Understanding the relationship between molecular order and charge transport properties in conjugated polymer based organic blend photovoltaic devices

We report a detailed characterization of the thin film morphology of all-polymer blend devices by applying a combined analysis of physical, chemical, optical, and charge transport properties. This is exemplified by considering a model system comprising poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT). We show that the interactions between the two conjugated polymer components can be controlled by pre-forming the P3HT into highly ordered nanowire structures prior to blending with F8BT, and by varying the molecular weight of the F8BT. As a result, it is possible to produce films containing highly ordered P3HT with hole mobilities enhanced by three orders of magnitude over the pristine blends. Raman spectroscopy under resonant excitation conditions is used to probe the molecular order of both P3HT and F8BT phases within the blend films and these morphological studies are complemented by measurements of photocurrent generation. The resultant increase in photocurrent is associated with the enhanced charge carrier mobilities. The complementary analytical method demonstrated here is applicable to a wide range of polymer blend systems for all applications where the relationships between morphology and device performance are of interest. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.