Ideal diode equation for organic heterojunctions. II. the role of polaron pair recombination

N. C. Giebink, B. E. Lassiter, G. P. Wiederrecht, M. R. Wasielewski, S. R. Forrest

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

229 Scopus citations

Abstract

In paper I, we proposed that current transport in a donor-acceptor heterojunction (HJ) depends on the balance of polaron pair (PP) dissociation and recombination. Here, we directly investigate these processes in archetype planar copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/C60 and boron subpthalocyanine chloride (SubPc)/C60 HJs. Using intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) along with emission from interfacial Pc/ C60 exciplex states, we monitor the geminate PP density at the HJ as a function of bias and illumination intensity. We find that the SubPc/ C60 PP density is limited by the dynamics of dissociation, where it increases from short circuit, and peaks at open circuit. In contrast, that of CuPc/ C 60 is dominated by faster recombination kinetics and declines monotonically over the same voltage domain. We conclude that the PP recombination rate depends on electric field, and propose a simple expression that qualitatively explains the observed exciplex luminescence and IMPS behavior for these HJs. Our results provide insight into polaron pair recombination, which governs the current-voltage characteristics of organic heterojunctions in the dark and under illumination.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number155306
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume82
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 4 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ideal diode equation for organic heterojunctions. II. the role of polaron pair recombination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this