Influence of Acceptor Structure on Barriers to Charge Separation in Organic Photovoltaic Materials

Pensack, RD; Guo, C; Vakhshouri, K; Gomez, ED; Asbury, JB

HERO ID

3575866

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

HERO ID 3575866
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Influence of Acceptor Structure on Barriers to Charge Separation in Organic Photovoltaic Materials
Authors Pensack, RD; Guo, C; Vakhshouri, K; Gomez, ED; Asbury, JB
Journal Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Volume 116
Issue 7
Page Numbers 4824-4831
Abstract Energetic barriers to charge separation are examined in photovoltaic polymer blends based on regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and two classes of electron acceptors: a perylene diimide (PDI) derivative and a fullerene (PCBM). Temperature-dependent measurements using ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy are used to directly measure the free energy barriers to charge separation. Charge separation in P3HT:PDI polymer blends occurs through activated pathways, whereas P3HT:PCBM blends exhibit activationless charge separation. X-ray scattering measurements reveal that neither the PDI derivative nor PCBM form highly crystalline domains in their polymer blends with P3HT. The present findings suggest that fullerenes are able to undergo barrierless charge separation even in the presence of structural disorder. In contrast, perylene diimides may require greater molecular order to achieve barrierless charge separation.
Doi 10.1021/jp2083133
Wosid WOS:000301156500059
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes