Optical Properties of Conjugated Polymers in Solution
Open Access
Author:
Silveria, Curtis F
Area of Honors:
Chemical Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Enrique Daniel Gomez, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Michael John Janik, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Polymer Solar cell Absorbance P3HT PCDTBT PFT6BT Spectra conjugated
Abstract:
Control of optical properties of conjugated polymers can be critical for conversion efficiency of plastic solar cells. In pure polymer and solvent systems, solvent effects on the optical properties of the dissolved polymer could provide information to optimize performance in a full device. The absorbance spectra and photoluminescence spectra of poly(3-hexylthiophene), Poly[N-9′-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)], and poly(2,7-(9′,9′-dioctylfluorene)-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole) in dilute solutions with organic solvents were studied and an increase in band gap energy with increasing solvent refractive index was observed. Dilute solutions allowed trends to be linked to free-floating chains, eliminating microstructure formation.
