Work

Processing-Dependent Morphology and Photoluminescence Quenching in Donor–Acceptor PBDTTTPD:PNDI(2HD)2T Thin Films

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, we investigate the impact of processing strategies on the nanoscale morphology and photophysical behavior of donor–acceptor thin films composed of the polymeric donor PBDTTTPD and the n-type acceptor PNDI(2HD)2T. The blend morphology and interfacial characteristics were systematically tuned using three distinct fabrication techniques: spin-coating, convective self-assembly, and space-confined solvent vapor annealing. Atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy were employed to elucidate structure–property correlations relevant to all-polymer optoelectronic systems. Films processed via convective self-assembly exhibited nanoscale features with extensive donor–acceptor intermixing, leading to the most efficient photoluminescence quenching of nearly 85%, indicative of enhanced exciton dissociation and charge transfer. In contrast, as-cast films displayed moderately mixed morphologies with approximately 81% quenching, serving as a reference state. The solvent vapor annealing method induced pronounced phase segregation and the formation of larger domains, resulting in reduced photoluminescence quenching efficiency of about 52%. These findings demonstrate that the nanoscale morphology, and consequently the photophysical response, of PBDTTTPD:PNDI(2HD)2T blends can be precisely tailored through processing, providing valuable design guidelines for all-polymer optoelectronic applications such as organic photovoltaics and field-effect transistors.

Source: Coatings

DOI: 10.3390/coatings16040417

Authors: Otto Todor-Boer, Bogdan-Ionuț Ștefan, Levente Máthé, Tudor Blaga, Ioan Botiz

Institutions: Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics, Babeș-Bolyai University, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies

Language: English

Topic: Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: Ministry of Education and Research, Romania, Ministerul Cercetării şi Inovării