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Persson I, Laval H, Chambon S, Bonfante G, Hirakawa K, Wantz G, Watts B, Marcus MA, Xu X, Ying L, Lakhwani G, Andersson MR, Cairney JM, Holmes NP. Sub-4 nm mapping of donor-acceptor organic semiconductor nanoparticle composition. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:6126-6142. [PMID: 36939532 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00839h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We report, for the first time, sub-4 nm mapping of donor : acceptor nanoparticle composition in eco-friendly colloidal dispersions for organic electronics. Low energy scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping has revealed the internal morphology of organic semiconductor donor : acceptor blend nanoparticles at the sub-4 nm level. A unique element was available for utilisation as a fingerprint element to differentiate donor from acceptor material in each blend system. Si was used to map the location of donor polymer PTzBI-Si in PTzBI-Si:N2200 nanoparticles, and S (in addition to N) was used to map donor polymer TQ1 in TQ1:PC71BM nanoparticles. For select material blends, synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), was demonstrated to remain as the superior chemical contrast technique for mapping organic donor : acceptor morphology, including for material combinations lacking a unique fingerprint element (e.g. PTQ10:Y6), or systems where the unique element is in a terminal functional group (unsaturated, dangling bonds) and can hence be easily damaged under the electron beam, e.g. F on PTQ10 donor polymer in the PTQ10:IDIC donor : acceptor blend. We provide both qualitative and quantitative compositional mapping of organic semiconductor nanoparticles with STEM EDX, with sub-domains resolved in nanoparticles as small as 30 nm in diameter. The sub-4 nm mapping technology reported here shows great promise for the optimisation of organic semiconductor blends for applications in organic electronics (solar cells and bioelectronics) and photocatalysis, and has further applications in organic core-shell nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingemar Persson
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- Thin Film Physics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hugo Laval
- University of Bordeaux, IMS, CNRS, UMR 5218, Bordeaux INP, ENSCBP, F-33405 Talence, France
| | - Sylvain Chambon
- LIMMS/CNRS-IIS (IRL2820), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Gwenael Bonfante
- LIMMS/CNRS-IIS (IRL2820), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Hirakawa
- LIMMS/CNRS-IIS (IRL2820), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan
| | - Guillaume Wantz
- University of Bordeaux, IMS, CNRS, UMR 5218, Bordeaux INP, ENSCBP, F-33405 Talence, France
| | | | - Matthew A Marcus
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Xiaoxue Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lei Ying
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China
| | - Girish Lakhwani
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mats R Andersson
- Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Julie M Cairney
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Natalie P Holmes
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Raghav A, Paul R, Kumar Chini M, Rohilla R, Satapathi S. An insight into interchain charge transfer through a photophysical study of purified conjugated nanoparticles system. Chem Phys 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2022.111705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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3
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Preparation, Physical Properties, and Applications of Water-Based Functional Polymer Inks. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13091419. [PMID: 33925696 PMCID: PMC8124647 DOI: 10.3390/polym13091419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, water-based functional polymer inks are prepared using different solvent displacement methods, in particular, polymer functional inks based on semiconducting polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) and the ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers with trifluoroethylene. The nanoparticles that are included in the inks are prepared by miniemulsion, as well as flash and dialysis nanoprecipitation techniques and we discuss the properties of the inks obtained by each technique. Finally, an example of the functionality of a semiconducting/ferroelectric polymer coating prepared from water-based inks is presented.
