Building intermixed donor-acceptor architectures for water-processable organic photovoltaics

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
Melissa MarksPaul C Dastoor

Abstract

A modified synthesis method for aqueous nanoparticle printing inks, based upon vacuum-assisted solvent removal, is reported. Poly(3-hexylthiophene):phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester nanoparticle inks were prepared via this modified miniemulsion method, leading to both an improvement in photoactive layer morphology and a substantial reduction in the ink fabrication time. A combination of UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy measurements revealed a nanoparticle morphology comprising highly intermixed donor-acceptor domains. Consistent with these measurements, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of the nanoparticles showed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 104 °C, rather than a pure polymer phase or pure fullerene phase Tg. Together the spectroscopy, microscopy and thermomechanical data indicate that rapid solvent removal generates a more blended nanoparticle morphology. As such, this study highlights a new experimental lever for optimising nanostructure in the photoactive layer of nanoparticulate organic photovoltaic devices by enabling highly intermixed donor-acceptor architectures to be built from customised nanoparticulate inks.

References

Feb 28, 2003·Journal of Synchrotron Radiation·A L D KilcoyneH Ade
Feb 26, 2009·The Journal of Chemical Physics·Frank C SpanoRichard H Friend
Apr 26, 2011·ACS Nano·Thomas R AndersenFrederik C Krebs
Sep 3, 2013·Advanced Materials·Monojit BagDhandapani Venkataraman
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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray
transmission electron microscopy
scanning electron microscopy
scanning
AFM
thermal treatment
thermal treatments

Software Mentioned

FEI xT

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