1
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Hakim K, Dupuis R, Bichara C, Pellenq RJM. Pressure and temperature diagram of C60 from atomistic simulations. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:094501. [PMID: 39225521 DOI: 10.1063/5.0213022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Although widely studied experimentally in the 1990s, the structure and properties of low-dimensional or high-pressure phases of fullerenes have recently been re-examined. Remarkably, recent experiments have shown that transparent, nearly pure amorphous sp3-bonded carbon phases can be obtained by heating a C60 molecular crystal at a high pressure. With the additional aim of testing the ability of three classical carbon potentials reactive empirical bond order, environment-dependent interatomic potential, and reactive force-field to reproduce these results, we investigate the details of the structural transformations undergone by fullerene crystals over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. All the potentials tested show that the initial polymerization of fullerenes is accompanied by negative thermal expansion, albeit in slightly different ranges. However, more significant differences in structural and mechanical properties are observed in the amorphous phases, in particular the sp3 carbon fraction and the existence of layered amorphous carbon. Overall, these results indicate to which extent classical reactive potentials can be used to explore phase transitions over a wide range of pressures and temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Hakim
- CINaM, CNRS and Aix-Marseille Univ., Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, Cedex 09, France
| | | | - Christophe Bichara
- CINaM, CNRS and Aix-Marseille Univ., Campus de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, Cedex 09, France
| | - Roland J-M Pellenq
- IEM, CNRS and University of Montpellier, 300 Av. du Professeur Jeanbrau, 34090 Montpellier, France
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2
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Sowa JK, Allen TC, Rossky PJ. Accumulation and ordering of P3HT oligomers at the liquid-vapor interface with implications for thin-film morphology. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:20808-20816. [PMID: 37493614 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02718j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The morphology of semiconducting polymer thin films is known to have a profound effect on their opto-electronic properties. Although considerable efforts have been made to control and understand the processes which influence the structures of these systems, it remains largely unclear what physical factors determine the arrangement of polymer chains in spin-cast films. Here, we investigate the role that the liquid-vapor interfaces in chlorobenzene solutions of poly(3-hexylthiophene) [P3HT] play in the conformational geometries adopted by the polymers. Using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD), and supported by toy-model simulations, we demonstrate that, with increasing concentration, P3HT oligomers in solution exhibit a strong propensity for the liquid-vapor interface. Due to the differential solubility of the backbone and side chains of the oligomers, in the vicinity of this interface, hexyl chains and the thiophene rings, have a clear orientational preference with respect to the liquid surface. At high concentrations, we additionally establish a substantial degree of inter-oligomer alignment and thiophene ring stacking near the interface. Our results broadly concur with the limited existing experimental evidence and we suggest that the interfacial structure can act as a template for film structure. We argue that the differences in solvent affinity of the side chain and backbone moieties are the driving force for the anisotropic orientations of the polymers near the interface. This finer grained description contrasts with the usual monolithic characterization of polymer units. Since this phenomenon can be controlled by concurrent chemical design and the choice of solvents, this work establishes a fabrication principle which may be useful to develop more highly functional polymer films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub K Sowa
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Thomas C Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Peter J Rossky
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
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3
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Bhat V, Callaway CP, Risko C. Computational Approaches for Organic Semiconductors: From Chemical and Physical Understanding to Predicting New Materials. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 37141497 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
While a complete understanding of organic semiconductor (OSC) design principles remains elusive, computational methods─ranging from techniques based in classical and quantum mechanics to more recent data-enabled models─can complement experimental observations and provide deep physicochemical insights into OSC structure-processing-property relationships, offering new capabilities for in silico OSC discovery and design. In this Review, we trace the evolution of these computational methods and their application to OSCs, beginning with early quantum-chemical methods to investigate resonance in benzene and building to recent machine-learning (ML) techniques and their application to ever more sophisticated OSC scientific and engineering challenges. Along the way, we highlight the limitations of the methods and how sophisticated physical and mathematical frameworks have been created to overcome those limitations. We illustrate applications of these methods to a range of specific challenges in OSCs derived from π-conjugated polymers and molecules, including predicting charge-carrier transport, modeling chain conformations and bulk morphology, estimating thermomechanical properties, and describing phonons and thermal transport, to name a few. Through these examples, we demonstrate how advances in computational methods accelerate the deployment of OSCsin wide-ranging technologies, such as organic photovoltaics (OPVs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic thermoelectrics, organic batteries, and organic (bio)sensors. We conclude by providing an outlook for the future development of computational techniques to discover and assess the properties of high-performing OSCs with greater accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinayak Bhat
