Structural correlations in the generation of polaron pairs in low-bandgap polymers for photovoltaics

Raphael Tautz, Enrico Da Como (), Thomas Limmer, Jochen Feldmann, Hans-Joachim Egelhaaf, Elizabeth von Hauff, Vincent Lemaur, David Beljonne, Seyfullah Yilmaz, Ines Dumsch, Sybille Allard and Ullrich Scherf ()
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Raphael Tautz: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group
Enrico Da Como: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group
Thomas Limmer: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group
Jochen Feldmann: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group
Hans-Joachim Egelhaaf: Konarka Technologies GmbH
Elizabeth von Hauff: Organic Photovoltaics and Electronics Group, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
Vincent Lemaur: Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
David Beljonne: Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, Place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
Seyfullah Yilmaz: Wuppertal University
Ines Dumsch: Wuppertal University
Sybille Allard: Wuppertal University
Ullrich Scherf: Wuppertal University

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Polymeric semiconductors are materials where unique optical and electronic properties often originate from a tailored chemical structure. This allows for synthesizing conjugated macromolecules with ad hoc functionalities for organic electronics. In photovoltaics, donor–acceptor co-polymers, with moieties of different electron affinity alternating on the chain, have attracted considerable interest. The low bandgap offers optimal light-harvesting characteristics and has inspired work towards record power conversion efficiencies. Here we show for the first time how the chemical structure of donor and acceptor moieties controls the photogeneration of polaron pairs. We show that co-polymers with strong acceptors show large yields of polaron pair formation up to 24% of the initial photoexcitations as compared with a homopolymer (η=8%). π-conjugated spacers, separating the donor and acceptor centre of masses, have the beneficial role of increasing the recombination time. The results provide useful input into the understanding of polaron pair photogeneration in low-bandgap co-polymers for photovoltaics.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1967

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