Botiz, I | Search NASA

DOE OSTI2011

Optoelectronic properties and charge transfer in donor-acceptor all-conjugated diblock copolymers.

All-conjugated block copolymers, which can self-assemble into well-ordered morphologies, provide exciting opportunities to rationally design and control the nanoscale organization of electron-donor and electron-acceptor moieties in optoelectronic active layers. Here we report on the steady-state and time-resolved optical characterization of block copolymer films and solutions containing poly(3-hexylthiophene) as the donor block and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) with and without copolymerization with benzothiadiazole as the acceptor block. Transient absorption measurements suggest rapid charge transfer occurs in both systems, with higher efficiency observed in the latter composition. These results indicate that this class of materials has promise in preparing highly ordered bulk heterojunction all-polymer organic photovoltaic devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2011

Polythiophene-block-polyfluorene and Polythiophene-blockpoly(fluorene-co-benzothiadiazole): Insights into the Self-Assembly of All-Conjugated Block Copolymers

All-conjugated block copolymers have significant potential for solution-processed optoelectronic applications, in particular those relying on a p/n junction. Herein, we report the synthesis and structure of all-conjugated diblock copolymers poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) in thin films and in the bulk. The diblock copolymers are prepared using a combination of Grignard metathesis polymerization and Suzuki polycondensation and characterized with NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, multiangle laser light scattering, and UV/vis spectroscopy. Structure in thin films and in the bulk is characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and atomic force microscopy. Diblock copolymer thin films self-assemble into a crystalline nanostructure with some long-range order after extended solvent annealing, and X-ray scattering measurements show that powder samples exhibit crystallinity throughout the bulk. By temperature dependent X-ray scattering measurements, we find that diblock copolymers self-assemble into crystalline nanowires with phase segregated block copolymer domains. These measurements show all-conjugated diblock copolymers may be useful for achieving solution-processed active layers in organic photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes with optimized structural and photophysical characteristics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2010

Polythiophene-block-polyfluorene and Polythiophene-blockpoly(fluorene-co-benzothiadiazole): Insights into the Self-Assembly of All-Conjugated Block Copolymers

All-conjugated block copolymers have significant potential for solution-processed optoelectronic applications, in particular those relying on a p/n junction. Herein, we report the synthesis and structure of all-conjugated diblock copolymers poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) in thin films and in the bulk. The diblock copolymers are prepared using a combination of Grignard metathesis polymerization and Suzuki polycondensation and characterized with NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, multiangle laser light scattering, and UV/vis spectroscopy. Structure in thin films and in the bulk is characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and atomic force microscopy. Diblock copolymer thin films self-assemble into a crystalline nanostructure with some long-range order after extended solvent annealing, and X-ray scattering measurements show that powder samples exhibit crystallinity throughout the bulk. By temperature dependent X-ray scattering measurements, we find that diblock copolymers self-assemble into crystalline nanowires with phase segregated block copolymer domains. These measurements show all-conjugated diblock copolymers may be useful for achieving solution-processed active layers in organic photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes with optimized structural and photophysical characteristics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2010

Processes of ordered structure formation in polypeptide thin film solutions.

An experimental study is presented on the hierarchical assembly of {alpha}-helical block copolymers polystyrene-poly({gamma}-benzyl-L-glutamate) into anisotropic ordered structures. We transformed thin solid films into solutions through exposure to solvent vapor and studied the nucleation and growth of ordered three-dimensional structures in such solutions, with emphasis on the dependence of these processes on supersaturation with respect to the solubility limit. Interestingly, polymer solubility could be significantly influenced via variation of humidity in the surrounding gas phase. It is concluded that the interfacial tension between the ordered structures and the solution increased with humidity. The same effect was observed for other protic non-solvents in the surrounding gas phase and is attributed to a complexation of poly({gamma}-benzyl-L-glutamate) by protic non-solvent molecules (via hydrogen-bonding interactions). This change of polymer solubility was demonstrated to be reversible by addition or removal of small amounts of protic non-solvent in the surrounding gas phase. At a constant polymer concentration, ordered ellipsoidal structures could be dissolved by removing water or methanol present in the solution. Such structures formed once again when water or methanol was reintroduced via the vapor phase.

08 HYDROGEN↗

DOE OSTI2010

Optoelectronics using block copolymers.

Block copolymers, either as semiconductors themselves or as structure directors, are emerging as a promising class of materials for understanding and controlling processes associated with both photovoltaic energy conversion and light emitting devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