title: New Insights into the Molecular Dynamics of P3HT:PCBM Bulk Heterojunction: A Time-of-Flight Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering Study.
abstract: The molecular dynamics of organic semiconductor blend layers are likely to affect the optoelectronic properties and the performance of devices such as solar cells. We study the dynamics (5-50 ps) of the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT): phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend by time-of-flight quasi-elastic neutron scattering, at temperatures in the range 250-360 K, thus spanning the glass transition temperature region of the polymer and the operation temperature of an OPV device. The behavior of the QENS signal provides evidence for the vitrification of P3HT upon blending, especially above the glass transition temperature, and the plasticization of PCBM by P3HT, both dynamics occurring on the picosecond time scale.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anne A Y
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Guilbert
authors.affiliation: Institut Laue-Langevin , 71 avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble Cedex 9, 38042, France.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zbiri
authors.affiliation: Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Maud V C
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Jenart
authors.affiliation: Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.|Materials Research Institute and School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christian B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson