Synthetic and composition modifications to nanoparticle-metallopolymer systems for improved stability and performance

The work herein consists of two projects in which nanoparticle-metallopolymer hybrid bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) systems are modified for improved performance in photovoltaic and electronic applications. The first project describes the process for growing two distinct nanoparticle compositions within the same active layer of a conducting metallopolymer composed of two metal-complexes, which are based on the N,N’-((2,2’-dimethyl)propyl)bis(5-(2,2’-bithiophene-5-yl)salcylidenimine ligand. The second project describes the synthesis of an alternative electropolymerizable ligand N,N’-((2,2’-dimethyl)propyl)bis(5-(thieno[3,2-b]thiophen-5-yl) salicylidenimine. The purpose of exchanging of bithiophene moieties for fused-ring thieno[3,2-b]thiophene units was to produce a stabilizing effect in the resulting polymer, as evidenced by a slight delay in the rate of photo-bleaching.