Phase diagram of P3HT/PCBM blends and its implication for the stability of morphology

J Phys Chem B. 2009 Feb 12;113(6):1587-91. doi: 10.1021/jp804151a.

Abstract

In this work, the phase diagram of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends is measured by means of standard and modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry. Blends were made by solvent-casting from chlorobenzene, as blends cast from toluene or 1,2-dichlorobenzene prove to retain effects of phase segregation during casting, hindering the determination of the phase diagram. The film morphology of P3HT/PCBM blends cast from chlorobenzene results from a dual crystallization behavior, in which the crystallization of each component is hindered by the other component. A single glass transition is observed for all compositions. The glass transition temperature (Tg) increases with increasing concentration of PCBM: from 12.1 degrees C for pure P3HT to 131.2 degrees C for pure PCBM. The observed Tg defines the operating window for the thermal annealing and explains the long-term instability of both the morphology and the photovoltaic performance of the P3HT/PCBM solar cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Chlorobenzenes / chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Phase Transition
  • Temperature
  • Thiophenes / chemistry*
  • Toluene / chemistry

Substances

  • (6,6)-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester
  • Chlorobenzenes
  • Fullerenes
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Thiophenes
  • poly(3-hexylthiophene)
  • Toluene
  • 2-dichlorobenzene
  • chlorobenzene