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055, United States
| | - Connor P Callaway
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055, United States
| | - Chad Risko
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0055, United States
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4
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Sun W, Wang H. Molecular dynamics simulation of nano-crack formation in asphalt binder with different SARA fractions. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2022.2055011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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5
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Liu X, Yan Y, Zhang Q, Zhao K, Han Y. n-Type D-A Conjugated Polymers: Relationship Between Microstructure and Electrical/Mechanical Performance. Chem Res Chin Univ 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-021-1269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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6
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Callaway CP, Bombile JH, Mask W, Ryno SM, Risko C. Thermomechanical enhancement of
DPP‐4T
through purposeful
π‐conjugation
disruption. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Connor P. Callaway
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Joel H. Bombile
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Walker Mask
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Sean M. Ryno
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky USA
| | - Chad Risko
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky USA
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7
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Zhang S, Koizumi M, Cao Z, Mao KS, Qian Z, Galuska LA, Jin L, Gu X. Directly Probing the Fracture Behavior of Ultrathin Polymeric Films. ACS POLYMERS AU 2021; 1:16-29. [PMID: 36855554 PMCID: PMC9954313 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.1c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding fracture mechanics of ultrathin polymeric films is crucial for modern technologies, including semiconductor and coating industries. However, up to now, the fracture behavior of sub-100 nm polymeric thin films is rarely explored due to challenges in handling samples and limited testing methods available. In this work, we report a new testing methodology that can not only visualize the evolution of the local stress distribution through wrinkling patterns and crack propagation during the deformation of ultrathin films but also directly measure their fracture energies. Using ultrathin polystyrene films as a model system, we both experimentally and computationally investigate the effect of the film thickness and molecular weight on their fracture behavior, both of which show a ductile-to-brittle transition. Furthermore, we demonstrate the broad applicability of this testing method in semicrystalline semiconducting polymers. We anticipate our methodology described here could provide new ways of studying the fracture behavior of ultrathin films under confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- School
of Polymer Science and Engineering, Center for Optoelectronic Materials
and Device, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Masato Koizumi
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Zhiqiang Cao
- School
of Polymer Science and Engineering, Center for Optoelectronic Materials
and Device, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Keyou S. Mao
- Materials
Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Zhiyuan Qian
- School
of Polymer Science and Engineering, Center for Optoelectronic Materials
and Device, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Luke A. Galuska
- School
of Polymer Science and Engineering, Center for Optoelectronic Materials
and Device, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | - Lihua Jin
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States,
| | - Xiaodan Gu
- School
of Polymer Science and Engineering, Center for Optoelectronic Materials
and Device, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States,
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8
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Lee JW, Ma BS, Kim HJ, Kim TS, Kim BJ. High-Molecular-Weight Electroactive Polymer Additives for Simultaneous Enhancement of Photovoltaic Efficiency and Mechanical Robustness in High-Performance Polymer Solar Cells. JACS AU 2021; 1:612-622. [PMID: 34467323 PMCID: PMC8395705 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The development of small-molecule acceptors (SMAs) has significantly enhanced the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar cells (PSCs); however, the inferior mechanical properties of SMA-based PSCs often limit their long-term stability and application in wearable power generators. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and effective strategy for enhancing the mechanical robustness and PCE of PSCs by incorporating a high-molecular-weight (MW) polymer acceptor (P A, P(NDI2OD-T2)). The addition of 10-20 wt % P A leads to a more than 4-fold increase in the mechanical ductility of the SMA-based PSCs in terms of the crack onset strain (COS). At the same time, the incorporation of P A into the active layer improves the charge transport and recombination properties, increasing the PCE of the PSC from 14.6 to 15.4%. The added P As act as tie molecules, providing mechanical and electrical bridges between adjacent domains of SMAs. Thus, for the first time, we produce highly efficient and mechanically robust PSCs with a 15% PCE and 10% COS at the same time, thereby demonstrating their great potential as stretchable or wearable power generators. To understand the origin of the dual enhancements realized by P A, we investigate the influence of the P A content on electrical, structural, and morphological properties of the PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Woo Lee
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Boo Soo Ma
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Jun Kim
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek-Soo Kim
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- . (T.-S.K.)
| | - Bumjoon J. Kim
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
(KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- . (B.J.K.)
