Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Heiber, Michael C.
Language:English
Published: University of Akron / OhioLINK 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353092083
id ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-akron1353092083
record_format oai_dc
spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-akron13530920832021-08-03T05:27:07Z Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells Heiber, Michael C. Materials Science Physics organic solar cells monte carlo simulation exciton delocalization polymers <p>The efficient exciton dissociation and subsequent charge separation occurring in optimized polymer:fullerene devices has been difficult to understand and simulate. Both exciton delocalization and hot charge separation are proposed to facilitate charge separation. To test these theories, both conceptual models were implemented into a dynamic Monte Carlo (DMC) simulation and tested using a simple bilayer device architecture. Using experimentally determined parameters, exciton delocalization accounted for a significant reduction in geminate recombination when compared to the traditional, bound polaron pair model. In addition, the hot charge separation process was able to further reduce the geminate recombination, but only when the hot charge mobility was several orders of magnitude larger than the standard charge mobility.</p><p>Given the apparent importance of exciton delocalization, the magnitude of exciton delocalization in regioregular P3HT was investigated further. By fitting exciton delocalization models to previously published experimental data, two separate estimates for the magnitude of exciton delocalization were extracted. A simple lattice model was fit to exciton-exciton annihilation behavior in P3HT films and a detailed DMC model was fit to exciton dissociation dynamics of P3HT:PCBM blend films, leading to exciton delocalization radius estimates of 1.6±0.25 nm and 1.9±0.6 nm, respectively, which were significantly smaller than previously published values.</p><p>With such a low magnitude of exciton delocalization, the first exciton dissociation model proposed predicted a large magnitude of geminate recombination. By including charge delocalization, it was hypothesized that formation of a bound polaron pair would be prohibited, resulting in a significant reduction in geminate recombination. This concept was implemented using a simple spherical bead model for both exciton and charge delocalization. To test this model in a more experimentally relevant device, a model bulk heterojunction device was used. In addition, test conditions were expanded to investigate a range of electric fields. A massive reduction in geminate recombination was observed simply by increasing the delocalization radius from 0.5 to 1.5 nm. As a result, it was concluded that both exciton and charge delocalization are dominant factors controlling the exciton dissociation dynamics and the geminate recombination behavior in P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells.</p> 2012-12-10 English text University of Akron / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353092083 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353092083 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Materials Science
Physics
organic solar cells
monte carlo
simulation
exciton
delocalization
polymers
spellingShingle Materials Science
Physics
organic solar cells
monte carlo
simulation
exciton
delocalization
polymers
Heiber, Michael C.
Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
author Heiber, Michael C.
author_facet Heiber, Michael C.
author_sort Heiber, Michael C.
title Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
title_short Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
title_full Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
title_fullStr Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
title_full_unstemmed Dynamic Monte Carlo Modeling of Exciton Dissociation and Geminate Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
title_sort dynamic monte carlo modeling of exciton dissociation and geminate recombination in organic solar cells
publisher University of Akron / OhioLINK
publishDate 2012
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1353092083
work_keys_str_mv AT heibermichaelc dynamicmontecarlomodelingofexcitondissociationandgeminaterecombinationinorganicsolarcells
_version_ 1719420273198891008