Solvent-annealing-induced self-organization of poly(3-hexylthiophene), a high-performance electrochromic material.
We have systematically studied the self-organization of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), an electrochromic material, upon control of the solvent evaporation rate. We characterized these polymer films using atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements. Well-ordered P3HT structures were developed after solvent annealing; these highly crystalline structures exhibited enhanced electrochromic contrast and reduced resistance within the film, leading to larger coloration efficiencies and faster switching times. The optical contrast (Delta%T), coloration efficiency, and switching time of the P3HT films increased from 54.2%, 182.6 cm(2) C(-1), and 5.3 s, respectively, prior to solvent annealing to 64.8%, 293.5 cm(2) C(-1), and 3.2 s, respectively, after application of the solvent-annealing conditions.
Huang
Jen-Hsien
JH
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617.
Yang
Chuan-Yi
CY
Hsu
Chih-Yu
CY
Chen
Cheng-Lun
CL
Lin
Lu-Yin
LY
Wang
Rui-Ren
RR
Ho
Kuo-Chuan
KC
Chu
Chih-Wei
CW