplified tandem structure fabricated with only four component layers and a high tandem efficiency of 10.8%.

Highly efficient tandem polymer solar cells with a photovoltaic response in the visible light range

Highly efficient polymer solar cells with a tandem structure are fabricated by using two excellent photovoltaic polymers and a highly transparent intermediate recombination layer. Power conversion -efficiencies over 10% can be realized with a photovoltaic response within 800 nm.

Enhanced fill factor of tandem organic solar cells incorporating a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based low-bandgap polymer and optimized interlayer

We demonstrate that reproducible results can be obtained from tandem solar cells based on the wide-bandgap poly[N-9'-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4,7-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole] (PCDTBT) and the diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based narrow bandgap polymer (DT-PDPP2T-TT) with a decyltetradecyl (DT) and an electron-rich 2,5-di-2-thienylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene (2T-TT) group fabricated using an optimized interlayer (ZnO NPs/ph-n-PEDOT:PSS) [NPs: nanoparticles; ph-n: pH-neutral PEDOT: poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene); PSS: polystyrene sulfonate]. The tandem cells are fabricated by applying a simple process without thermal annealing. The ZnO NP interlayer operates well when the ZnO NPs are dispersed in 2-methoxyethanol, as no precipitation and chemical reactions occur. In addition to the ZnO NP film, we used neutral PEDOT:PSS as a second interlayer which is not affect to the sequential deposited bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layer of acidification. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a tandem device reaches 7.4 % (open-circuit voltage VOC =1.53 V, short-circuit current density JSC =7.3 mA cm(-2) , and fill factor FF=67 %). Furthermore, FF is increased to up to 71 % when another promising large bandgap (bandgap ∼1.94 eV) polymer (PBnDT-FTAZ) is used. The surface of each layer with nanoscale morphology (BHJ1/ZnO NPs film/ph-n-PEDOT:PSS/BHJ2) was examined by means of AFM analysis during sequential processing. The combination of these factors, efficient DPP-based narrow bandgap material and optimized interlayer, leads to the high FF (average approaches 70 %) and reproducibly operating tandem BHJ solar cells.

The structural evolution of an isoindigo-based non-fullerene acceptor for use in organic photovoltaics

The structural evolution of an isoindigo molecule acceptor.

Water/alcohol soluble conjugated polymers for the interface engineering of highly efficient polymer light-emitting diodes and polymer solar cells

This review provides a summary of the recent developments and applications of water/alcohol soluble conjugated polymers in highly efficient polymer light-emitting diodes and polymer solar cells.

Synthesis, characterization and device optimisation of new poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-alt-thieno[3,4-d]thiazole) derivatives for solar cell applications

New alternating copolymers based on benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]-dithiophene and thieno[3,4-d]thiazole derivatives have been synthesized and their optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties were studied.

An efficient triple-junction polymer solar cell having a power conversion efficiency exceeding 11%

Tandem solar cells have the potential to improve photon conversion efficiencies (PCEs) beyond the limits of single-junction devices. In this study, a triple-junction tandem design is demonstrated by employing three distinct organic donor materials having bandgap energies ranging from 1.4 to 1.9 eV. Through optical modeling, balanced photon absorption rates are achieved and, thereby, the photo-currents are matched among the three subcells. Accordingly, an efficient triple-junction tandem organic solar cell can exhibit a record-high PCE of 11.5%.

Small molecule-based tandem solar cells with solution-processed and vacuum-processed photoactive layers

A tandem solar cell device whose sub-cells are fabricated exclusively from small molecules (SMs) through both solution-processed and vacuum-processed deposition techniques is described. The front sub-cell's active layer consists of a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) DPP(TBFu)2:PC70BM device while the back cell has a typical bilayer structure employing a 2,4-bis[4-(N,N-diisobutylamino)-2,6-dihydroxyphenyl] squaraine (SQ) donor and a C60 acceptor.

[6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid 2-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)(methyl)amino)-ethyl ester as an acceptor and cathode interfacial material in polymer solar cells

An amine-based, alcohol-soluble fullerene [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid 2-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)(methyl)amino)-ethyl ester (PCBDAN) with 4-fold electron mobility of 6,6-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is applied successfully as an acceptor and cathode interfacial material in polymer solar cells ITO/P3HT:PCBDAN/MoO3/Ag, where indium tin oxide (ITO) alone is used as the cathode and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is used as a donor. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profile confirming a favorable vertical phase separation is formed where P3HT is rich at the air/active blend interface and PCBDAN is rich at the buried interface with ITO and, thus, reduces the work function of ITO for use as the cathode. A moderate power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.1% is achieved. The slightly low PCE could be due to unoptimized morphology and low structure ordering of P3HT in the blends. However, this result demonstrates that the amine-based fullerene could be used as the acceptor and cathode interfacial material, which eliminated the multilayer device fabrication process. Because PCBDAN has high electron mobility, it would have potential applications in nano-structured organic solar cells. In the near future, alcohol-processable, high-efficient organic/polymer solar cells can be anticipated.

The synthesis of 5-alkyl[3,4-c]thienopyrrole-4,6-dione-based polymers using a Pd-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H homopolymerization reaction

A simple, mild, atom economical homopolymerization method through Pd-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H coupling was developed for the preparation of a series of 5-alkyl[3,4-c]thienopyrrole-4,6-dione-based conjugated polymers.