Thesis presented October 15, 2019
Abstract:
At a time when the impacts of climate change have become undeniable, the development of low-carbon energies is crucial. Potentially low cost compared to established technologies, emerging organic technologies offer an eco-efficient alternative for harvesting solar and thermal (< 473 K) energies. In the first chapter, the advantages and drawbacks of the different technologies currently being developed are discussed. Photovoltaic devices, like thermoelectric devices, require two types of materials conducting holes (p type) and electrons (n-type) respectively. Despite remarkable advances, the development of n-type semiconductors represents a major lever for improving organic technologies. In this context, this doctoral work presents the design, synthesis, characterization and device developments of innovative pi-conjugated n-type polymers and small molecules.
Based on three electron-accepting units – isoindigo (ISI), naphthalene diimide (NDI) and fluorinated benzodifurandione-oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (FBDOPV) – the design and synthesis of alternated copolymers are presented in the second chapter. These polymers exhibit high electron affinities ranging from 3.5 eV to 4.1 eV. DFT modelling and thin-film X-ray diffraction studies allowed to identify the main structural aspects leading to electron mobility as high as 0.26 cm2.V-1.s-1 achieved in organic field effect transistors.
For thermoelectricity, molecular doping of these organic semiconductors is required. It is the subject of the third chapter. The necessary conditions for thermo- and photo-activation of N DMBI dopant have been identified. In particular, the degradation of the activated dopant in the presence of oxygen has been demonstrated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each polymer and two small molecules based on ISI and NDI cores have successfully being doped. The doping mechanisms and conductivities obtained are discussed on a case by case basis using UV-Visible-Near-Infrared and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopies. In particular, conductivities in the range of 10-4 S.cm-1 were obtained without external energy supply neither before nor after deposition. Encouraging conductivities in the range of 10-3 S.cm-1 for a small molecule based on NDI and 10-2 S.cm-1 for a polymer based on FBDOPV have been achieved. The stability and reversibility of thin film conductivities when exposed to air were investigated and correlated to the LUMO level of the materials. The thorough control of deposition and doping conditions have afforded to achieve a power factor of about 0.3 µW.m-1.K-2 associated to a thermal conductivity of 0.53 W.m-1.K-1. Figure of merits of approximately 2.10-4 at 303 K and 5.10-4 at 388 K have been obtained, which represent the first values reported to date for an n-doped organic semiconductor measured on a single device. These materials also allow the replacement of fullerene derivatives in photovoltaic devices as presented in the last chapter. In particular, they demonstrate strong absorption properties, extended to the near infrared domain for one of the polymers. A conversion efficiency of 1.3% was obtained in all polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cell before optimization. Following the donor-spacer-acceptor approach, two ITIC derivatives have been designed and characterized. The modification of alkyl substituents on the spacer provides improved absorption and molecular packing properties compared to ITIC. High open-circuit voltages up to 1.10 V and conversion efficiencies of 4.2% have been achieved with these non-fullerene acceptors.
Keywords:
Organic semiconductor, n-type, Molecular doping, Thermoelectricity, Non-fullerene acceptor, Organic photovoltaics