Photoinduced charge carrier generation in blends of poly(thienothiophene) derivatives and [6,6]-phenyl-c61-butyric acid methyl ester: Phase segregation versus intercalation

Tom J. Savenije, Wojciech J. Grzegorczyk, Martin Heeney, Steve Tierney, Iain McCulloch, Laurens D.A. Siebbeles

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

The morphology, optical properties, and photoconductance of blends of the poly(thienothiophene) derivatives poly(3,6-dialkylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co- bithiophene) (pATBT), poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]- thiophene) (pBTTT), and poly(2,5-bis(3-dodecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[2,3-b] thiophene) (pBTCT) with [6,6]- phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were studied. After thermal annealing, the pATBT:PCBM blend exhibits formation of phase-segregated polymer and PCBM domains. Annealing of pBTTT:PCBM and pBTCT:PCBM yields a layered structure with PCBM molecules intercalated between layers of ?-stacked polymers. In the intercalated systems the photoluminescence is almost completely quenched, in contrast to the phase-segregated pATBT:PCBM blend. The higher degree of exciton quenching in the intercalated systems likely results in a higher initial yield of charges. However, on longer time scales (>10 ns), the microwave photoconductance for the layered systems is lower than for pATBT:PCBM blend systems. This is likely due to restricted motion of charges in intercalated systems, which reduces the yield of free charge carriers or enhances the charge carrier recombination.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15116-15120
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume114
Issue number35
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 9 2010
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • General Energy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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