Characterizing Excited State Diffusion in PCDTBT Using Transient Absorption Microscopy

Authors

  • Eric Massaro Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman
  • Andrew Hill Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman
  • Casey Kennedy Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman
  • Saranyan Ragunath Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman
  • Alexander Hathaway Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman
  • Erik Grumstrup Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman

Abstract

Organic semiconducting polymers (OSPs) are an attractive alternative to traditional inorganic semiconductors for use in photovoltaic devices and other optoelectronic applications because they are cost effective and solution processable. Here we describe our efforts towards under-standing excited state transport in micron-scale domains of the OSP, poly [N-9’’-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4’,7’-di-2-thienyl-2’,1’,3’-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) utilizing transient absorption microscopy (TAM). Using TAM, we directly image excited state diffusion across mi-cron scale domains of PCDTBT thin films, reducing the effects of morphological heterogeneity in these complex polymeric systems. To further understand exciton diffusion and dissociation dynamics we have begun the development of two individual experiments. This presentation will discuss the theoretical evaluation of both experiments as well as preliminary experimental development. The first experiment has been investigated by Monte Carlo simulation of exciton dissociation at microfabricated donoracceptor interfaces. The second experiment relies on the fabrication of polymer devices so that carrier diffusion can be characterized under the influence of an electric field. Investigation and implementation of these experiments was made possible by support from the Montana Academy of Sciences and will provide a more thorough understanding of the excited state transport dynamics in micron scale regions of PCDTBT.

Author Biographies

Eric Massaro, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at The Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana

Andrew Hill, Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana

Casey Kennedy, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana.

Saranyan Ragunath, Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana

Alexander Hathaway, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana

Erik Grumstrup, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Montana Materials Science Program, Montana State University, Bozeman

Presented at the Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society, 2018 Annual Meeting, April 6-7, 2018, Butte, Montana

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Published

2018-12-01

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3-4 December (2018)

Section

Montana Academy of Sciences [Abstracts]