Determination of the solubility parameters and agglomeration behaviour of conjugated polymers and fullerenes via a binary solvent gradient method

Organic solar cells based on polymer and fullerenes depend upon solution processing such as spin coating, spray coating and inkjet printing. In order to be processed a high degree of polymer and fullerene in a given solvent. Determination of the solubility is often done using optical methods. However in opaque systems this is not possible.

By using spin-echo SANS we will be able to detect the onset of the formation of structures, this is the solubility limit. Hence this very elegant method will allow us to achieve a more accurate determination of the solubility parameters of different polymers and fullerenes. This in turn will allow us to refine solar cell fabrication.