1
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Stäter S, Wenzel FA, Welz H, Kreger K, Köhler J, Schmidt HW, Hildner R. Directed Gradients in the Excited-State Energy Landscape of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanofibers. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37315116 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Funneling excitation energy toward lower energy excited states is a key concept in photosynthesis, which is often realized with at most two chemically different types of pigment molecules. However, current synthetic approaches to establish energy funnels, or gradients, typically rely on Förster-type energy-transfer cascades along many chemically different molecules. Here, we demonstrate an elegant concept for a gradient in the excited-state energy landscape along micrometer-long supramolecular nanofibers based on the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, as the single component. Precisely aligned P3HT nanofibers within a supramolecular superstructure are prepared by solution processing involving an efficient supramolecular nucleating agent. Employing hyperspectral imaging, we find that the lowest-energy exciton band edge continuously shifts to lower energies along the nanofibers' growth direction. We attribute this directed excited-state energy gradient to defect fractionation during nanofiber growth. Our concept provides guidelines for the design of supramolecular structures with an intrinsic energy gradient for nanophotonic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Stäter
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Felix A Wenzel
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hannes Welz
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Klaus Kreger
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jürgen Köhler
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute and Bayreuther Institut für Makromolekülforschung (BIMF), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hans-Werner Schmidt
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Richard Hildner
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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2
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Eller F, Wenzel FA, Hildner R, Havenith RWA, Herzig EM. Spark Discharge Doping-Achieving Unprecedented Control over Aggregate Fraction and Backbone Ordering in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Solutions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207537. [PMID: 36861324 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The properties of semiconducting polymers are strongly influenced by their aggregation behavior, that is, their aggregate fraction and backbone planarity. However, tuning these properties, particularly the backbone planarity, is challenging. This work introduces a novel solution treatment to precisely control the aggregation of semiconducting polymers, namely current-induced doping (CID). It utilizes spark discharges between two electrodes immersed in a polymer solution to create strong electrical currents resulting in temporary doping of the polymer. Rapid doping-induced aggregation occurs upon every treatment step for the semiconducting model-polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene). Therefore, the aggregate fraction in solution can be precisely tuned up to a maximum value determined by the solubility of the doped state. A qualitative model for the dependences of the achievable aggregate fraction on the CID treatment strength and various solution parameters is presented. Moreover, the CID treatment can yield an extraordinarily high quality of backbone order and planarization, expressed in UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Depending on the selected parameters, an arbitrarily lower backbone order can be chosen using the CID treatment, allowing for maximum control of aggregation. This method may become an elegant pathway to finely tune aggregation and solid-state morphology for thin-films of semiconducting polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Eller
- Dynamics and Structure Formation - Herzig Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Felix A Wenzel
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Richard Hildner
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Remco W A Havenith
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
- Ghent Quantum Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S3), Gent, B-9000, Belgium
| | - Eva M Herzig
- Dynamics and Structure Formation - Herzig Group, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany
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3
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Wenzel FA, Welz H, van der Zwan KP, Stäter S, Kreger K, Hildner R, Senker J, Schmidt HW. Highly Efficient Supramolecular Nucleating Agents for Poly(3-hexylthiophene). Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felix A. Wenzel
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hannes Welz
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Kasper P. van der Zwan
- Inorganic Chemistry III, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Sebastian Stäter
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus Kreger
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Richard Hildner
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jürgen Senker
- Inorganic Chemistry III, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Hans-Werner Schmidt
- Macromolecular Chemistry I and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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4
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Beer P, Reichstein PM, Schötz K, Raithel D, Thelakkat M, Köhler J, Panzer F, Hildner R. Disorder in P3HT Nanoparticles Probed by Optical Spectroscopy on P3HT- b-PEG Micelles. