The efficiency of polymer/fullerene bulk-hetero-junction (BHJ) photovoltaics is very sensitive to the nanoscale morphology that evolves during fabrication. In particular, the nanoscale phase segregation between the donor semiconducting polymer and the acceptor fullerene is critical.  In an effort to robustly control this nanoscale morphology, we have utilized molecular self-assembly to create optimized architectures in both the polymer donor and the fullerene acceptor.  Assembly methods include amphiphlic assembly, shape-complementarity, and self-assembled monolayer formation.  Here we utilize both solution-phase and solid-state structural studies to understand the assemblies produced both in the casting solutions and in the final devices.  We further investigate the device physics using current-voltage characterization, light intensity dependence, and fluorescence quenching studies to correlate the physical device properties with the self-assembled morphologies.  The overarching goal of this work is to use self-assembly to create optimized OPV architectures that can be robustly produced using a broad range of processing method.

Self-assembly as a route to control morphology in semiconducting polymer/fullerene solar cells

244th National Meeting (2012)

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