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Holmes A, Deniau E, Lartigau-Dagron C, Bousquet A, Chambon S, Holmes NP. Review of Waterborne Organic Semiconductor Colloids for Photovoltaics. ACS NANO 2021; 15:3927-3959. [PMID: 33620200 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Development of carbon neutral and sustainable energy sources should be considered as a top priority solution for the growing worldwide energy demand. Photovoltaics are a strong candidate, more specifically, organic photovoltaics (OPV), enabling the design of flexible, lightweight, semitransparent, and low-cost solar cells. However, the active layer of OPV is, for now, mainly deposited from chlorinated solvents, harmful for the environment and for human health. Active layers processed from health and environmentally friendly solvents have over recent years formed a key focus topic of research, with the creation of aqueous dispersions of conjugated polymer nanoparticles arising. These nanoparticles are formed from organic semiconductors (molecules and macromolecules) initially designed for organic solvents. The topic of nanoparticle OPV has gradually garnered more attention, up to a point where in 2018 it was identified as a "trendsetting strategy" by leaders in the international OPV research community. Hence, this review has been prepared to provide a timely roadmap of the formation and application of aqueous nanoparticle dispersions of active layer components for OPV. We provide a thorough synopsis of recent developments in both nanoprecipitation and miniemulsion for preparing photovoltaic inks, facilitating readers in acquiring a deep understanding of the crucial synthesis parameters affecting particle size, colloidal concentration, ink stability, and more. This review also showcases the experimental levers for identifying and optimizing the internal donor-acceptor morphology of the nanoparticles, featuring cutting-edge X-ray spectromicroscopy measurements reported over the past decade. The different strategies to improve the incorporation of these inks into OPV devices and to increase their efficiency (to the current record of 7.5%) are reported, in addition to critical design choices of surfactant type and the advantages of single-component vs binary nanoparticle populations. The review naturally culminates by presenting the upscaling strategies in practice for this environmentally friendly and safer production of solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Holmes
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau 64012, France
| | - Elise Deniau
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau 64012, France
| | | | - Antoine Bousquet
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau 64012, France
| | - Sylvain Chambon
- LIMMS/CNRS-IIS (UMI2820), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Natalie P Holmes
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Madsen Building F09, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Elgiddawy N, Ren S, Ghattas W, Rouby WMAE, El-Gendy AO, Farghali AA, Yassar A, Korri-Youssoufi H. Antimicrobial Activity of Cationic Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanoparticles Coupled with Dual Fluorescent and Electrochemical Sensing: Theragnostic Prospect. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:1715. [PMID: 33801383 PMCID: PMC7958628 DOI: 10.3390/s21051715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Designing therapeutic and sensor materials to diagnose and eliminate bacterial infections remains a significant challenge for active theragnostic nanoprobes. In the present work, fluorescent/electroactive poly(3-hexylthiophene) P3HT nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized with quaternary ammonium salts using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), (CTAB-P3HT NPs) were prepared using a simple mini-emulsion method. The morphology, spectroscopic properties and electronic properties of CTAB-P3HT NPs were characterized by DLS, zeta potential, SEM, TEM, UV-vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In an aqueous solution, CTAB-P3HT NPs were revealed to be uniformly sized, highly fluorescent and present a highly positively charged NP surface with good electroactivity. Dual detection was demonstrated as the binding of the bacteria to NPs could be observed by fluorescence quenching as well as by the changes in EIS. Binding of E. coli to CTAB-P3HT NPs was demonstrated and LODs of 5 CFU/mL and 250 CFU/mL were obtained by relying on the fluorescence spectroscopy and EIS, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of CTAB-P3HT NPs on bacteria and fungi was also studied under dark and nutritive conditions. An MIC and an MBC of 2.5 µg/mL were obtained with E. coli and with S. aureus, and of 0.312 µg/mL with C. albicans. Additionally a good biocompatibility toward normal human cells (WI38) was observed, which opens the way to their possible use as a therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Elgiddawy
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay (ICMMO), ECBB, 91400 Orsay, France; (N.E.); (W.G.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62 511, Egypt
| | - Shiwei Ren
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.R.); (A.Y.)
| | - Wadih Ghattas
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay (ICMMO), ECBB, 91400 Orsay, France; (N.E.); (W.G.)
| | - Waleed M. A. El Rouby
- Materials Science and Nanotechnology Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62 511, Egypt; (W.M.A.E.R.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Ahmed O. El-Gendy
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt;
- Laser Institute for Research and Applications LIRA, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A. Farghali
- Materials Science and Nanotechnology Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62 511, Egypt; (W.M.A.E.R.); (A.A.F.)
| | - Abderrahim Yassar
- LPICM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Route de Saclay, 91128 Palaiseau, France; (S.R.); (A.Y.)
| | - Hafsa Korri-Youssoufi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay (ICMMO), ECBB, 91400 Orsay, France; (N.E.); (W.G.)
