Communication

The Nanoscale Morphology of a PCDTBT:PCBM Photovoltaic Blend

  1. Paul A. Staniec1,
  2. Andrew J. Parnell1,*,
  3. Alan D. F. Dunbar3,
  4. Hunan Yi2,
  5. Andrew J. Pearson1,
  6. Tao Wang1,
  7. Paul E. Hopkinson5,
  8. Christy Kinane4,
  9. Robert M. Dalgliesh4,
  10. Athene M. Donald5,
  11. Anthony J. Ryan2,
  12. Ahmed Iraqi2,
  13. Richard A. L. Jones1,
  14. David G. Lidzey1,*

Article first published online: 28 APR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201100144

Issue

Advanced Energy Materials

Advanced Energy Materials

Volume 1, Issue 4, pages 499–504, July, 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Staniec, P. A., Parnell, A. J., Dunbar, A. D. F., Yi, H., Pearson, A. J., Wang, T., Hopkinson, P. E., Kinane, C., Dalgliesh, R. M., Donald, A. M., Ryan, A. J., Iraqi, A., Jones, R. A. L. and Lidzey, D. G. (2011), The Nanoscale Morphology of a PCDTBT:PCBM Photovoltaic Blend. Adv. Energy Mater., 1: 499–504. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201100144

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 Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK

  3. 3

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

  4. 4

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

  5. 5

    Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK

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

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 15 JUL 2011
  2. Article first published online: 28 APR 2011
  3. Manuscript Revised: 6 APR 2011
  4. Manuscript Received: 16 MAR 2011

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Keywords:

  • bulk heterojunction;
  • GIWAXS;
  • PCBM;
  • PCDTBT;
  • neutron reflectivity;
  • photovoltaics
Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Neutron reflectivity and X-ray scattering have been used to characterise the structure of photovoltaic optimised PCDTBT:PCBM (1:4) blend films. A negative gradient of the PCBM forms spontaneously upon film casting – a fortuitous structure that is well matched for efficient charge extraction. Mild thermal annealing at 70 °C does not significantly modify the film structure, and any improvement in device efficiency is likely to be through the removal of trapped casting solvent.

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