Structural Nanoprobes of Organic Semiconductor Devices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Organic semiconductors are an exciting new class of material that combine the electronic properties traditionally only associated with inorganic materials, with the mechanical properties and processibility of polymers (plastics) and small organic molecules. In particular, the ability to process active semiconductor layers through solution processing has led to the commercialisation of organic light-emitting diode-based displays. Commercial potential has also been demonstrated by organic transistors and organic solar cells, where both technologies have the advantage of low-cost processing and the ability to be incorporated into flexible architectures.However, as organic semiconductors are a relatively new class of material, there are still many fundamental questions governing key processes that affect device performance. For example, organic semiconductor films are typically less ordered than their inorganic counterparts and the influence of domain structure, molecular orientation and molecular alignment on charge transport is not fully understood. Additionally, for organic solar cells, where typically two different materials are blended together to form efficient networks for charge separation and transport, the influence of material mixing on charge separation and transport are still being discovered.Since organic semiconductors have vastly different properties compared to inorganic semiconductors, the development and application of new techniques to probe the properties of this new class of material is required. This research programme will adapt state-of-the-art microscopes and utilize advanced X-ray analytical techniques to probe structure and device action in organic devices with unprecedented precision and clarity. This further understanding of device operation will allow for the identification of physical processes that limit device performance and hence promote future device optimisation.
Publications
Schuettfort T
(2011)
Surface and Bulk Structural Characterization of a High-Mobility Electron-Transporting Polymer
in Macromolecules
Friedel B
(2009)
Effects of Layer Thickness and Annealing of PEDOT:PSS Layers in Organic Photodetectors
in Macromolecules
Watts B
(2010)
Simultaneous Surface and Bulk Imaging of Polymer Blends with X-ray Spectromicroscopy.
in Macromolecular rapid communications
Zhang F
(2013)
Critical role of alkyl chain branching of organic semiconductors in enabling solution-processed N-channel organic thin-film transistors with mobility of up to 3.50 cm² V(-1) s(-1).
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Schuettfort T
(2013)
Observation of a distinct surface molecular orientation in films of a high mobility conjugated polymer.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Brenner T
(2012)
White-light bias external quantum efficiency measurements of standard and inverted P3HT : PCBM photovoltaic cells
in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Dalgleish S
(2011)
Indole-substituted nickel dithiolene complexes in electronic and optoelectronic devices
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Gwinner M
(2012)
Organic field-effect transistors and solar cells using novel high electron-affinity conjugated copolymers based on alkylbenzotriazole and benzothiadiazole
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Zaumseil J
(2008)
Quantum efficiency of ambipolar light-emitting polymer field-effect transistors
in Journal of Applied Physics
Hwang I
(2009)
Drift-diffusion modeling of photocurrent transients in bulk heterojunction solar cells
in Journal of Applied Physics
Description | This EPSRC Advanced Fellowship for Dr Chris McNeill allowed him to develop a series of advanced structural probes, including synchrotron-based techniques, for characterisation of the microstructure of polymer electronics devices, particularly transistors and solar cells. Combined with device physics studies, this work has furthered our understanding of charge transport and photophysics relevant to improving device performance. |
Exploitation Route | The work will inform the optimisation of practical organic electronic devices, and provides structural probes that are of interest to researchers in other fields. |
Sectors | Electronics,Energy |
Description | The findings have assisted in the optimisation of polymer solar cells and transistors, accelerating their commercial application. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Electronics,Energy |
Impact Types | Economic |