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9
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Wang T, Brédas JL. Organic Photovoltaics: Understanding the Preaggregation of Polymer Donors in Solution and Its Morphological Impact. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:1822-1835. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c09542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tonghui Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0088, United States
| | - Jean-Luc Brédas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0088, United States
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10
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Yoshimoto Y, Sugiyama S, Shimada S, Kaneko T, Takagi S, Kinefuchi I. Molecular Insights into the Mechanical Properties of Polymer–Fullerene Bulk Heterojunctions for Organic Photovoltaic Applications. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Yoshimoto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Sou Sugiyama
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Shimada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kaneko
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shu Takagi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ikuya Kinefuchi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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11
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Opoku H, Lee JH, Nketia-Yawson B, Bae S, Lee JJ, Ahn H, Jo JW. Configurationally Random Polythiophene for Improved Polymer Ordering and Charge-Transporting Ability. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:40599-40606. [PMID: 32805855 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Random polythiophene polymers are characterized by the arbitrary sequences of monomeric units along polymer backbones. These untailored orientations generally result in the twisting of thiophene rings out of the conjugation planarity in addition to steric repulsions experienced among substituted alkyl chains. These tendencies have limited close polymer packing, which has been detrimental to charge transport in these moieties. To ameliorate charge transport in these classes of polymers, we make use of simple Stille coupling polymerization to synthesize highly random polythiophene polymers. We induced a positive microstructural change between polymer chains by attuning the ratio between alkyl-substituted and nonalkyl-substituted monomer units along the backbones. The optimized random polythiophene was found to have enhanced intermolecular interaction, increased size of crystallites, and stronger tendency to take edge orientation compared with both regiorandom and regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) polymers. Incorporation of the optimized random polythiophene as an active material in solid-state electrolyte-gated organic field-effect transistors exhibited better performance than the control device using regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene), with a high hole mobility up to 4.52 cm2 V-1 s-1 in ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Opoku
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering and Research Center for Photoenergy Harvesting & Conversion Technology (phct), Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon Lee
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering and Research Center for Photoenergy Harvesting & Conversion Technology (phct), Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Benjamin Nketia-Yawson
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering and Research Center for Photoenergy Harvesting & Conversion Technology (phct), Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghwan Bae
- Green and Sustainable Materials R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Chonan, Chungcheongnam 31056, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Lee
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering and Research Center for Photoenergy Harvesting & Conversion Technology (phct), Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungju Ahn
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Pohang, Kyungbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jea Woong Jo
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering and Research Center for Photoenergy Harvesting & Conversion Technology (phct), Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
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12
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Munshi J, Chien T, Chen W, Balasubramanian G. Elasto-morphology of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6743-6751. [PMID: 32588009 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00849d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the mechanical properties of organic semiconductors is important when using these materials in flexible electronics applications. For instance, knowledge of the mechanical and thermal stability of thin film organic solar cells (OSCs) is critical for the roll-to-roll production of photovoltaic devices and their use under various operating conditions. Here, we examine the thermal and elasto-mechanical properties of the conjugated donor polymer poly-(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and the interpenetrating mixtures of P3HT and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl (PCBM) ester bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers under the application of unidirectional tensile deformation using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations. The predictions are validated against previous experimental reports as well as with earlier modeling results derived using different intermolecular force fields. Our results reveal that PCBM molecules behave as anti-plasticizers when mixed with P3HT and tend to increase the tensile modulus and glass transition temperature, while decreasing the crack-onset strain relative to pure P3HT. The variations in the mechanical properties with the composition of the BHJ active layer suggest that, in the presence of small oligomers as additives in the BHJ, the P3HT:PCBM mixture resists the anti-plasticizing effect of PCBM molecules due to the low tensile modulus of the short polymer chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joydeep Munshi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Lehigh University, Packard Laboratory 561, 19 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