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:10165-10173. [PMID: 34797986 PMCID: PMC8647091 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c08377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We employ photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy on individual nanoscale aggregates of the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, at room temperature (RT) and at low temperature (LT) (1.5 K), to unravel different levels of structural and electronic disorder within P3HT nanoparticles. The aggregates are prepared by self-assembly of the block copolymer P3HT-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (P3HT-b-PEG) into micelles, with the P3HT aggregates constituting the micelles' core. Irrespective of temperature, we find from the intensity ratio between the 0-1 and 0-0 peaks in the PL spectra that the P3HT aggregates are of H-type nature, as expected from π-stacked conjugated thiophene backbones. Moreover, the distributions of the PL peak ratios demonstrate a large variation of disorder between micelles (inter-aggregate disorder) and within individual aggregates (intra-aggregate disorder). Upon cooling from RT to LT, the PL spectra red-shift by 550 cm-1, and the energy of the (effective) carbon-bond stretch mode is reduced by 100 cm-1. These spectral changes indicate that the P3HT backbone in the P3HT-b-PEG copolymer does not fully planarize before aggregation at RT and that upon cooling, partial planarization occurs. This intra-chain torsional disorder is ultimately responsible for the intra- and inter-aggregate disorder. These findings are supported by temperature-dependent absorption spectra on thin P3HT films. The interplay between intra-chain, intra-aggregate, and inter-aggregate disorder is key for the bulk photophysical properties of nanoparticles based on conjugated polymers, for example, in hierarchical (super-) structures. Ultimately, these properties determine the usefulness of such structures in hybrid organic-inorganic materials, for example, in (bio-)sensing and optoelectronics applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Beer
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Paul M Reichstein
- Applied Functional Polymers, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Konstantin Schötz
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Dominic Raithel
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mukundan Thelakkat
- Applied Functional Polymers, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.,Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Institut für Makromolekülforschung (BIMF), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jürgen Köhler
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.,Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.,Bayreuther Institut für Makromolekülforschung (BIMF), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Fabian Panzer
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Richard Hildner
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.,Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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5
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Koch T, Bachmann J, Lettmann T, Doltsinis NL. Multiscale modelling of charge transport in P3HT:DIPBI bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:12233-12250. [PMID: 34009221 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00674f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Charge transport properties of a P3HT:DIPBI bulk heterojunction solar cell are modelled by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations based on a morphology obtained from coarse-grained molecular dynamics. Different methods for calculating the hopping integrals entering the charge transfer rates are compared and calibrated for hole transport in amorphous P3HT. The influence of intermolecular and intramolecular charge transfer on the total charge carrier mobility and hence the power conversion efficiency is investigated in detail. An analysis of the most probable pathways with low resistance for hole transport is performed, establishing a connection between charge mobility and morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Koch
- Institut für Festkörpertheorie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and Center for Multiscale Theory & Computation, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Jim Bachmann
- Institut für Festkörpertheorie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and Center for Multiscale Theory & Computation, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Tobias Lettmann
- Institut für Festkörpertheorie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and Center for Multiscale Theory & Computation, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Nikos L Doltsinis
- Institut für Festkörpertheorie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster and Center for Multiscale Theory & Computation, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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6
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Following isothermal and non-isothermal crystallization of poly(3-hexylthiophene) thin films by UV–vis spectroscopy. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Wedler S, Zhou C, Bazan GC, Panzer F, Köhler A. Role of Torsional Flexibility in the Film Formation Process in Two π-Conjugated Model Oligomers. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:9379-9386. [PMID: 33095590 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The performance of solution-processed organic semiconductor devices is heavily influenced by the morphology of the active layer. Film formation is a complex process, with the final morphology being the result of the interplay between processing parameters and molecular properties, which is only poorly understood. Here, we investigate the influence of molecular stiffness by using two model oligomers, TT and CT, which differ only in the rotational flexibility of their central building block. We monitor absorption and emission simultaneously in situ during spin coating. We find that film formation takes place in four similar stages for both compounds. However, the time scales are remarkably different during the third stage, where electronically interacting aggregates are created. While this process is fast for the stiff CT, it takes minutes for the flexible TT. By comparing with previously determined aggregation properties in solution, we conclude that even though aggregate formation concurs with a planarization process, a certain amount of backbone flexibility is beneficial for establishing ordered structures during film formation. Here, the elongated time window in the case of the flexible compound can further allow for better processing control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wedler
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, Experimentalphysik II, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Guillermo C Bazan
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Fabian Panzer
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, Experimentalphysik II, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
| | - Anna Köhler
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, Experimentalphysik II, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
- Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research (BIMF) and Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95440, Germany
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8
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Control the interplay of crystallization and phase separation of conjugated polymer blends by the relative rate of nucleation and growth. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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9
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Panova O, Ophus C, Takacs CJ, Bustillo KC, Balhorn L, Salleo A, Balsara N, Minor AM. Diffraction imaging of nanocrystalline structures in organic semiconductor molecular thin films. NATURE MATERIALS 2019; 18:860-865. [PMID: 31160799 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-019-0387-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The properties of organic solids depend on their structure and morphology, yet direct imaging using conventional electron microscopy methods is hampered by the complex internal structure of these materials and their sensitivity to electron beams. Here, we manage to observe the nanocrystalline structure of two organic molecular thin-film systems using transmission electron microscopy by employing a scanning nanodiffraction method that allows for full access to reciprocal space over the size of a spatially localized probe (~2 nm). The morphologies revealed by this technique vary from grains with pronounced segmentation of the structure-characterized by sharp grain boundaries and overlapping domains-to liquid-crystal structures with crystalline orientations varying smoothly over all possible rotations that contain disclinations representing singularities in the director field. The results show how structure-property relationships can be visualized in organic systems using techniques previously only available for hard materials such as metals and ceramics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouliana Panova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Colin Ophus
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Karen C Bustillo
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Luke Balhorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Alberto Salleo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nitash Balsara
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Andrew M Minor
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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10
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Alizadehaghdam M, Heck B, Siegenführ S, Abbasi F, Reiter G. Thermodynamic Features of Perfectly Crystalline Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Revealed through Studies of Imperfect Crystals. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara Heck
- Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Siegenführ
- Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Günter Reiter
- Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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11
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Buchhorn M, Wedler S, Panzer F. Setup to Study the in Situ Evolution of Both Photoluminescence and Absorption during the Processing of Organic or Hybrid Semiconductors. J Phys Chem A 2018; 122:9115-9122. [PMID: 30358396 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.8b07495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In situ measurement techniques, applied during the solution processing of novel semiconductors such as organic semiconductors or hybrid perovskites, have become more and more important to understand their film formation. In that context, it is crucial to determine how the optical properties, namely photoluminescence (PL) and absorption, evolve during processing. However, until now PL and absorption have mostly been investigated independently, significantly reducing the potential insights into film formation dynamics. To tackle this issue we present the development of a detection system that allows simultaneous measurement of full absorption and PL spectra during solution processing of the investigated film. We also present a spin-coater system attachable to the detection system, where the temperature of the substrate on which the film is processed can be changed. We performed test measurements by spin coating the well-known conjugated polymer P3HT demonstrating the potential of this technique. By considering absorption and corresponding PL, we extract the PL quantum yield (PLQY) during processing, which decreases with substrate temperature. Furthermore, we identify a significant red shift of the PL just prior to the onset of the aggregation process, indicating the importance of chain planarization prior to solid film formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Buchhorn
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics , University of Bayreuth , Bayreuth 95440 , Germany
| | - Stefan Wedler
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics , University of Bayreuth , Bayreuth 95440 , Germany
| | - Fabian Panzer
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics , University of Bayreuth , Bayreuth 95440 , Germany
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12
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Bourdick A, Reichenberger M, Stradomska A, Bazan GC, Nguyen TQ, Köhler A, Gekle S. Elucidating Aggregation Pathways in the Donor–Acceptor Type Molecules p-DTS(FBTTh2)2 and p-SIDT(FBTTh2)2. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9191-9201. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b06283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Axel Bourdick
- Biofluid Simulation and Modeling, Theoretische Physik VI, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Markus Reichenberger
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, Department of Physics, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anna Stradomska
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Guillermo C. Bazan
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Materials, University of California in Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Materials, University of California in Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Anna Köhler
- Soft Matter Optoelectronics, Department of Physics, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
- Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research (BIMF), Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Stephan Gekle
- Biofluid Simulation and Modeling, Theoretische Physik VI, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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13
