Improvement of Photoluminescent and Photovoltaic Properties of Poly(thienylene vinylene) by Carboxylate Substitution

A study was conducted to demonstrate the synthesis of a new poly(thienylene vinylene) (PVT) derivative, poly(3-carboxylated thienylenevinylene) (P3CVT). The P3CVT derivative contained a carboxylate substituted group in the 3-position of thiophene by Stille coupling reaction. It was also demonstrated that the derivative possessed significant film-forming ability and was soluble in common organic solvents, such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, and chloroform. The increased photoluminescence of P3CVT in solution was mainly related to the reduction of nonradiative relaxation pathways after the introduction of carboxylate group. Photovoltaic performance of the derivatives was investigated in comparison with that of P3HVT derivatives. The significant improvement of the photovoltaic properties of PVTs by the carboxylate substitution also indicated that they had the potential to be used as photovoltaic materials after suitable modification.