Poly(alkylthiophenylenevinylenes), PPV block copolymers, and poly(alkoxyphenylenevinylene):PCBM nanofibers for light emitting devices and photovoltaics

The synthesis, characterization and device performance of two novel poly(p-alkylthio)-1,4-phenylenvinylenes and their sulfinyl analogs and donor-acceptor block copolymers consisting of sulfinyl/alkoxy and trialkylammonium/alkoxy-substituted PPV segments are reported. Furthermore, the blend of the donor/acceptor system BEH-PPV/PCBM, often used in plastic solar cells, was used to fabricate nano-size fibers (100-400 nm) by the electrospinning method. Neat BEH-PPV and BEH-PPV/PCBM fibers were obtained as freestanding, non-woven paper. The fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Visible and emission spectroscopy.