Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

$X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples$ 01:10

X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples

X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Long-range extended chains arising from polymerization-driven spontaneous assembly.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

High-Temperature Transparent Polymer Heater Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione).

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Same author

How to RSoXS.

The Journal of chemical physics·2025

Same author

Reconciling Chain Orientation in Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles between Coarse-Grained Models and Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering.

ACS nano·2025

Same author

Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering Reveals the Distribution of Dopants in Semicrystalline Conjugated Polymers.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2024

Same author

Self-Assembly of Hierarchical High-χ Fluorinated Block Copolymers with an Orthogonal Smectic-within-Lamellae 3 nm Sublattice and Vertical Surface Orientation.

ACS nano·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2025

Using Neutron Spin Echo Resolved Grazing Incidence Scattering to Investigate Organic Solar Cell Materials

Using Neutron Spin Echo Resolved Grazing Incidence Scattering to Investigate Organic Solar Cell Materials

Published on: January 15, 2014

Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering for Organic Photovoltaics.

Dean M DeLongchamp¹

¹Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B

|March 26, 2025

Summary

Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering (RSoXS) reveals that surface roughness and molecular orientation significantly impact organic solar cell morphology, not just composition. Analyzing energy-dependent scattering signatures can help distinguish these structural contributions for better device performance interpretation.

More Related Videos

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

Published on: March 2, 2021

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds

Published on: October 18, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Using Neutron Spin Echo Resolved Grazing Incidence Scattering to Investigate Organic Solar Cell Materials

Using Neutron Spin Echo Resolved Grazing Incidence Scattering to Investigate Organic Solar Cell Materials

Published on: January 15, 2014

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

Published on: March 2, 2021

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds

Published on: October 18, 2018

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
Renewable Energy

Background:

Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering (RSoXS) is crucial for analyzing morphology in organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells.
It's commonly used to assess phase purity and compositional length scales in these materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically investigate how various structural features in BHJs influence RSoXS patterns.
To differentiate the scattering contributions from compositional heterogeneity, interfacial sharpness, surface roughness, and molecular orientation.
To explore the potential of RSoXS simulation for detailed morphological analysis.

Main Methods:

Utilized the National Institute of Standards and Technology RSoXS Simulation Suite.
Simulated scattering patterns based on experimentally determined anisotropic optical constants.
Controlled variations in compositional heterogeneity, interfacial sharpness, surface roughness, and molecular orientation.

Main Results:

Non-compositional features like surface roughness (even a few nanometers) can generate significant scattering intensity.
Molecular orientation (random, interface-aligned, or correlated) strongly affects RSoXS pattern intensity and shape.
Distinct energy-dependent scattering signatures were observed for each structural feature across the carbon K-edge.

Conclusions:

RSoXS interpretation in BHJ solar cells requires considering non-compositional factors alongside composition.
Energy-dependent RSoXS analysis offers a pathway to deconvolve multiple structural contributions.
Forward simulation approaches can enhance the interpretation of RSoXS data for improved solar cell design and performance prediction.