Synthesis and Characterization of New Conjugated Polymers for Application in Solar Cells

Plastic photovoltaic devices based on solution processed conjugated polymers have attracted much attention as potential candidates for the next generation of solar cells. Polymer solar cells based on blends of conjugated polymer donors and molecular acceptors such as PCBM (often referred to as bulk heterojunction solar cells) are attracting a great deal of interest. These systems have potential technological value due to their ease of fabrication and their relatively low production costs. This enabled devices to be produced that have solar power conversion efficiencies approaching 9%. The purpose of this research project is to develop new and more efficient materials for application in this area.