Fluorene functionalised sexithiophenes - utilising intramolecular charge transfer to extend the photocurrent spectrum in organic solar cells

A new series of oligothiophenes bearing electron deficient fluorene units have been prepared and characterised. The materials are functionalised by C-8/C-11 alkyl chains or triethylene glycol side groups, yet the higher oligomers remain poorly soluble. The absorption characteristics of a sexithiophene analogue ( compound 3) have been studied by UV-vis and photoinduced absorption spectroscopy. Photovoltaic cells have been fabricated from blends of 3 and fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C-61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The photocurrent spectrum of the device matches the absorption spectrum of the sexithiophene system which incorporates an intramolecular charge transfer band arising from the 1,3-dithiole-fluorene units. A modest power conversion efficiency of 0.1% was achieved.