Ce travail de recherche prédictive, couplé à des synthèses expérimentales, a pour but d'anticiper la bonne adéquation entre un nouveau polymère donneur de type P3HT et un composé accepteur innovant à base de graphène. Cette étude a notamment porté sur i) la bande d'absorption du polymère donneur « low band gap », ii) sa robustesse face à la dégradation (cristallinité, résistance à l'oxydation), iii) la modulation des propriétés électroniques d'un dérivé de graphène (accepteur) en adéquation avec le donneur. Les résultats montrent que les polythiophènes ayant un substituant éther OR permettent l'amélioration de la conjugaison, de la rigidité, de la cristallinité et de la photostabilité tout en étant électroniquement compatible avec l'hexabenzocoronène fonctionnalisé (acide caorboxylique). De plus, ce nouvel accepteur sera pleinement compatible avec une électrode de graphite grâce à sa prédisposition à l'empilement colonnaire. / This predictive research work, combined with an experimental study, aims at anticipate the behavior of a new donor :acceptor pair constituted by a P3HT-type of polymer and an innovative graphene-based acceptor material (HBC). This study is particularly interested in i) the absorption band of the donor (a « low band gap » polymer) and ii) its resistance towards degradation (cristallinity, oxidation stability), and finally iii) the modulation of the electronic properties of the acceptor, in keeping with those of the donor. Results show that polythiophenes grafted with an –OR group improve both conjugation, rigidity, cristallinity and photostability, in addition to their great electronic compatibility with functionalized HBCs. Besides, this new acceptor material will be fully compatible with a graphite electrode, thanks to its columnar structuration.

Since the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in bulk heterojunction devices¡Mthe considerable publications in PSCs have been reported¡OPSCs based on the concept of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) configuration where active layer comprises of a p-type donor (conjugated polymer) and a n-type acceptor (fullerene derivative) materials¡Mrepresents the most useful strategy to maximize the internal donor-acceptor interface area allowing for efficient charge separation¡OTo further enhance the power conversion efficiency from solar cells made of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) ¡M a new conducting polymer with optimized band energy levels are demonstrated to be one of the key properties¡OIn this study¡MI synthesized a soluble and strongly visible-light absorbing alternating conducting polymer using Suzuki coupling polymerization method¡OThe UV-Vis absorption spectra of copolymer contains an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition band¡Mwhich leads to absorption extending to near-infrared region and optical band gaps is 1.55 eV¡OThe photo-electron spectroscopy in air(PESA) measurements show that the HOMO level of the polymer is ~5.0eV which is lower than P3HT¡O

A new class of &amp / #960 / -conjugated monomers was synthesized with combination of electron donating and electron-withdrawing heterocyclics to understand the effects of structural differences on electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the resulting polymers. The use of this alternating donor-acceptor-donor strategy allows the synthesis of low band gap polymers in which the redox, electronic, and optical properties are controlled through easily approachable synthetic modification of the polymer backbone. This control allows fine-tuning of the band gap to values between 1.0 and 1.8 eV by making structural changes. These structural manipulations yield varied electronic absorption energies for a range of colors in the neutral polymer films, multi-colored electrochromism, and accessible states for reduction leading to n-type doping. The polymers prepared were characterized using cyclic voltammetry, colorimetry, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy demonstrating that the polymers can undergo both p- and n-type doping and color changes in both redox states.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第18295号 / 工博第3887号 / 新制||工||1596(附属図書館) / 31153 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科高分子化学専攻 / (主査)教授 中條 善樹, 教授 赤木 和夫, 教授 辻 康之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

