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Predicitve modeling of nanoscale domain morphology in solution-processed organic thin films
Physics Review Materials (2017)
  • Stephen R. McDowall, Western Washington University
  • Cyrus Schaaf, Western Washington University
  • Michael Jenkins, Western Washington University
  • Robell Morehouse, Western Washington University
  • Dane Stanfield, Western Washington University
  • Brad L Johnson, Western Washington University
  • David L. Patrick, Western Washington University
Abstract
The electronic and optoelectronic properties of molecular semiconductor thin films are directly linked to their extrinsic nanoscale structural characteristics such as domain size and spatial distributions. In films prepared by common solution-phase deposition techniques such as spin casting and solvent-based printing, morphology is governed by a complex interrelated set of thermodynamic and kinetic factors that classical models fail to adequately capture, leaving them unable to provide much insight, let alone predictive design guidance for tailoring films with specific nanostructural characteristics. Here we introduce a comprehensive treatment of solution-based film formation enabling quantitative prediction of domain formation rates, coverage, and spacing statistics based on a small number of experimentally measureable parameters. The model combines a mean-field rate equation treatment of monomer aggregation kinetics with classical nucleation theory and a supersaturation-dependent critical nucleus size to solve for the quasi-two-dimensional temporally and spatially varying monomer concentration, nucleation rate, and other properties. Excellent agreement is observed with measured nucleation densities and interdomain radial distribution functions in polycrystalline tetracene films. Numerical solutions lead to a set of general design rules enabling predictive morphological control in solution-processed molecular crystalline films.
Publication Date
Fall September 11, 2017
DOI
10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.1.043404
Citation Information
Stephen R. McDowall, Cyrus Schaaf, Michael Jenkins, Robell Morehouse, et al.. "Predicitve modeling of nanoscale domain morphology in solution-processed organic thin films" Physics Review Materials Vol. 1 Iss. 4 (2017) p. 043404 - 043413
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephen_mcdowall/9/