Extension of the spectral responsivity of the photocurrent in solution-processed small molecule composite via a charge transfer excitation

Abstract

Incorporating [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in solution-processed composites comprising the two small molecular semiconductors 9,10-Diphenylanthracene (DPA) and 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (Rubrene) extends significantly the onset wavelength of the steady-state photoconductivity from 610 nm in the pristine DPA:Rubrene composite to 900 nm in the DPA:Rubrene:PCBM composite. The experimental data indicate carrier generation in the near IR spectral region arising from inter-molecular charge transfer (IMCT) excitation that potentially could be useful for extending solar radiation light harvesting. Pump/probe photoinduced absorption (PIA) measurements indicate instantaneous carrier generation at sub-band-gap photon energies, confirming the viability of IMCT excitations as the underlying carrier generation mechanism at the near IR spectral region.