Thermomechanical Stability of Organic Semiconductors

Organic semiconductors (OSC) used as active materials often suffer from long-term environmental and operational stability. For OSC used in solar cell applications, the stability of the multi-phase morphology, a key parameter in efficient device operation, has been suggested to be reliant on the nature and strength of the intermolecular interactions within the both the pure and blend material phases. Here, we will derive multi-scale understanding as to how the construction of the molecular and polymeric building blocks, including both the π-conjugated backbone and pendant side chains, impact the thermomechanical characteristics of these materials as single-component systems, as blends, and at materials interfaces. We will also consider the nature of the local morphologies – whether they are crystalline or amorphous. Information gained from the multiscale understanding derived herein will then be used to develop in silico models to design OSC.