Communication

Depletion of PCBM at the Cathode Interface in P3HT/PCBM Thin Films as Quantified via Neutron Reflectivity Measurements

  1. Andrew J. Parnell1,*,
  2. Alan D. F. Dunbar2,
  3. Andrew J. Pearson1,
  4. Paul A. Staniec1,
  5. Andrew J. C. Dennison1,
  6. Hiroshi Hamamatsu1,
  7. Maximilian W. A. Skoda3,
  8. David G. Lidzey1,
  9. Richard. A. L. Jones1

Article first published online: 20 MAY 2010

DOI: 10.1002/adma.200903971

Issue

Advanced Materials

Advanced Materials

Volume 22, Issue 22, pages 2444–2447, June 11, 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Parnell, A. J., Dunbar, A. D. F., Pearson, A. J., Staniec, P. A., Dennison, A. J. C., Hamamatsu, H., Skoda, M. W. A., Lidzey, D. G. and Jones, Richard. A. L. (2010), Depletion of PCBM at the Cathode Interface in P3HT/PCBM Thin Films as Quantified via Neutron Reflectivity Measurements. Adv. Mater., 22: 2444–2447. doi: 10.1002/adma.200903971

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH (UK)

  2. 2

    Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, The University of Sheffield Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin St, Sheffield S1 3JD (UK)

  3. 3

    ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source; Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX (UK)

*Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH (UK).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 JUN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 20 MAY 2010
  3. Manuscript Received: 11 NOV 2009

Funded by

  • UK EPSRC. Grant Number: EP/F016433/1
  • EPSRC. Grant Number: EP/E046215/1

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Keywords:

  • P3HT;
  • PCBM;
  • bulk heterojunctions;
  • phase separations;
  • polymer solar cells;
  • morphologies
Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Using neutron reflectivity, self-stratification in a model P3HT/PCBM blend is observed. The as-spun and solvent-annealed films show a depletion of PCBM near the top surface and enrichment of PCBM at the substrate (see figure). Depletion of PCBM at the cathode interface in a photovoltaic device could act as a barrier to efficient electron extraction. On thermal annealing, the PCBM depleted region is eliminated; an effect that partially explains the improvement of P3HT/PCBM devices on thermal annealing.

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