Using scanning probe microscopy to study the effect of molecular weight of poly(3-hexylthiophene) on the performance of poly(3-hexylthiophene):TiO2 nanorod photovoltaic devices

We have studied the effect of polymer molecular weight on the performance of poly(3-hexylthiophene):TiO2 hybrid photovoltaic device using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The atomic force microscopic studies show the nanoscale morphology of the hybrid film changes from small domain size rod-like structure to large domain nodule-like structure with increasing the molecular weight of poly(3-hexylthiophene). The studies of SNOM of hybrid film reveal that the large domain structure of the high-molecular-weight P3HT hybrid film exhibits continuous absorption mapping as opposite to the discontinuous absorption mapping of the low-molecular-weight P3HT hybrid film. Both results suggest the improvement in device efficiency from high-molecular-weight P3HT is due to the formation of large domain structure with increased carrier mobility and light harvesting.