Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of new europium complex Eu(DBM)3(CPyBM)

A new europium(III) complex, tris(dibenzoylmethanate){1-[9-hexyl-9-carbazole]-2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole}europium(III) [Eu(DBM)3(CPyBM)] was synthesized and used as an electron-acceptor and electron-transport layer in organic photovoltaic (PV) device. Power conversion efficiency achieved from the device was 1.04% under illumination with 365 nm UV light at 1.6 mW/cm2. Compared with the previous reported devices based on Eu(III) complexes, the PV performances were improved. The working mechanism of the organic PV device was discussed.