Role of Crystallization in the Morphology of Polymer:Non-fullerene Acceptor Bulk Heterojunctions.

TitleRole of Crystallization in the Morphology of Polymer:Non-fullerene Acceptor Bulk Heterojunctions.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsO'Hara, Kathryn A., David P. Ostrowski, Unsal Koldemir, Christopher J. Takacs, Sean E. Shaheen, Alan Sellinger, and Michael L. Chabinyc
JournalACS Appl Mater Interfaces
Volume9
Issue22
Pagination19021-19029
Date Published2017 Jun 07
ISSN1944-8252
Abstract

Many high efficiency organic photovoltaics use fullerene-based acceptors despite their high production cost, weak optical absorption in the visible range, and limited synthetic variability of electronic and optical properties. To circumvent this deficiency, non-fullerene small-molecule acceptors have been developed that have good synthetic flexibility, allowing for precise tuning of optoelectronic properties, leading to enhanced absorption of the solar spectrum and increased open-circuit voltages (VOC). We examined the detailed morphology of bulk heterojunctions of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and the small-molecule acceptor HPI-BT to reveal structural changes that lead to improvements in the fill factor of solar cells upon thermal annealing. The kinetics of the phase transformation process of HPI-BT during thermal annealing were investigated through in situ grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering studies, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The HPI-BT acceptor crystallizes during film formation to form micron-sized domains embedded within the film center and a donor rich capping layer at the cathode interface reducing efficient charge extraction. Thermal annealing changes the surface composition and improves charge extraction. This study reveals the need for complementary methods to investigate the morphology of BHJs.

DOI10.1021/acsami.7b03529
Alternate JournalACS Appl Mater Interfaces
PubMed ID28530404