<br/>The use of a Marcus formulation to describe photo-induced electron transfer processes in the complex blends of conjugated polymers and fullerenes associated with organic photovoltaics is rare. The conventional approach considers the polymer and fullerene to form a type II band offset similar to a picture for two inorganic semiconductors. A motivation for this presentation is to ask whether this simple model is correct and only the energetics need be considered when examining the driving force for the photo-induced electron transfer process. Or whether a re-organization energy is also required to describe the effect and therefore an optimum driving force is required to realize high charge separation yields.<br/>This presentation will describe three studies using either a series of trifluoromethylfullerenes (TMFs) or trifluoromethyl perylenediimides (TMFPDIs) that were synthesized, purified and characterized by the group of Steve Strauss and Olga Boltalina at Colorado State University. Both series provide exquisite control over a wide range of reduction potentials of the fullerene or perylene diimide, and can thus influence the driving force for photo-induced electron transfer studies. In all three experiments, the use of the electrodeless technique of flash photolysis, time-resolved microwave conductivity (<i>fp</i>-TRMC) was used. This approach provided a sensitive probe of the yield and kinetics of charges generated in conjugated polymer films when lightly doped with TMFs and TMFPDIs, as well as bilayers of the TMFs with chiral-pure 7,5 single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Photoinduced electron transfer processes of trifluorinated molecules dispersed in conjugated polymer films

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.