LESR Study on P3DDT/PCBM composites for solar cells. Line shape analysis and spin relaxation parameters

The effective charge separation has been verified by two LESR signals which were observed only under light excitation. LESR signals can be attributed to positive polarons (P+) on the polymer chain with a g-factor giso = gy = 2.0022 and to radical anions of PCBM (P-) molecules with giso = 1.9995. Contrary to the situation in P3AT class polymer with C60 dark signals were absent for both types of radicals. Consequently the fact of the charge separation processes after light excitation of P3DDT/PCBM was clearly detected. Detailed line shape analysis was carried out. Calculated anisotropic g-factors and anisotropic linewidth components for both the Q- and D- bands cases are gathered. Spectrum of polaron was recorded and opposite to the PCBM radical has a very close g-values. Hence it is possible to separate linewidth broadening connected with g-factors anisotropy but one waveband ESR experiment cannot separate the frequency dependent part of ESR linewidth which most probably include the information about the polaron mobility. The effective T2 without anisotropic broadening was calculated by simulation of experiment and relaxation parameters for both relative P3DDT/PCBM concentrations were calculated. The difference (5-6 times) between T1 values for P+ and P- radical is in agreement with the results published for analogical composites before.