A donor-acceptor double-cable polythiophene derivative (PT-F1) with side chain containing C-60 end group was synthesized, and characterized by infrared, UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and electrochemical cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammogram of PT-F1 shows the oxidation peak of the polymer main chains and the reduction peaks of the C-60 end groups, indicating that there is no interaction between the polymer main chains and side chain C-60 groups on the ground state. The UV-vis absorption spectrum of PT-F1 film is red-shifted in comparison with that of its chloroform solution. The PL spectrum of the polymer main chain was quenched by the C-60 pendant on the side chain. Polymer solar cell with the structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PT-F1/Ca/A1 was fabricated. The power conversion efficiency of the device based on PT-F1 reached 0.274% under the illumination of AM 1.5, 100 mW/cm(2). (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 532-539, 2010