Disclosure of the nanostructure of MDMO-PPV:PCBM bulk hetero-junction organic solar cells by a combination of SPM and TEM

The microstructure of MDMO-PPV:PCBM blends as used in bulk hetero-junction organic solar cells is studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image the surface morphology and by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to disclose the bulk nanostructure of the film. Typical thin films. as used for state-of-the-art organic bulk hetero-junction solar cells consist of a 1:4 ratio by weight of MDMO-PPV as electron donating polymer and PCBM, a soluble electron accepting C-60 derivative. For these films it is found, using both TEM an AFM, that phase separation occurs. A two-phase system is observed that consists of PCBM-rich domains that are embedded in a matrix consisting of a mixture of MDMO-PPV and PCBM. By combining planar and cross-sectional views, three-dimensional information is obtained on the phase separated PCBM-rich regions. formed during spincoating. Changing the solvent is found to influence the size of the phase separated PCBM-rich domains. But not only the dimensions of the phase separated regions are affected by changing the solvent. Also the composition of the matrix is found to be determined by the choice of solvent. This was studied by changing the ratio of PCBM compared to MDMO-PPV. Since it is commonly believed that the morphology of the active layer influences electrical properties and photovoltaic performance, the nanostructural information obtained with the presented analytical techniques will attribute to a better understanding and improvement of present organic photovoltaic devices. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.