TY - JOUR
T1 - The influence of UV radiation and ozone exposure on the electronic properties of poly-3-octyl-thiophene thin films
AU - Abad, Jose
AU - Espinosa Martinez, Nieves
AU - García-Valverde, Rafael
AU - Colchero, Jaime
AU - Urbina, Antonio
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - The modification of the conductivity as well as the nanoscale morphology and electrostatic properties of poly-3-octyl-thiophene (P3OT) thin films have been studied as these films are irradiated by ultraviolet light (UV). Films of about 100nm thickness were prepared by spin-coating a P3OT solution in toluene on glass substrates. The samples were characterized by electronic transport measurements and non-contact scanning force microscopy (NC-SFM) for every cycle of UV radiation. Nanoscale topographic and electrostatic characterization using NC-SFM were performed on the same location using a specially designed sample holder. A two stage degradation process has been observed, the first one presents a chemical modification of the polymer (decoloration of sample) and free carrier mobility reduction, the second one is characterized by a strong structural modification, thickness reduction, oxygen doping and further mobility reduction. The comparison of these results on P3OT with other studies performed on P3HT will allow for a detailed analysis of the role of side-chains in the degradation mechanism upon UV irradiation.
AB - The modification of the conductivity as well as the nanoscale morphology and electrostatic properties of poly-3-octyl-thiophene (P3OT) thin films have been studied as these films are irradiated by ultraviolet light (UV). Films of about 100nm thickness were prepared by spin-coating a P3OT solution in toluene on glass substrates. The samples were characterized by electronic transport measurements and non-contact scanning force microscopy (NC-SFM) for every cycle of UV radiation. Nanoscale topographic and electrostatic characterization using NC-SFM were performed on the same location using a specially designed sample holder. A two stage degradation process has been observed, the first one presents a chemical modification of the polymer (decoloration of sample) and free carrier mobility reduction, the second one is characterized by a strong structural modification, thickness reduction, oxygen doping and further mobility reduction. The comparison of these results on P3OT with other studies performed on P3HT will allow for a detailed analysis of the role of side-chains in the degradation mechanism upon UV irradiation.
U2 - 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.12.032
DO - 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.12.032
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0927-0248
VL - 95
SP - 1326
EP - 1332
JO - Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells
JF - Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells
IS - 5
ER -