De nouveaux matériaux π-conjugués fonctionnels ont été élaborés selon deux approches. La première a consisté à préparer des molécules π-conjuguées fonctionnelles – basées sur un segment central de type 1,4-bis(phénylène-éthynyl)benzène – permettant de développer des nano-objets et des nanomatériaux hybrides associant les segments conjugués organiques à d'autres composantes : des nanotubes de carbone et de la silice sous la forme de nanoparticules ou de nanomatériaux. Le segment conjugué de base a été fonctionnalisé soit directement, soit par le biais de ses chaînes solubilisantes. La seconde approche a permis de développer une nouvelle famille d'oligomères conjugués organiques et solubles – basés sur des motifs de type thiénopyrazine – de faible gap énergétique entre les orbitales HOMO et LUMO. Les propriétés électro-optiques de ces composés exclusivement organiques ont été confrontées à des calculs prédictifs obtenus par des méthodes de la chimie théorique (DFT, TDFFT). Ces matériaux hybrides fonctionnels ont pu être valorisés. La fonctionnalisation des chaînes solubilisantes par des groupements ioniques imidazolium ont permis la conception de nouveaux matériaux polyélectrolytes pour accéder à des ionogels. La fonctionnalisation du segment conjugué en lui-même a pu être mis à profit pour la fonctionnalisation covalente de nanotubes de carbone ou de nanoparticules de silice. / New π-conjugated functional materials were elaborated in two ways. The first one consisted in the preparation of π-conjugated functional molecules – based on a 1,4-bis(phenylene-ethynyl)benzene central segment – in order to develop hybrid nano-objects and nanomaterials which combine organic conjugated segments with other components : carbon nanotubes or silica (nanoparticules, nanomaterials). The central conjugated unit is functionalized either on this π-conjugated system or at the end of the side chains. The second approach allows the development of a new family of organic soluble conjugated oligomers – based on thienopyrazine units – characterized by a low band gap between HOMO and LUMO orbitals. The electronic and optic properties of these organic compounds were compared to theoretical calculations (DFT, TDFFT). The functionalization of the side chains by ionic imidazolium units could permit the conception of new polyelectrolyte materials and open the access to new ionogel materials. The functionalization of the conjugated segment was used with advantage for the covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes or silica nanoparticules.

A new class of &pi / -conjugated monomers was synthesized with combination of electron donating and electron-withdrawing heterocyclics to understand the effects of structural differences on electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the resulting polymers. Electron deficient benzotriazole, substititued with benzyl from two available sites, coupled with stannylated electron donating groups, ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and thiophene (Th), to yield four different monomers / 1-benzyl-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl))-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3] triazole (BBTA), 2-benzyl-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl))-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3] triazole (BBTS), 1-benzyl-4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b]dioxin-5-yl)-2H-benzo [d][1,2,3]triazole (BBTEA), 2-benzyl-4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b]dioxin-5-yl)-2H-benzo [d][1,2,3]triazole (BBTES). Furthermore, EDOT and thiophene terminated napthalene-2,3-crown ether containing monomers, 14,19-di(thiophen-2-yl)-naphtho[2,3-b][1,4,7,10,13] pentaoxacyclo pentadecane (TNCT), 14,19-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-naphtho[2,3-b][1,4,7,10,13]pentaoxacyclopenta decane (ENCE), were synthesized to observe the effect crown ether moiety on the final electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of resultant polymers. Cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy and colorimetry techniques were employed to examine electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of all monomers and polymers. Experimental results showed that alteration of substituent, substitution position and donor groups&rsquo / strength lead to obtain polymers with different redox behaviors, optical band gaps and different number of achievable colored states.