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13
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Duan L, Uddin A. Progress in Stability of Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1903259. [PMID: 32537401 PMCID: PMC7284215 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201903259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The organic solar cell (OSC) is a promising emerging low-cost thin film photovoltaics technology. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OSCs has overpassed 16% for single junction and 17% for organic-organic tandem solar cells with the development of low bandgap organic materials synthesis and device processing technology. The main barrier of commercial use of OSCs is the poor stability of devices. Herein, the factors limiting the stability of OSCs are summarized. The limiting stability factors are oxygen, water, irradiation, heating, metastable morphology, diffusion of electrodes and buffer layers materials, and mechanical stress. The recent progress in strategies to increase the stability of OSCs is surveyed, such as material design, device engineering of active layers, employing inverted geometry, optimizing buffer layers, using stable electrodes and encapsulation materials. The International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability guidelines are also discussed. The potential research strategies to achieve the required device stability and efficiency are highlighted, rendering possible pathways to facilitate the viable commercialization of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leiping Duan
- School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy EngineeringUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSW2052Australia
| | - Ashraf Uddin
- School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy EngineeringUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSW2052Australia
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14
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Lee C, Lee S, Kim GU, Lee W, Kim BJ. Recent Advances, Design Guidelines, and Prospects of All-Polymer Solar Cells. Chem Rev 2019; 119:8028-8086. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Changyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Seungjin Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Geon-U Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Wonho Lee
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, Gyeongbuk 39177, South Korea
| | - Bumjoon J. Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
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15
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Smith AR, Thompson IR, Walker AB. Simulating morphologies of organic semiconductors by exploiting low-frequency vibrational modes. J Chem Phys 2019; 150:164115. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5088895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R. Smith
- Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R. Thompson
- Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Alison B. Walker
- Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
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16
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Ryno SM, Risko C. Deconstructing the behavior of donor–acceptor copolymers in solution & the melt: the case of PTB7. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:7802-7813. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp00777f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations of the donor–acceptor copolymer PTB7 at near experimental scale reveal structure–dynamics correlations in the condensed phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Ryno
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Applied Energy Research
- University of Kentucky
- Lexington
- USA
| | - Chad Risko
- Department of Chemistry & Center for Applied Energy Research
- University of Kentucky
- Lexington
- USA
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17
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Sanchez‐Lengeling B, Roch LM, Perea JD, Langner S, Brabec CJ, Aspuru‐Guzik A. A Bayesian Approach to Predict Solubility Parameters. ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.201800069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Loïc M. Roch
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University Cambridge MA 02138 USA
| | - José Darío Perea
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg Martensstrasse 7 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Stefan Langner
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg Martensstrasse 7 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Christoph J. Brabec
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg Martensstrasse 7 91058 Erlangen Germany
- Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE Bayern) Immerwahrstrasse 2 91058 Erlangen Germany
| | - Alán Aspuru‐Guzik
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Harvard University Cambridge MA 02138 USA
- Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Toronto Ontario M5G 1Z8 Canada
- Department of Computer Science University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M5S 3H7 Canada
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18
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Balar N, Xiong Y, Ye L, Li S, Nevola D, Dougherty DB, Hou J, Ade H, O'Connor BT. Role of Polymer Segregation on the Mechanical Behavior of All-Polymer Solar Cell Active Layers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:43886-43892. [PMID: 29188708 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b13719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
An all-polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layer that removes the use of commonly used small molecule electron acceptors is a promising approach to improve the thermomechanical behavior of organic solar cells. However, there has been limited research on their mechanical properties. Here, we report on the mechanical behavior of high-performance blade-coated all-polymer BHJ films cast using eco-friendly solvents. The mechanical properties considered include the elastic modulus, crack onset strain, and cohesive fracture energy. We show that the mechanical behavior of the blend is largely unaffected by significant changes in the segregation characteristics of the polymers, which was varied systematically through solvent formulation. In comparison to a polymer:fullerene BHJ counterpart, the all-polymer films were found to have lower stiffness and increased ductility. Yet, the fracture energy of the all-polymer films is not significantly improved compared to that of the polymer:fullerene films. This study highlights that improved mechanical behavior of all-polymer systems cannot be assumed, and that details of the molecular structure, molecular weight, and film morphology play an important role in both the optoelectronic and mechanical properties. Furthermore, we show that simple composite modeling provides a predictive tool for the mechanical properties of the polymer blend films, providing a framework to guide future optimization of the mechanical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sunsun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | | | | | - Jianhui Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, P. R. China
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19
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Guilbert AAY, Zbiri M, Dunbar ADF, Nelson J. Quantitative Analysis of the Molecular Dynamics of P3HT:PCBM Bulk Heterojunction. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:9073-9080. [PMID: 28834430 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b08312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The optoelectronic properties of blends of conjugated polymers and small molecules are likely to be affected by the molecular dynamics of the active layer components. We study the dynamics of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on time scales up to 50 ns and in a temperature range of 250-360 K. First, we compare the MD results with quasi-elastic neutron-scattering (QENS) measurements. Experiment and simulation give evidence of the vitrification of P3HT upon blending and the plasticization of PCBM by P3HT. Second, we reconstruct the QENS signal based on the independent simulations of the three phases constituting the complex microstructure of such blends. Finally, we found that P3HT chains tend to wrap around PCBM molecules in the amorphous mixture of P3HT and PCBM; this molecular interaction between P3HT and PCBM is likely to be responsible for the observed frustration of P3HT, the plasticization of PCBM, and the partial miscibility of P3HT and PCBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne A Y Guilbert
- Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed Zbiri
- Institut Laue-Langevin , 71 avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble Cedex 9, 38042 France
| | - Alan D F Dunbar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield , Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Nelson
- Centre for Plastic Electronics and Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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20
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Root SE, Savagatrup S, Printz AD, Rodriquez D, Lipomi DJ. Mechanical Properties of Organic Semiconductors for Stretchable, Highly Flexible, and Mechanically Robust Electronics. Chem Rev 2017; 117:6467-6499. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 465] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E. Root
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Suchol Savagatrup
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Adam D. Printz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Daniel Rodriquez
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Darren J. Lipomi
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
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21
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Alessandri R, Uusitalo JJ, de Vries AH, Havenith RWA, Marrink SJ. Bulk Heterojunction Morphologies with Atomistic Resolution from Coarse-Grain Solvent Evaporation Simulations. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:3697-3705. [PMID: 28209056 PMCID: PMC5355903 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b11717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Control
over the morphology of the active layer of bulk heterojunction
(BHJ) organic solar cells is paramount to achieve high-efficiency
devices. However, no method currently available can predict morphologies
for a novel donor–acceptor blend. An approach which allows
reaching relevant length scales, retaining chemical specificity, and
mimicking experimental fabrication conditions, and which is suited
for high-throughput schemes has been proven challenging to find. Here,
we propose a method to generate atom-resolved morphologies of BHJs
which conforms to these requirements. Coarse-grain (CG) molecular
dynamics simulations are employed to simulate the large-scale morphological
organization during solution-processing. The use of CG models which
retain chemical specificity translates into a direct path to the rational
design of donor and acceptor compounds which differ only slightly
in chemical nature. Finally, the direct retrieval of fully atomistic
detail is possible through backmapping, opening the way for improved
quantum mechanical calculations addressing the charge separation mechanism.
