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Characterization of spray-coating methods for conjugated polymer blend thin films

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Abstract

We examine the characteristics and functionality of conjugated polymer thin films, based on blends of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl-co-bis-N,NN′-(4-butylphenyl)-bis-N,N′-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine) (PFB) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), using a spray-coating deposition technique suitable for large areas. The morphological properties of these blend films are studied in detail by atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods, showing that favourable results, in terms of layer deposition rate and uniformity, can be achieved using a 5:1 blend of o-dichlorobenzene and chlorobenzene as the solvent medium. A photoluminescence quenching efficiency of above 80 % is also observed in such blend films. As a feasibility study, prototypical photovoltaic devices exhibit open circuit voltages of up to 1.0 V under testing, and solar power conversion efficiencies in the 0.1–1 % order of magnitude; metrics which are comparable with those reported for spin-coated cells of the same active blend and device architecture.

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Notes

  1. These materials were characterized as follows: F8BT; Mn = 81 k, Mp = 174 k, polydispersity (PD) = 2.6, photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) = 82 %. PFB; Mn = 39 k, Mp = 162 k, PD = 4.5, PLQY = 27 %.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr Matt Gunn of Aberystwyth University for advice and technical assistance. The authors acknowledge Cambridge Display Technology (CDT Ltd) for the supply of materials used in this work, and Scanwel Ltd for technical support with AFM measurements. This work was supported by a Royal Society (UK) Research Grant (RG110313).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Mathematics, Physics & Computer Science (IMPACS), Prifysgol Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3BZ, UK

    Matthias Noebels, Rachel E. Cross, D. A. Evans & Chris E. Finlayson

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  1. Matthias Noebels
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  2. Rachel E. Cross
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  3. D. A. Evans
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  4. Chris E. Finlayson
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Correspondence to Chris E. Finlayson.

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Noebels, M., Cross, R.E., Evans, D.A. et al. Characterization of spray-coating methods for conjugated polymer blend thin films. J Mater Sci 49, 4279–4287 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8123-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8123-5

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