Thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole-based semiconducting materials for organic photovoltaics

Abstract:Organic photovoltaics (OPV) are a promising technology for renewable energy production. Besides its esthetical and mechanical advantages compared to traditional solar cell technologies, the potential for low-cost high-throughput large area roll-to-roll manufacturing is of particular appeal. To foster further progress in the field, a predictive understanding of the relation between the chemical structure and physical properties of the applied organic semiconductors and the final device/module parameters is of critical importance and continuous research efforts in this direction are required. The development of new materials with advanced properties through modern and innovative synthetic routes (e.g. increasing the functional group tolerance) can certainly help to increase the probability that an economically viable technology and products can be realized. One such synthetic tool that could have a significant impact on organic semiconductor development is direct arylation (carbon−hydrogen bond activation and subsequent carbon−carbon bond formation). Direct functionalization of C–H bonds has emerged as an attractive alternative to the conventional cross-coupling methods due to its more sustainable character. In this PhD thesis, (hetero)arylation procedures have been developed for the synthesis of novel thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole-based semiconducting materials to be applied as p or ntype small molecules in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells.

Publication year:2015

Accessibility:Open

Review status:Not peer-reviewed