Abstract
Mechano-optoelectronic (MO) behavior indicates changes in optoelectronic properties in response to the applied mechanical deformation. The MO behavior can be employed to monitor the mechanical deformation of a targeted system by tracing its optoelectronic properties. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) blend thin films exhibited changes in direct current under tensile strain. Although optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of P3HT/PCBM blends have been studied extensively and intensively, research required for MO properties has a fundamental difference from previous research mostly for solar cells. In research for MO systems, a greater extent of changes in optoelectronic properties under mechanical deformation is favorable. Herein, previous research for optoelectronic properties and mechanical properties of conjugated polymers will be reviewed from a perspective on MO properties. The microstructure of a conjugated polymer thin film plays a pivotal role in its optoelectronic properties and mechanical properties. Key parameters involved in the microstructure of conjugated polymer thin films will be addressed. A scalable process is required to broaden applications of MO systems. Potential challenges in the fabrication of MO conjugated polymer thin films will be discussed. Finally, this review is envisioned to provide insight into the design and manufacturing of MO conjugated polymer thin films.
Highlights
Conjugated polymers have broadened their engineering application thanks to the unique multifunctionality of exhibiting optoelectronic properties and mechanical flexibility by creating novel electronics that traditional inorganic semiconductors were not able to make available [1]
The organic photovoltaics (OPVs)’ radiant-electrical energy conversion mechanism is fundamentally identical to the mechanism of the inorganic PVs, which creates an exciton at a p-n junction upon impinging of photons to result in dissociation of the hole and electron, which are pushed toward one and the other electrodes under potential gradient to create a direct current [14]
Unlike the inorganic PVs that have layered up p- and n-semiconductors to form a plane junction, OPVs have dissociation spots in p-n bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structures [15,16]
Summary
Conjugated polymers have broadened their engineering application thanks to the unique multifunctionality of exhibiting optoelectronic properties and mechanical flexibility by creating novel electronics that traditional inorganic semiconductors were not able to make available [1]. A strong relationship between microstructures and optoelectronic properties of the conjugated polymers needs to be taken into account when designing flexible electronics as those can potentially undergo mechanical deformation that results in a change in microstructures. More attention in the materials science community is on enlightening how the mechanical strain applied onto the BHJ thin films affects the microstructures of the conjugated polymers and hole and electron dissociations and transfers at the molecular scale. From the engineer’s perspective, varying optoelectronic properties due to change in microstructures of the thin films subjected to mechanical deformation are considered a unique material property of the conjugated polymers. Behavior indicates varying optoelectronic properties of the conjugated polymer thin films subjected to the applied mechanical deformation.
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