The method is illustrated for the poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) (P3HT)–phenyl-C61-butyric
acid methyl ester (PCBM) mixture, and found to predict morphologies
in agreement with experimental data. The effect of drying rate, P3HT
molecular weight, and thermal annealing are investigated extensively,
resulting in trends mimicking experimental findings. The proposed
methodology can help reduce the parameter space which has to be explored
before obtaining optimal morphologies not only for BHJ solar cells
but also for any other solution-processed soft matter device.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Remco W A Havenith
- Ghent Quantum Chemistry Group, Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Ghent University , Krijgslaan 281 (S3), B-9000 Gent, Belgium
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22
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Mateker WR, McGehee MD. Progress in Understanding Degradation Mechanisms and Improving Stability in Organic Photovoltaics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1603940. [PMID: 28004854 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201603940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the degradation mechanisms of organic photovoltaics is particularly important, as they tend to degrade faster than their inorganic counterparts, such as silicon and cadmium telluride. An overview is provided here of the main degradation mechanisms that researchers have identified so far that cause extrinsic degradation from oxygen and water, intrinsic degradation in the dark, and photo-induced burn-in. In addition, it provides methods for researchers to identify these mechanisms in new materials and device structures to screen them more quickly for promising long-term performance. These general strategies will likely be helpful in other photovoltaic technologies that suffer from insufficient stability, such as perovskite solar cells. Finally, the most promising lifetime results are highlighted and recommendations to improve long-term performance are made. To prevent degradation from oxygen and water for sufficiently long time periods, OPVs will likely need to be encapsulated by barrier materials with lower permeation rates of oxygen and water than typical flexible substrate materials. To improve stability at operating temperatures, materials will likely require glass transition temperatures above 100 °C. Methods to prevent photo-induced burn-in are least understood, but recent research indicates that using pure materials with dense and ordered film morphologies can reduce the burn-in effect.
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23
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Borzdun NI, Larin SV, Falkovich SG, Nazarychev VM, Volgin IV, Yakimansky AV, Lyulin AV, Negi V, Bobbert PA, Lyulin SV. Molecular dynamics simulation of poly(3-hexylthiophene) helical structureIn Vacuoand in amorphous polymer surrounding. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.24236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I. Borzdun
- Department of Physics; St. Petersburg State University; St. Petersburg 198504 Russia
| | - Sergey V. Larin
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
| | - Stanislav G. Falkovich
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
| | - Victor M. Nazarychev
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
| | - Igor V. Volgin
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
| | - Alexander V. Yakimansky
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
- Saint-Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics, and Optics; St. Petersburg 197101 Russia
| | - Alexey V. Lyulin
- Department of Applied Physics; Technische Universiteit Eindhoven; P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Vikas Negi
- Department of Applied Physics; Technische Universiteit Eindhoven; P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. Bobbert
- Department of Applied Physics; Technische Universiteit Eindhoven; P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Sergey V. Lyulin
- Department of Physics; St. Petersburg State University; St. Petersburg 198504 Russia
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg 199004 Russia
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24
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Perea JD, Langner S, Salvador M, Kontos J, Jarvas G, Winkler F, Machui F, Görling A, Dallos A, Ameri T, Brabec CJ. Combined Computational Approach Based on Density Functional Theory and Artificial Neural Networks for Predicting The Solubility Parameters of Fullerenes. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:4431-8. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b00787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Darío Perea
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefan Langner
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Salvador
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Instituto
de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Av.
Rovisco Pais, P-1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Janos Kontos
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pannonia, Egyetem Street 10, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Gabor Jarvas
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pannonia, Egyetem Street 10, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Florian Winkler
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Machui
- Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE Bayern), Haberstrasse 2a, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Görling
- Lehrstuhl
für Theoretische Chemie and Interdisciplinary Center for Interface
Controlled Processes, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andras Dallos
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Pannonia, Egyetem Street 10, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tayebeh Ameri
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph J. Brabec
- Institute
of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (ZAE Bayern), Haberstrasse 2a, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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25
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Root SE, Savagatrup S, Pais CJ, Arya G, Lipomi DJ. Predicting the Mechanical Properties of Organic Semiconductors Using Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E. Root
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Suchol Savagatrup
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Christopher J. Pais
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Gaurav Arya
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
| | - Darren J. Lipomi
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, California 92093-0448, United States
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26
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Zhao B, Awartani O, O'Connor B, Zikry MA. Microstructural behavior and failure mechanisms of organic semicrystalline thin film blends. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bingxiao Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina 27695
| | - Omar Awartani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina 27695
| | - Brendan O'Connor
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina 27695
| | - Mohammed A. Zikry
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina 27695
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27
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Awartani OM, Zhao B, Currie T, Kline RJ, Zikry MA, O’Connor BT. Anisotropic Elastic Modulus of Oriented Regioregular Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Films. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Omar M. Awartani
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Bingxiao Zhao
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Tyler Currie
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - R. Joseph Kline
- Material
Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Mohammed A. Zikry
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Brendan T. O’Connor
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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