Synthesis of organosilicon polymers containing donor–acceptor type π-conjugated units and their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells

Novel organosilicon polymers having donor–acceptor type π-conjugated units in the backbone were prepared by Stille-coupling reactions of bis(tributylstannylthienyl)silanes with diiodoquinoxialine, benzothiadiazole, and benzothiaselenazole. Dehaloganative copolymerization of di(bromothienyl)silanes and dibromoquinoxaline was also studied, which gave the corresponding random copolymer. Applications of these polymers to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were examined and it was found that the polymer containing benzoselenadiazole units as the acceptor exhibited the best performance as the sensitizer among the present polymers.

Graphical abstractOrganosilicon polymers having donor–acceptor type π-conjugated units in the backbone were prepared and their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were examined. Of those, the polymer containing benzoselenadiazole units as the acceptor exhibited the best performance as the sensitizer.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide