Prof.dr. Ullrich Scherf: Conjugated Polyelectrolytes – Synthesis, Properties and Use as Functional Interlayers of Electronic Devices

The mission of organic electronics is to develop electronic and optoelectronic devices based on organic materials. The lecture presents a series of novel, conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs), including cationic as well as anionic CPEs, and their use as functional interlayers of organic and hybrid electronics devices, especially bulk-heterojunction-type organic solar cells.

A key challenge towards stable and efficient organic solar cells is to develop solution-processed interlayers for improved and stable extraction of electrons and holes. The introduction of cationic CPE-based interlayers (until now mostly cathode interlayers) can lead to a significantly improved charge extraction to the electrode, both for conventional [1] and inverted device architectures [2-4]. Novel anionic CPEs have been also prepared and tested for use as anode interlayers [5].