Structure-Property Interrelations in Non-Crystalline Semiconducting Polymers for Organic Electronics

Abstract

This thesis presents 3 timely studies on materials science aspects of polymeric semiconductors. The idea is to understand and control the morphology of the polymers to improve and tune their optoelectronic properties. The first chapter (chapter 3) deals with the study of the active layer of an organic solar cell. The glass transition of the bulk heterojunction is studied to determine the composition of the intermix phase on the active layer. The second chapter (chapter 4) is focused on the study of the solid-state microstructure of the high-mobility polymer IDTBT, which has been claimed to be “nearly amorphous” polymer and thus confronts the general idea that good electrical properties stem from high crystallinity. In the third experimental chapter (chapter 5) I stablish that, like crystalline regions, glassy regions can be also manipulated to optoelectronic properties in semiconducting polymers.