Synthesis of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) having a C60 end-group by grafting poly(N-vinylcarbazolyl)lithium onto C60

The grafting reaction of poly(N-vinylcarbazolyl)lithium (PNVCLi) with tert-butyllithium onto fullerene-C60 (C60) was examined to explore the possibility of preparing new materials for effective photovoltaic cells. When the molar ratio of C60/Li was over four, the grafting reaction products obtained were completely soluble in tetrahydrofuran. The number-average molecular weight of the grafting reaction products obtained was greater than that of the respective parent PNVCs, indicating the formation of PNVC with a C60 end-group. Gel permeation chromatography and 13C NMR analyses showed that the product of the grafting reaction was C60 bonded to PNVC and t-butyl groups. UV/vis and PL spectra suggested that this PNVC may be useful for preparing effective photovoltaic cells.