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6
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Photophysical and structural modulation of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanoparticles via surfactant-polymer interaction. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Rahmanudin A, Marcial‐Hernandez R, Zamhuri A, Walton AS, Tate DJ, Khan RU, Aphichatpanichakul S, Foster AB, Broll S, Turner ML. Organic Semiconductors Processed from Synthesis-to-Device in Water. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2002010. [PMID: 33173736 PMCID: PMC7610335 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Organic semiconductors (OSCs) promise to deliver next-generation electronic and energy devices that are flexible, scalable and printable. Unfortunately, realizing this opportunity is hampered by increasing concerns about the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly toxic halogenated solvents that are detrimental to the environment and human health. Here, a cradle-to-grave process is reported to achieve high performance p- and n-type OSC devices based on indacenodithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole semiconducting polymers that utilizes aqueous-processes, fewer steps, lower reaction temperatures, a significant reduction in VOCs (>99%) and avoids all halogenated solvents. The process involves an aqueous mini-emulsion polymerization that generates a surfactant-stabilized aqueous dispersion of OSC nanoparticles at sufficient concentration to permit direct aqueous processing into thin films for use in organic field-effect transistors. Promisingly, the performance of these devices is comparable to those prepared using conventional synthesis and processing procedures optimized for large amounts of VOCs and halogenated solvents. Ultimately, the holistic approach reported addresses the environmental issues and enables a viable guideline for the delivery of future OSC devices using only aqueous media for synthesis, purification and thin-film processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiman Rahmanudin
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Raymundo Marcial‐Hernandez
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Adibah Zamhuri
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Alex S. Walton
- Photon Science Institute and the Department of ChemistryAlan Turing BuildingUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PYUK
| | - Daniel J. Tate
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Raja U. Khan
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Suphaluk Aphichatpanichakul
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Andrew B. Foster
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Sebastian Broll
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
| | - Michael L. Turner
- Organic Materials Innovation CentreDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK
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8
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Pan H, Tan B, Yazdani A, Budhlall B, Sobkowicz MJ. Controlling the particle size of aqueous conjugated polymer colloids and impact on transistor performance. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.124633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Gehan TS, Ellis CLC, Venkataraman D, Bag M. Origin of Low Open-Circuit Voltage in Surfactant-Stabilized Organic-Nanoparticle-Based Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:8183-8188. [PMID: 31997637 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b19781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Organic-nanoparticle-based solar cells have drawn great attention due to their eco-friendly and environmentally friendly fabrication procedure. However, these surfactant-stabilized nanoparticles suffer open-circuit voltage loss due to charge trapping and poor extraction rate at the polymer cathode interface. Here, we have investigated the origin of voltage loss and charge trapping in surfactant-stabilized nanoparticle-based devices. Efficient organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices have been fabricated from an aqueous dispersion of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) nanoparticles stabilized by anionic surfactants. AC impedance spectroscopy has been used to understand the charge transport properties in the dark and in operando conditions. We have demonstrated the similarities in the charge transport properties, as well as photocarrier dynamics of the nanoparticle-based OPVs and the bulk heterojunction OPVs despite fundamental differences in their nanostructure morphology. This study emphasizes the possibility of fabricating highly efficient OPVs from organic nanoparticles by reducing surface defects and excess doping of the polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Gehan
- Advanced Laboratory for Iontronic, Electronic and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst 01003 , United States
| | - Christie L C Ellis
- Advanced Laboratory for Iontronic, Electronic and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst 01003 , United States
| | - Dhandapani Venkataraman
- Advanced Laboratory for Iontronic, Electronic and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst 01003 , United States
| | - Monojit Bag
- Advanced Laboratory for Iontronic, Electronic and Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst 01003 , United States
- Advanced Research in Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Department of Physics , Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee , Roorkee 247667 , India
