Nanoparticle concentration profile in polymer-based solar cells

Kiel, Jonathan W.; Kirby, Brian J.; Majkrzak, C. F.; Maranville, Brian B.; Mackay, Michael E.

doi:10.1039/b920979d

Cited by 165 publications

(218 citation statements)

References 49 publications

(67 reference statements)

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“…Figure 6a shows the neutron reflectivity curves for each blend film. Four-layer models give rise to best fits for all films that are consistent with previously reported results 14,35 . The volume fraction profiles of P3HT/PCBM and SD-P3HT/PCBM in Fig.…”

Section: Article Nature Communications | Doi: 101038/ncomms4180supporting

confidence: 78%

“…This is due to an increasing interest in taking advantage of the nanometer scale resolution provided by neutron reflectometry (NR)/scattering to probe the structure, interface and morphology of bulk heterojunctions (BHJ) in organic photovoltaics (OPV) [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] to determine not only the nanoscopic heterogeneity of donor/acceptor components, but their degree of mixing and the vertical composition. The nanoscopic morphological information provided by isotopic substitution is highly relevant to understand exciton diffusion and charge transport in these devices [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] ; however, deuteration is commonly believed to have little effect on morphology. Only recently, small-angle neutron scattering revealed that deuterium substitution can significantly influence the phase separation kinetics and morphology in some polymer blend systems 16,17 .…”

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confidence: 99%

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The isotopic effects of deuteration on optoelectronic properties of conducting polymers

et al. 2014

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The attractive optoelectronic properties of conducting polymers depend sensitively upon intra-and inter-polymer chain interactions, and therefore new methods to manipulate these interactions are continually being pursued. Here, we report a study of the isotopic effects of deuterium substitution on the structure, morphology and optoelectronic properties of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)s with an approach that combines the synthesis of deuterated materials, optoelectronic properties measurements, theoretical simulation and neutron scattering. Selective substitutions of deuterium on the backbone or side-chains of poly(3-hexylthiophene)s result in distinct optoelectronic responses in poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) photovoltaics. Specifically, the weak non-covalent intermolecular interactions induced by the main-chain deuteration are shown to change the film crystallinity and morphology of the active layer, consequently reducing the short-circuit current. However, side-chain deuteration does not significantly modify the film morphology but causes a decreased electronic coupling, the formation of a charge transfer state, and increased electron-phonon coupling, leading to a remarkable reduction in the open circuit voltage.

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Section: Article Nature Communications | Doi: 101038/ncomms4180supporting

confidence: 78%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The isotopic effects of deuteration on optoelectronic properties of conducting polymers

et al. 2014

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“…Films of P3HT and PCBM were separately fabricated via spin coating and had approximate thicknesses of 265 nm and 180 nm respectively, yielding at least a 1:0.8 weight ratio assuming the densities of P3HT and PCBM are 1.15 g/mL and 1.3 g/mL respectively. [ 15 ] The lowest reported value for the density of PCBM (ranging from 1.3 g/mL to 1.5 g/mL [ 16 ] ) was used in the estimation of the weight ratio to avoid overestimating the miscibility within this system. Neat P3HT and PCBM fi lms were allowed to age for 2 days at room temperature in an inert environment before bilayer fabrication so that each fi lm had an identical aging history.…”

Section: Fabrication and Characterization Of P3ht/pcbm Bilayersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interdiffusion of PCBM and P3HT Reveals Miscibility in a Photovoltaically Active Blend

Treat

Brady

Smith

et al. 2010

Advanced Energy Materials

594

663

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Developing a better understanding of the evolution of morphology in plastic solar cells is the key to designing new materials and structures that achieve photoconversion efficiencies greater than 10%. In the most extensively characterized system, the poly(3‐hexyl thiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric‐acid‐methyl‐ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction, the origins and evolution of the blend morphology during processes such as thermal annealing are not well understood. In this work, we use a model system, a bilayer of P3HT and PCBM, to develop a more complete understanding of the miscibility and diffusion of PCBM within P3HT during thermal annealing. We find that PCBM aggregates and/or molecular species are miscible and mobile in disordered P3HT, without disrupting the ordered lamellar stacking of P3HT chains. The fast diffusion of PCBM into the amorphous regions of P3HT suggests the favorability of mixing in this system, opposing the belief that phase‐pure domains form in BHJs due to immiscibility of these two components.

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“…The DSIMS results have, also, been supported by variable-angle spectroscopy ellipsometry (VASE), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge Xray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and neutron reflectivity (NR) studies in our laboratories and elsewhere. 42,[47][48][49][50][51] It should also be noted that the distribution of components normal to the film surface is also dependent on the nature of the solvent used. 52 The interactions between the conjugated polymer, here P3HT, and PCBM, that is, their miscibility, and the solubility of the components in the solvent use for film preparation are important parameters that must be considered in describing and controlling the morphology of the resultant active layer.…”

Section: Thermal Annealing Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the morphology of polymer‐based photovoltaics

Liu

Jung

et al. 2012

J Polym Sci B Polym Phys

304

248

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We review the morphologies of polymer-based solar cells and the parameters that govern the evolution of the morphologies and describe different approaches to achieve the optimum morphology for a BHJ OPV. While there are some distinct differences, there are also some commonalities. It is evident that morphology and the control of the morphology are important for device performance and, by controlling the thermodynamics, in particular, the interactions of the components, and by controlling kinetic parameters, like the rate of solvent evaporation, crystallization and phase separation, optimized morphologies for a given system can be achieved. While much research has focused on P3HT, it is evident that a clearer understanding of the morphology and the evolution of the morphology in low bad gap polymer systems will increase the efficiency further. While current OPVs are on the verge of breaking the 10% barrier, manipulating and controlling the morphology will still be key for device optimization and, equally important, for the fabrication of these devices in an industrial setting.

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Nanoparticle concentration profile in polymer-based solar cells

Cited by 165 publications

References 49 publications

The isotopic effects of deuteration on optoelectronic properties of conducting polymers

The isotopic effects of deuteration on optoelectronic properties of conducting polymers

Interdiffusion of PCBM and P3HT Reveals Miscibility in a Photovoltaically Active Blend

On the morphology of polymer‐based photovoltaics

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