Crystallization kinetics and morphology relations on thermally annealed bulk heterojunction solar cell blends studied by rapid heat cool calorimetry (RHC)

Fatma Demir; Niko Van den Brande; Sabine Bertho; Eszter Voroshazi; Jean Manca; Dirk Vanderzande; Paul Heremans; Bruno Van Mele; Guy Van Assche

doi:10.1117/12.923474

10 May 2012 Crystallization kinetics and morphology relations on thermally annealed bulk heterojunction solar cell blends studied by rapid heat cool calorimetry (RHC)

Fatma Demir, Niko Van den Brande, Sabine Bertho, Eszter Voroshazi, Jean Manca, Dirk Vanderzande, Paul Heremans, Bruno Van Mele, Guy Van Assche

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8435, Organic Photonics V; 84350V (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.923474
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Optimizing the post-production annealing conditions of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells is vitally important, not only for fine-tuning the morphology - thus increasing the efficiency - but also for retaining the desired morphology during long-term operation. However, optimal conditions for annealing temperatures and times can only be chosen, once thermal transition temperatures and annealing kinetics of the blends are well-known. For instance, for systems with glass transition temperatures (T_g) lower than the maximum device operation temperature of 80°C, the mobility needed for morphology coarsening is present, leading to efficiencies decreasing in the course of time. Using advanced fast-scanning thermal analysis techniques, the formation of nuclei and growth of crystals during heating or cooling can be reduced or avoided, and thus, the fast crystallization processes occurring during annealing of the polymer:fullerene blends can be followed. In this study, non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization kinetics of the P3HT:PCBM (poly(3-hexyl thiophene: [6,6] -phenyl C₆₁ - butyric acid methyl ester) and P3HT:bis-PCBM blends are investigated and compared by using Rapid Heating Cooling Calorimetry (RHC).

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Fatma Demir, Niko Van den Brande, Sabine Bertho, Eszter Voroshazi, Jean Manca, Dirk Vanderzande, Paul Heremans, Bruno Van Mele, and Guy Van Assche "Crystallization kinetics and morphology relations on thermally annealed bulk heterojunction solar cell blends studied by rapid heat cool calorimetry (RHC)", Proc. SPIE 8435, Organic Photonics V, 84350V (10 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.923474

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