Influence of Molecular Weight Distribution on the Gelation of P3HT and Its Impact on the Photovoltaic Performance
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: P3HT is a semirigid and semicrystalline polymer with a strong tendency to postcrystallize in solid films upon thermal annealing. Recent investigations showed that macroscopic, crystalline P3HT fibers can already be precipitated from solution, depending on the combination of solvent systems used. In this paper we investigate the mechanism and the dynamics of gelation in P3HT solutions. Rheological and absorption measurements in solution reveal a distinct two-step mechanism. In a first step, aggregates are formed which, in a second step, link to each other into a thermoreversible gel. The correlation between the gelation dynamics and the molecular weight distribution is discussed in more detail for a nonhazardous, printing friendly solvent system.
Source: Macromolecules
DOI: 10.1021/ma9005445
Institutions: Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Imperial College London
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2042894045