Nanoparticle Agglomeration in Polymer-Based Solar Cells
Jonathon W. KielMaterials Science and Engineering Department, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USAAaron P. R. EberleCenter for Neutron Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USAMichael E. MackayCenter for Neutron Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
2010en
ABI
Abstract
We show that the morphology of polymer-based solar cells substantially changes after annealing using small angle neutron scattering. Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is found reasonably well dispersed within the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) rich phase after initial processing (spin coating). However, the PCBM structure coarsens after annealing, clearly evidenced by the increase in scattering intensity at a small wave vector. The change in morphology at the nanoscale is related to improved device performance and the simultaneous, contradictory, increase in photoluminescence.
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