Structure-properties relationships in triarylamine-based push-pull systems-C60 dyads as active material for single-material organic solar cells

Abstract The synthesis of a dyad involving a small arylamine-dicyanovinyl push-pull system as donor block and C60 fullerene as acceptor, connected by a flexible insulating linker formed by esterification of a β-hydroxymethylthiophene spacer is described. Unlike previously reported parent dyads with linkers connected at the 2-position of the thienyl spacer, this mode of connection allows the preservation of a free carbaldehyde group and thus the possibility to modulate the energy levels of the push-pull donor block. The electronic properties of the new dyad are analyzed by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations. A preliminary evaluation of this compound as active material for single-material organic solar cells is reported and discussed with reference to the mode of linkage of donor and C60 blocks.