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Enhanced Structure and Crystallinity of Semiconducting Polymer Films Through Electrospray Deposition

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Date Issued:
2015
Abstract/Description:
Electrospray atomization is a method that uses electrical stresses as the means of generatingcharged droplets. The fundamental working principles of electrospray have previously been extensivelystudied and demonstrated to have monodisperse droplet size distribution, good stabilityand scalability. Electrospray is a bottom-up deposition method which opens up the possibility of aroll-to-roll compatible process and is functional at regular atmospheric conditions. Due to this setof positive qualities, this atomization method holds promise as a means of solution based materialprocessing that is cost effective and scalable. Conjugated polymers are among the solution processablematerials of most interest, poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT) standing out as one of the mostextensively studied. Applications of P3HT as a p-type semiconductor have been demonstrated indevices like organic solar cells, light emitting diodes and transistors. Improvements in the performanceof the mentioned devices have been correlated with a higher degree of crystallinity as wellas the film structure in the case of organic solar cells.The effects of different electrospray process parameters are investigated and various P3HT filmstructures are presented in this study. Electric repulsion present within the droplets in electrosprayand evaporation of the solvent were used to obtain high aspect ratio features on the P3HT films. Aclever design for the electrospray nozzle devised to improve the process stability is presented. Also,the crystallinity of the films was characterized using grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD)and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. All results in this study are presented as a comparison tospin coated control process. The GIXRD results suggest that the electrospray process producescrystallites that have an orientation opposite of the orientation observed in the spin coated process.Analysis of the ultraviolet visible spectroscopy absorption spectrum shows a red-shift, signalingan increase in the crystallinity. Lastly, good contact between the deposited P3HT and the substratewas confirmed using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM).iii
Title: Enhanced Structure and Crystallinity of Semiconducting Polymer Films Through Electrospray Deposition.
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Name(s): Rodriguez, Johan, Author
Deng, Weiwei, Committee Chair
Challapalli, Suryanarayana, Committee Member
Orlovskaya, Nina, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Electrospray atomization is a method that uses electrical stresses as the means of generatingcharged droplets. The fundamental working principles of electrospray have previously been extensivelystudied and demonstrated to have monodisperse droplet size distribution, good stabilityand scalability. Electrospray is a bottom-up deposition method which opens up the possibility of aroll-to-roll compatible process and is functional at regular atmospheric conditions. Due to this setof positive qualities, this atomization method holds promise as a means of solution based materialprocessing that is cost effective and scalable. Conjugated polymers are among the solution processablematerials of most interest, poly(3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT) standing out as one of the mostextensively studied. Applications of P3HT as a p-type semiconductor have been demonstrated indevices like organic solar cells, light emitting diodes and transistors. Improvements in the performanceof the mentioned devices have been correlated with a higher degree of crystallinity as wellas the film structure in the case of organic solar cells.The effects of different electrospray process parameters are investigated and various P3HT filmstructures are presented in this study. Electric repulsion present within the droplets in electrosprayand evaporation of the solvent were used to obtain high aspect ratio features on the P3HT films. Aclever design for the electrospray nozzle devised to improve the process stability is presented. Also,the crystallinity of the films was characterized using grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD)and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. All results in this study are presented as a comparison tospin coated control process. The GIXRD results suggest that the electrospray process producescrystallites that have an orientation opposite of the orientation observed in the spin coated process.Analysis of the ultraviolet visible spectroscopy absorption spectrum shows a red-shift, signalingan increase in the crystallinity. Lastly, good contact between the deposited P3HT and the substratewas confirmed using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM).iii
Identifier: CFE0005879 (IID), ucf:50881 (fedora)
Note(s): 2015-08-01
M.S.M.E.
Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Aerospace Engr
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Electrospray -- P3HT
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005879
Restrictions on Access: public 2015-08-15
Host Institution: UCF

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