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Singh K, Raghav A, Jha PK, Satapathi S. Effect of size and charge asymmetry on aggregation kinetics of oppositely charged nanoparticles. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3762. [PMID: 30842520 PMCID: PMC6403361 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a theoretical and experimental study of the aggregation kinetics of oppositely charged nanoparticles. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are performed for symmetric, charge-asymmetric and size-asymmetric systems of oppositely charged nanoparticles. Simulation results show that both the weight and number average aggregate size kinetics exhibit power law scaling with different exponents for small and intermediate time of evolution. The qualitative behavior of the symmetric and the size asymmetric system are the same, but the charge asymmetric system shows anomalous behavior for intermediate to high particle concentrations. We also observe a strong dependence of power law exponents on the particle concentration. Radius of gyration of the cluster that indicates how nanoparticles inside a cluster are distributed around the center of mass of the cluster shows a non-monotonic time evolution with pronounced peak at higher particle concentration. The dependence of particle concentration on aggregation kinetics as observed by predictive numerical simulation is further verified experimentally by monitoring the time evolution of aggregate size of nanoparticles assemblies of Poly (methacrylic acid) (PMMA) nanoparticles functionalized with oppositely charged ligands. These size and charge tunable asymmetric polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized by modified miniemulsion technique. The integrated approach for studying nanoparticles aggregation as described here renders new insights into super structure formation and morphology optimization which can be potentially useful in the design of new materials, such as organic photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulveer Singh
- Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 246777, India
- Centre of Nanotechnology, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Anubhav Raghav
- Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 246777, India
| | - Prateek K Jha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Soumitra Satapathi
- Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 246777, India.
- Centre of Nanotechnology, IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
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Marks M, Holmes NP, Sharma A, Pan X, Chowdhury R, Barr MG, Fenn C, Griffith MJ, Feron K, Kilcoyne ALD, Lewis DA, Andersson MR, Belcher WJ, Dastoor PC. Building intermixed donor–acceptor architectures for water-processable organic photovoltaics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:5705-5715. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp07137c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Building intermixed donor–acceptor nanoparticle morphologies by utilising rapid miniemulsion dispersed phase solvent removal to disrupt self-assembly.
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13
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Almyahi F, Andersen TR, Cooling NA, Holmes NP, Griffith MJ, Feron K, Zhou X, Belcher WJ, Dastoor PC. Optimisation of purification techniques for the preparation of large-volume aqueous solar nanoparticle inks for organic photovoltaics. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 9:649-659. [PMID: 29527439 PMCID: PMC5827634 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study we have optimised the preparation conditions for large-volume nanoparticle inks, based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):indene-C60 multiadducts (ICxA), through two purification processes: centrifugal and crossflow ultrafiltration. The impact of purification is twofold: firstly, removal of excess sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant from the ink and, secondly, concentration of the photoactive components in the ink. The removal of SDS was studied in detail both by a UV-vis spectroscopy-based method and by surface tension measurements of the nanoparticle ink filtrate; revealing that centrifugal ultrafiltration removed SDS at a higher rate than crossflow ultrafiltration even though a similar filter was applied in both cases (10,000 Da Mw cut-off). The influence of SDS concentration on the aqueous solar nanoparticle (ASNP) inks was investigated by monitoring the surface morphology/topography of the ASNP films using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photovoltaic device performance as a function of ultrafiltration (decreasing SDS content). The surface morphology/topography showed, as expected, a decreased number of SDS crystallites on the surface of the ASNP film with increased ultrafiltration steps. The device performance revealed distinct peaks in efficiency with ultrafiltration: centrifuge purified inks reached a maximum efficiency at a dilution factor of 7.8 × 104, while crossflow purified inks did not reach a maximum efficiency until a dilution factor of 6.1 × 109. This difference was ascribed to the different wetting properties of the prepared inks and was further corroborated by surface tension measurements of the ASNP inks which revealed that the peak efficiencies for both methods occurred for similar surface tension values of 48.1 and 48.8 mN m-1. This work demonstrates that addressing the surface tension of large-volume ASNP inks is key to the reproducible fabrication of nanoparticle photovoltaic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Furqan Almyahi
- Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Basrah, Iraq
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Thomas R Andersen
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Nathan A Cooling
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Natalie P Holmes
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Matthew J Griffith
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Krishna Feron
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- CSIRO Energy Technology, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia
| | - Xiaojing Zhou
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Warwick J Belcher
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Paul C Dastoor
- Centre for Organic Electronics, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/poly(styrene) blended colloids: Exploiting the effects of composition and marginal solvent. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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15
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Kumar Sinha S, Mehta M, Patel S. A charge equilibration formalism for treating charge transfer effects in MD simulations: Application to water clusters. J Comput Chem 2017; 38:1389-1409. [PMID: 28447346 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.24789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Conventional classical force fields by construction do not explicitly partition intermolecular interactions to include polarization and charge transfer effects, whereas fully quantum mechanical treatments allow a means to effect this dissection (although not uniquely due to the lack of a charge transfer operator). Considering the importance of polarization in a variety of systems, a particular class of classical models, charge equilibration models, have been extensively developed to study those systems; since these types of interaction models are inherently based on movement of charge throughout a system, they are natural platform for including polarization and charge transfer effects within the context of molecular simulations. Here, we present two bond-space charge equilibration models we term as QE2 and mixed QE2 treat charge transfer in classical molecular mechanical calculations those provide practical solutions to two major drawbacks of charge equilibration models: (a) a nonvanishing amount of charge transfer between two heteroatoms at large separations, and (b) superlinear polarizability scaling during bond dissociation due to charge transfer over unphysical, large distances. To control charge transfer during dissociation of a bond in a molecular system, we introduce a distance-dependent scaling function (QE2 model) which, controls and recovers physical behavior of the homonuclear and heteronuclear charge transfer between two atoms at small and large values of internuclear separation; and the mixed QE2 model in which we combine the QE2 model under allow and disallow charge transfer situations that describe both charge transfer and polarizability in a distance-dependent manner. We demonstrate the utility of both models in the case of a water dimer, and compare the results with other existing models, and further, we perform short molecular dynamics simulations for few water clusters with the QE2 model to show the charge transfer and internuclear separation are correlated in dynamics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Kumar Sinha
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716.,Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Ropar, 140001, India
| | - Mohit Mehta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716
| | - Sandeep Patel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 19716
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Barbarella G, Zangoli M, Di Maria F. Synthesis and Applications of Thiophene Derivatives as Organic Materials. ADVANCES IN HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aihch.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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17
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Renna LA, Bag M, Gehan TS, Han X, Lahti PM, Maroudas D, Venkataraman D. Tunable Percolation in Semiconducting Binary Polymer Nanoparticle Glasses. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:2544-56. [PMID: 26854924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b11716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Binary polymer nanoparticle glasses provide opportunities to realize the facile assembly of disparate components, with control over nanoscale and mesoscale domains, for the development of functional materials. This work demonstrates that tunable electrical percolation can be achieved through semiconducting/insulating polymer nanoparticle glasses by varying the relative percentages of equal-sized nanoparticle constituents of the binary assembly. Using time-of-flight charge carrier mobility measurements and conducting atomic force microscopy, we show that these systems exhibit power law scaling percolation behavior with percolation thresholds of ∼24-30%. We develop a simple resistor network model, which can reproduce the experimental data, and can be used to predict percolation trends in binary polymer nanoparticle glasses. Finally, we analyze the cluster statistics of simulated binary nanoparticle glasses, and characterize them according to their predominant local motifs as (p(i), p(1-i))-connected networks that can be used as a supramolecular toolbox for rational material design based on polymer nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A Renna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Monojit Bag
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Timothy S Gehan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Paul M Lahti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Dimitrios Maroudas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - D Venkataraman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
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18
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Tan B, Li Y, Palacios MF, Therrien J, Sobkowicz MJ. Effect of surfactant conjugation on structure and properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene) colloids and field effect transistors. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Schwarz KN, Farley SB, Smith TA, Ghiggino KP. Charge generation and morphology in P3HT:PCBM nanoparticles prepared by mini-emulsion and reprecipitation methods. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:19899-19904. [PMID: 26567986 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06244f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Organic semiconductor nanoparticles provide a potentially scalable approach for photovoltaics that can be processed from aqueous media. Particles of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were prepared using two techniques; those produced by a mini-emulsion method contained greater amounts of crystalline P3HT domains with charge generation resembling phase-separated annealed solvent-cast films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra N Schwarz
