We quantify guest molecule aggregation and its effect on the photoconductive properties of guest-host thin films, depending on the guest concentration and host material. A high-performance anthradithiophene ͑ADT͒ derivative served as a guest, while functionalized benzothiophene ͑BTBTB͒ and polymethylmethacrylate ͑PMMA͒ were chosen as hosts. Aggregates exhibited redshifted optical absorption and photoluminescence ͑PL͒ spectra, as well as reduced PL quantum yields. Propensity toward guest aggregation differed for PMMA and BTBTB hosts. Photocurrents dramatically increased as the percentage of aggregated guest molecules increased due to considerably higher charge carrier mobility in the aggregates. At low guest concentrations, BTBTB films outperformed PMMA films.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.