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Related Experiment Videos

Time-resolved electrostatic force microscopy of polymer solar cells.

David C Coffey1, David S Ginger

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1560, USA.

Nature Materials
|August 15, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Researchers used time-resolved electrostatic force microscopy to link polymer solar cell nanostructure to device efficiency. Domain centers are key for photoinduced charge collection, highlighting the need to control domain composition for improved performance.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Organic Electronics
  • Photovoltaics

Background:

  • Conjugated polymer blends are promising for low-cost solar cells.
  • Processing conditions create nanostructures affecting solar cell efficiency.
  • The link between film structure and device performance is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between nanostructure and device efficiency in polymer solar cells.
  • To introduce time-resolved electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) for measuring photoexcited charge.
  • To establish a direct link between local morphology, optoelectronic properties, and device performance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized time-resolved electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) to measure photoexcited charge in polymer films.

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  • Achieved nanoscale resolution (100 nm) and microsecond timescale measurements.
  • Correlated EFM data with external quantum efficiencies of polymer photodiodes.

    • Main Results:

    • EFM measurements showed good correlation with external quantum efficiencies.
    • Identified domain centers as the primary sites for photoinduced charge collection in polyfluorene blend devices.
    • Demonstrated a direct link between local morphology, optoelectronic properties, and overall device performance.

    Conclusions:

    • Optimizing nanostructured solar cells requires control over both phase separation length scales and domain composition.
    • Time-resolved EFM is a valuable tool for understanding structure-property relationships in organic photovoltaic materials.
    • Understanding local morphology and charge collection is crucial for enhancing solar cell efficiency.