Phase Separation in Bulk Heterojunctions of Semiconducting Polymers and Fullerenes for Photovoltaics

TitlePhase Separation in Bulk Heterojunctions of Semiconducting Polymers and Fullerenes for Photovoltaics
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsN.D. Treat, and M.L. Chabinyc
EditorJohnson, MA, and TJ Martinez
Book TitleANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL 65
Series TitleAnnual Review of Physical Chemistry
Volume65
Pagination59-81
PublisherANNUAL REVIEWS
City4139 EL CAMINO WAY, PO BOX 10139, PALO ALTO, CA 94303-0897 USA
ISBN Number978-0-8243-1065-3
ISBN0066-426X
Keywordsorganic electronics
AbstractThin-film solar cells are an important source of renewable energy. The most efficient thin-film solar cells made with organic materials are blends of semiconducting polymers and fullerenes called the bulk heterojunction (BHJ). Efficient BHJs have a nanoscale phase-separated morphology that is formed during solution casting. This article reviews recent work to understand the nature of the phase-separation process resulting in the formation of the domains in polymer-fullerene BHJs. The BHJ is now viewed as a mixture of polymer-rich, fullerene-rich, and mixed polymer-fullerene domains. The formation of this structure can be understood through fundamental knowledge of polymer physics. The implications of this structure for charge transport and charge generation are given.
DOI10.1146/annurev-physchem-040513-103712