Multilayer formation in spin-coated thin films of low-bandgap polyfluorene:PCBM blends

Blends of the low-bandgap polymer poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl- 2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole)] (APFO-3) and the fullerene deriv. [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid Me ester (PCBM) were spin-coated from chloroform soln. into thin films, which were examd. with dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. For blends with high PCBM content, the depth profiles show compn. waves that were caused by surface-directed phase sepn. during spin-coating. The formation of such multilayer structures by spontaneous self-stratification probably has implications for optimization strategies for the performance of org. solar cells. [on SciFinder (R)]