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Jeong JW, Jo G, Choi S, Kim YA, Yoon H, Ryu SW, Jung J, Chang M. Solvent Additive-Assisted Anisotropic Assembly and Enhanced Charge Transport of π-Conjugated Polymer Thin Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:18131-18140. [PMID: 29726258 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b03221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Charge transport in π-conjugated polymer films involves π-π interactions within or between polymer chains. Here, we demonstrate a facile solution processing strategy that provides enhanced intra- and interchain π-π interactions of the resultant polymer films using a good solvent additive with low volatility. These increased interactions result in enhanced charge transport properties. The effect of the good solvent additive on the intra- and intermolecular interactions, morphologies, and charge transport properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films is systematically investigated. We found that the good solvent additive facilitates the self-assembly of P3HT chains into crystalline fibrillar nanostructures by extending the solvent drying time during thin-film formation. As compared to the prior approach using a nonsolvent additive with low volatility, the solvent blend system containing a good solvent additive results in enhanced charge transport in P3HT organic field-effect transistor (OFET) devices [from ca. 1.7 × 10-2 to ca. 8.2 × 10-2 cm2 V-1 s-1 for dichlorobenzene (DCB) versus 4.4 × 10-2 cm2 V-1 s-1 for acetonitrile]. The mobility appears to be maximized over a broad spectrum of additive concentrations (1-7 vol %), indicative of a wide processing window. Detailed analysis results regarding the charge injection and transport characteristics of the OFET devices reveal that a high-boiling-point solvent additive decreases both the contact resistance ( Rc) and channel resistance ( Rch), contributing to the mobility enhancement of the devices. Finally, the platform presented here is proven to be applicable to alternative good solvent additives with low volatility, such as chlorobenzene (CB) and trichlorobenzene (TCB). Specifically, the mobility enhancement of the resultant P3HT films increases in the order CB (bp 131 °C) < DCB (bp 180 °C) < TCB (bp 214 °C), suggesting that solvent additives with higher boiling points provide resultant films with preferable molecular ordering and morphologies for efficient charge transport.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jaehan Jung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Hongik University , Sejongsi 30016 , South Korea
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14
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Morisue M, Ueno I. Preferential Solvation Unveiled by Anomalous Conformational Equilibration of Porphyrin Dimers: Nucleation Growth of Solvent–Solvent Segregation. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:5251-5259. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b02558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiko Morisue
- Faculty of Molecular Chemistry and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Ikuya Ueno
- Faculty of Molecular Chemistry and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
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15
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Reichenberger M, Kroh D, Matrone GMM, Schötz K, Pröller S, Filonik O, Thordardottir ME, Herzig EM, Bässler H, Stingelin N, Köhler A. Controlling aggregate formation in conjugated polymers by spin-coating below the critical temperature of the disorder-order transition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.24562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Kroh
- Experimental Physics II, University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
| | - Giovanni M. M. Matrone
- Department of Materials and Center for Plastic Electronics; Imperial College London; London SW7 2AZ United Kingdom
| | - Konstantin Schötz
- Experimental Physics II, University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
| | - Stephan Pröller
- Herzig Group, Munich School of Engineering (MSE), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4a; Garching 85748 Germany
| | - Oliver Filonik
- Herzig Group, Munich School of Engineering (MSE), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4a; Garching 85748 Germany
| | - Margret E. Thordardottir
- Herzig Group, Munich School of Engineering (MSE), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4a; Garching 85748 Germany
| | - Eva M. Herzig
- Dynamics and Structure Formation; University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
| | - Heinz Bässler
- Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research (BIMF), University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
| | - Natalie Stingelin
- Department of Materials and Center for Plastic Electronics; Imperial College London; London SW7 2AZ United Kingdom
- School of Materials Science & Engineering and School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta Georgia 30332
| | - Anna Köhler
- Experimental Physics II, University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
- Bayreuth Institute of Macromolecular Research (BIMF), University of Bayreuth; Bayreuth 95440 Germany
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16
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Keheze FM, Raithel D, Wu T, Schiefer D, Sommer M, Hildner R, Reiter G. Signatures of Melting and Recrystallization of a Bulky Substituted Poly(thiophene) Identified by Optical Spectroscopy. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fanuel M. Keheze
- Physikalisches
Institut, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominic Raithel
- Experimentalphysik
IV, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Physikalisches
Institut, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Schiefer
- Institut
für Makromolekulare Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße
31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sommer
- Institut
für Makromolekulare Chemie, Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße
31, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum
FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburger Institut
für interaktive Materialien und bioinspirierte Technologien
FIT, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
- Polymerchemie, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Strasse der
Nationen 62, 09111 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Richard Hildner
- Experimentalphysik
IV, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Günter Reiter
- Physikalisches
Institut, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum
FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburger Institut
für interaktive Materialien und bioinspirierte Technologien
FIT, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
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