Durable, cheap, and lightweight polymer based solar cells are needed, if simply to meet the demand for decentralized electrical power production in traditionally “off-grid” areas. Using a blend of Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and the low band-gap polymer Poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2- ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT), we have fabricated devices with a wide spectral response and 3% power conversion efficiency in AM 1.5 conditions; however, this thin film system exhibits only 0.43 optical density at 500 nm. To improve the performance of this polymer blend photovoltaic, we aim to increase absorption by adding CdSe(ZnS) core (shell) quantum dots. Four groups of devices are fabricated: a control group with an active polymer layer of 16 mg/mL P3HT, 16 mg/mL PCBM, and 4 mg/mL PCPDTBT; and three groups with dispersed quantum dots at 4 mg/ml, 1 mg/mL, and 0.25 mg/mL. The (CdSe)ZnS quantum dots are coated with octadecylamine ligands and have a peak absorbance at 560 nm and peak emission at 577 nm. The active layer was dissolved in chlorobenzene solvent and spun on glass substrates, patterned with indium tin oxide. The devices were then annealed for fifteen minutes at 110° C, 140° C, and 170° C. Current-voltage characteristic curves v and optical density data were taken before and after the anneal step. Finally, surface characterization was conducted with atomic force microscopy and electrostatic force microscopy. When compared to the control, the sensitized devices exhibited increased absorption and depressed electrical performance with increasing quantum dot loading. The surface morphology, both electrical and physical, showed deviation from the typical values and patterns shown by the control that increased with quantum dot loading. When the degrading electrical characteristics, increasing optical absorbance, and surface changes, are considered together, it becomes likely that the quantum dots interact in a significant manner with the morphology of the P3HT phase, which leads to an overall decrease in performance.

Les performances des cellules photovoltaïques organiques de type hétérojonction en volume sont entre autres influencées par les propriétés opto-électroniques du polymère semiconducteur donneur d’électrons. L’objectif de cette thèse était de développer de nouveaux polymères π-conjugués pour permettre une meilleure exploitation du spectre solaire et donc améliorer la photogénération des charges. Pour cela, plusieurs dérivés de polythiophènes comportant des substituants aromatiques phényles ont été synthétisés par la méthode de GRIM, à noter l’homopolymère poly[(3-(4-hexylphényl) thiophène] (P3HPT) et le copolymère à blocs poly[3-(4-hexylphényl)thiophène]-bloc-poly(3-hexylthiophène) (P3HPT-b-P3HT). Nous avons également étudié une nouvelle famille de polymères à faible bande interdite basés sur l’alternance d’unités thiophène et dithiéno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]silole riches en électrons et 2,1,3- benzothiadiazole pauvres en électrons. Après synthèse des différents monomères, les copolymères alternés ont été ensuite obtenus par polycondensation par couplage de Stille. Les différents matériaux synthétisés ont été d’abord caractérisés par analyse thermogravimétrique et par calorimétrie différentielle à balayage afin d’étudier leurs propriétés thermiques. Ensuite, des caractérisations structurales (en particulier DRX et neutrons), optiques (UV-visible) et morphologiques (AFM) ont été réalisées. A partir des résultats obtenus, nous avons pu évaluer les relations entre les structures et les propriétés des matériaux. Finalement, des cellules photovoltaïques à base des polymères synthétisés ont été réalisées et leurs performances ont été corrélées aux propriétés des matériaux. / The performances of organic solar cells based on the concept of bulk heterojunction configuration are strongly influenced by the optoelectronic properties of the electron donor polymer. The aim of this thesis was to develop new π-conjugated polymers to allow a better exploitation of the solar spectrum and thus improving the photogeneration of charges. For this,several polythiophene derivatives substituted by phenyl aromatic groups have been synthesized by the GRIM method, note the homopolymer poly[(3-(4-hexylphenyl)thiophene] (P3HPT) and the diblock copolymer poly[3-(4- exylphenyl)thiophene]-block-poly(3- hexylthiophène) (P3HPT-b-P3HT). We also studied a new family of low band gap polymers based on the alternation of electron-rich thiophene and dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]silole units andelectron-deficient 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole units. After synthesis of the various monomers, alternating copolymers were then obtained by Stille cross-coupling polycondensation. The different synthesized materials were first characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and by differential scanning calorimetry to study their thermal properties. Then, structural(especially XRD and neutron), optical (UV-visible) and morphological (AFM) characterizations were performed. From the obtained results, we were able to evaluate the relation between structures and properties of materials. Finally, photovoltaic cells based on the synthesized polymers were performed and their performances were correlated to material properties.

