Superresolution mapping of energy landscape for single charge carriers in plastic semiconductors
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: The performance of conjugated polymer devices is largely dictated by charge transport processes. However, it is difficult to obtain a clear relationship between conjugated polymer structures and charge transport properties, due to the complexity of the structure and the dispersive nature of charge transport in conjugated polymers. Here, we develop a method to map the energy landscape for charge transport in conjugated polymers based on simultaneous, correlated charge carrier tracking and single-particle fluorescence spectroscopy. In nanoparticles of the conjugated polymer poly[9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-1,4-benzo-{2,1′-3}-thiadiazole)], two dominant chain conformations were observed, a blue-emitting phase (λmax = 550 nm) and a red-emitting phase (λmax = 595 nm). Hole polarons were trapped within the red phase, only occasionally escaping into the blue phase. Polaron hopping between the red-emitting traps was observed, with transition time ranging from tens of milliseconds to several seconds. These results provide unprecedented nanoscale detail about charge transport at the single carrier level.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Yifei Jiang, Jason McNeill
Institution: Clemson University
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W2896171806