Molecular Engineering on Bis(benzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)-Based Large-Band Gap Polymers for Interfacial Modifications in Polymer Solar Cells

The development of effectively universal interfacial materials for both conventional and inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) plays a very crucial role in achieving highly photovoltaic performance and feasible device engineering. In this study, two novel alcohol-soluble conjugated polymers (PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO) with bis(benzothiophene-S,S-dioxide)-fused aromatics (FBTO) as the core unit and amino as functional groups are synthesized. They are utilized as universal cathode interfacial layers for both conventional and inverted PSCs simultaneously. Ascribing to the enlarged conjugated planarity and higher electron affinity for an FBTO unit, both PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO exhibit versatile electron-transporting abilities. They show wide band gaps that are important for light absorption in inverted PSCs, at which point PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO are more progressive than some of the reported small band gap cathode interfacial materials. Importantly, PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO display deep highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels, which can block holes at the cathode and thus increase the fill factor. As a result, both conventional and inverted PSCs using PBSON-P and PBSON-FEO as cathode interlayers realize high photovoltaic performance. Therefore, this series of novel polymers are amphibious cathode interfacial materials for high-performance conventional and inverted PSCs.