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Molar Mass Thresholds in the Structural Behavior of Benzodithiophene-Based Semiconducting Polymers
Matteo Sanviti1, Jeromy Rech2, Xiaowei Zhong2
1Universidade da Coruña Campus Industrial de Ferrol, CITENI, Campus de Esteiro S/N, Ferrol 15471, Spain.
Optimizing donor polymer molar mass is key for high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs). A threshold of ~70 kg/mol enhances microstructure, leading to superior device performance and controlled crystallinity evolution.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Organic solar cell (OSC) performance depends on the solid-state microstructure of active layer components, especially donor semiconducting polymers.
- Benzodithiophene (BDT)-based polymers are crucial for achieving high power conversion efficiencies in OSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of molar mass on the structural behavior of BDT-based polymers (D18Cl and PBnDT-FTAZ).
- To correlate polymer microstructure with organic solar cell device performance.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GWAXS)
- UV-vis spectroscopy
- Fast scanning calorimetry (FSC)
Main Results:
- A threshold number-averaged molar mass (Mn) of ~70 kg/mol was identified for optimal solid-state microstructure.
- ~70 kg/mol polymers showed reduced domain size, high crystallinity (DoC), strong face-on orientation, blue-shifted absorption, and higher mesophase melting temperatures.
- Highest performing OSC devices utilized ~70 kg/mol polymers, indicating a direct link between molar mass, microstructure, and function.
Conclusions:
- Tuning Mn is critical for optimizing the solid-state microstructure of BDT-based polymers.
- Segmental dynamics in the supercooled liquid phase control the evolution of DoC during thermal annealing.
- Findings provide a framework for designing high-efficiency OSCs by controlling polymer molar mass.
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