Publication Date
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Rachel Aga (Advisor), William Feld (Committee Chair), Ioana Sizemore (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
The choice of solvent and additive has been shown to affect efficiency of organic solar cell devices. To gain a basic understanding of the role of solvents in influencing overall device performance, we present a comparative study on the physical properties of donor: acceptor mixtures in different solvents. Investigations have been carried out for P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)), PTB7 (poly[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']-dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluro-2-[2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl[thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl]]), PC61BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester), and PC71BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C70-butyric acid methyl ester). The physical properties reported are based on UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, resistance measurements, cyclic voltammetry measurements, and surface energy characterizations of the organic films. The solvents used to prepare the organic films are chlorobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene, with and without 1,8-diiodooctane as an additive. The use of different solvents affects the intensity of absorption in the UV-Vis region and the extent of conjugation of the polymers. The surface energy measurements suggest corresponding modifications on the surface morphology of the films.
Page Count
82
Department or Program
Department of Chemistry
Year Degree Awarded
2015
Copyright
Copyright 2015, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law. This may be required by third-party publishers you work with to publish your paper commercially.
