Density functional theory design D-D-A type small molecule with 1.03 eV narrow band gap: effect of electron donor unit for organic photovoltaic solar cell

ABSTRACT

Six new low-band-gap copolymers of donor–donor–acceptor (D-D-A) architecture have been designed using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory methods in order to use them in organic photovoltaic cell (OPVC). Phenanthro[3,4-d:9,10-d′]bis([1,2,3]thiadiazole)-10,12-dicarbonitrile moiety has been used as an acceptor for all compounds. We insert benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene and N,N-diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophen-2-amine units as donor to complete designing of copolymers. In order to tuning the optical and electronic properties, we have modified the donor unit by substituted with amine, methoxyamine, N-methylenethiophen-2-amine, methoxy, alkoxy moieties. The band gap (E_g), HOMO and LUMO values and plots, open circuit voltage (V_OC) as well as optical properties have been analysed for designed copolymers. The optimised copolymers exhibit low-band-gap lying in the range of 1.03–2.24 eV. DPTD-6 copolymer presents the optimal properties to be used as an active layer due to its low E_g (1.03 eV) and a moderate V_OC (0.56 eV). Thus, OPVC based on this copolymer in bulk-heterojunction composites with [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as an acceptor has been modelled. E_g and V_OC values of composite material DPTD-6:PCBM are found as 1.32 and 0.65 eV, respectively. A model band diagram has been established for OPVC, simulating the energy transfer between active layers.

KEYWORDS:

• Low-band-gap copolymer
• organic photovoltaic cell
• solar cell
• electronic structure
• optical properties
• DFT

Acknowledgments

The author greatly thanks to Bitlis Eren University for supporting this study by Gaussian 09W and GaussView5.0 softwares and HPCS computer system.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

Bitlis Eren University.