Ces dernières années, un nouveau type de polymère donneur d’électron pour des applications photovoltaïques a été étudié de manière intensive, les copolymères à faible bande interdite. Ils sont constitués d’un groupement riche en électron (ER) et d’un groupement pauvre (EP) permettant de contrôler les orbitales frontières et d’induire une délocalisation de l’exciton généré lors du processus de photo-excitation. Une large variété de dispositifs est basée sur ces copolymères avec des rendements d’environ 10% et, pour accroitre leur efficacité, il est nécessaire d’avoir une meilleure compréhension de ces polymères pendant le phénomène de photo-absorption. La chimie théorique apparait comme un outil permettant de prédire différentes propriétés optoélectroniques. Au cours de ce travail, nous avons utilisé la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité indépendante (DFT) et dépendante du temps (TD DFT) pour simuler les propriétés optiques d’oligomères de taille croissante avec différents groupements ER et EP. Les propriétés optiques des polymères correspondant ont été extrapolées à l’aide du modèle de Kuhn. Ce criblage théorique nous a permis de sélectionner des systèmes prometteurs à base de benzodithiophène, de benzothiadiazole et de benzofurazane qui ont ensuite été synthétisés par couplage de Stille. Les polymères et oligomères obtenus ont été caractérisés par spectroscopie UV-visible et de fluorescence, chromatographie d’exclusion stérique et par RMN dans le but d’observer des relations structure-propriétés et de faire des corrélations entre résultats expérimentaux et théoriques. / During the last decade, a new kind of donor polymers for photovoltaic application have been intensively studied, the low band-gap polymers. They are based on repeating units associating two different moieties, one electron-rich (ER) and one electron-poor (EP), which allow to finely tune the molecular orbitals and to induce a delocalization of the exciton generated upon the photo-excitation process. A large variety of devices are based on such low band-gap polymers, with a power conversion efficiency record around 10%, and, to increase the efficiency, it is necessary to have a better understanding of these polymers during the photo-absorption phenomenon. Computational chemistry isa powerful tool that permits to predict different opto-electronic properties. For this work, we used Density Functional Theory and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory to compute the optical properties of increasingly large oligomers involving various ER and EP subunits. The optical properties in the polymer limit were then estimated for the different systems by using an extrapolation scheme based on the Kuhn equation. This theoretical screening allowed us to select promising candidates based on benzodithiophene, benzothiadiazole and benzofurazan for syntheses, which were performed by a Stille coupling. The obtained polymers and size-controlled oligomers were further characterized by UV visible spectroscopy, fluorescence, size exclusion chromatography and NMR, in order to extractstructure-properties relationships and correlate experimental results to theoretical data.

Organic solar cells have great potential for cost-effective and large area electricity production, but their applicability is limited by the relatively low efficiency. In this dissertation I report investigations of novel materials and the underlying principles of organic solar cells, carried out at the University of St Andrews between 2011 and 2015. Key results of this investigation: • The charge carrier mobility of organic semiconductors in the active layer of polymer solar cells has a rather small influence on the power conversion efficiency. Cooling solar cells of the polymer:fullerene blend PTB7:PC₇₁BM from room temperature to 77 K decreased the hole mobility by a factor of thousand but the device efficiency only halved. • Subphthalocyanine molecules, which are commonly used as electron donor materials in vacuum-deposited active layers of organic solar cells, can, by a slight structural modification, also be used as efficient electron acceptor materials in solution-deposited active layers. Additionally these acceptors offer, compared to standard fullerene acceptors,advantages of a stronger light absorption at the peak of the solar spectrum. • A low band-gap polymer donor material requires a careful selection of the acceptor material in order to achieve efficient charge separation and a maximum open circuit voltage. • Metal structures in nanometer-size can efficiently enhance the electric field and light absorption in organic semiconductors by plasmonic resonance. The fluorescence of a P3HT polymer film above silver nanowires, separated by PEDOT:PSS, increased by factor of two. This could be clearly assigned to an enhanced absorption as the radiative transition of P3HT was identical beside the nanowires. • The use of a processing additive in the casting solution for the active layer of organic solar cells of PTB7:PC₇₁BM strongly influences the morphology, which leads not only to an optimum of charge separation but also to optimal charge collection.