High performance polyimide films containing benzimidazole moieties for thin film solar cells

Abstract

AbstractIn order to match the fabrication process of flexible Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide (CIGS) solar cell, a series of polyimides (PIs) with high initial decomposition temperatures (Td) were prepared from 6,4′-diamino-2′-trifluoromethyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole (DATFPBI), p-phenylenediamine (p-PPD), and S-type biphenyl dianhydride (s-BPDA) using a sequential copolymerization, casting, and thermal imidization process. The physical properties of the PIs were found to be effectively modified by adjusting both the ratio of the rigid momomers and the thermal imidization process. With the introduction of DATFPBI, the polymers showed significant improvements in thermal stability, thermal expansion, moisture absorption and mechanical properties. PIPBId, one of the synthesized PI film, exhibited an excellent comprehensive performance: a glass transition temperature of 368°C, a tensile modulus of 6.8 GPa, a linar coefficient thermal expansion (CTE) of 16.8 ppm/K, and a moisture absorption of 1.42%. Furthermore, Td of this thin film was up to 524°C,which indicated that the PIPBId film is a competitive candidate as the flexible substrate for CIGS, Copper-Zinc-Tin-Sulphide (CZTS) solar cell and flexible printed circuit boards (FPCB) where high process temperature is necessary.