- School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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20
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Renna LA, Boyle CJ, Gehan TS, Venkataraman D. Polymer Nanoparticle Assemblies: A Versatile Route to Functional Mesostructures. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence A. Renna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Connor J. Boyle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - Timothy S. Gehan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
| | - D. Venkataraman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-9303, United States
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21
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Bu L, Dawson TJ, Hayward RC. Tailoring ultrasound-induced growth of perylene diimide nanowire crystals from solution by modification with poly(3-hexyl thiophene). ACS NANO 2015; 9:1878-1885. [PMID: 25668339 DOI: 10.1021/nn506795q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Tailoring nanocrystalline morphologies of organic semiconductors holds importance for organic electronics due to the influence of crystal characteristics on optoelectronic properties. Soluble additives that control crystal growth are commonly found in a variety of contexts such as biomineralization, pharmaceutical processing, and food science, while the use of ultrasound to modify crystal nucleation and growth has been routinely employed in producing crystals of food ingredients, biomolecules, pharmaceuticals, and inorganic materials. However, both methods have been applied to the growth of organic semiconductor crystals only in limited fashion. Here, we combine these two approaches to show that colloidally stable nanowire suspensions of a n-type small molecule, perylene diimide (PDI), can be prepared with well-controlled structures by sonocrystallization in the presence of a p-type polymer, poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT), as a soluble additive. By preferentially adsorbing on lateral crystal faces, P3HT dramatically reduces PDI crystal growth rate in the lateral directions relative to that along the nanowire axis, yielding nanocrystals with widths below 20 nm and narrow width distributions. With the use of uniform short PDI nanowires as seeds and extension with metastable solutions, controlled growth of PDI nanowires by "living crystallization" is demonstrated, providing access to narrowed length distributions and tailored branched crystal morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laju Bu
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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22
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Couto R, Chambon S, Aymonier C, Mignard E, Pavageau B, Erriguible A, Marre S. Microfluidic supercritical antisolvent continuous processing and direct spray-coating of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanoparticles for OFET devices. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:1008-11. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc07878k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report for the first time the use of a microfluidic supercritical antisolvent process (μSAS) to synthesize semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT).
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23
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Gehan TS, Bag M, Renna LA, Shen X, Algaier DD, Lahti PM, Russell TP, Venkataraman D. Multiscale active layer morphologies for organic photovoltaics through self-assembly of nanospheres. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:5238-5243. [PMID: 25102376 DOI: 10.1021/nl502209s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We address here the need for a general strategy to control molecular assembly over multiple length scales. Efficient organic photovoltaics require an active layer comprised of a mesoscale interconnected networks of nanoscale aggregates of semiconductors. We demonstrate a method, using principles of molecular self-assembly and geometric packing, for controlled assembly of semiconductors at the nanoscale and mesoscale. Nanoparticles of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) or [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were fabricated with targeted sizes. Nanoparticles containing a blend of both P3HT and PCBM were also fabricated. The active layer morphology was tuned by the changing particle composition, particle radii, and the ratios of P3HT:PCBM particles. Photovoltaic devices were fabricated from these aqueous nanoparticle dispersions with comparable device performance to typical bulk-heterojunction devices. Our strategy opens a revolutionary pathway to study and tune the active layer morphology systematically while exercising control of the component assembly at multiple length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Gehan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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24
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Bag M, Gehan TS, Renna LA, Algaier DD, Lahti PM, Venkataraman D. Fabrication conditions for efficient organic photovoltaic cells from aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra07463g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the processing conditions for fabricating efficient organic solar cells from aqueous dispersions of conjugated polymer nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monojit Bag
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Massachusetts
- Amherst, USA
| | | | | | - Dana D. Algaier
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Massachusetts
- Amherst, USA
| | - Paul M. Lahti
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Massachusetts
- Amherst, USA
| | - D. Venkataraman
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Massachusetts
- Amherst, USA
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