Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T01:37:01.795Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Characterization of Thin Polymer Blend Films using ESEM – No Charging, No Staining.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Ian C. Bache ,
Catherine M. Ramsdale ,
D. Steve Thomas ,
Ana-Claudia Arias ,
J. Devin MacKenzie ,
Richard H. Friend ,
Neil C. Greenham  and
Athene M. Donald
Ian C. Bache
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Catherine M. Ramsdale
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
D. Steve Thomas
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Ana-Claudia Arias
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
J. Devin MacKenzie
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Richard H. Friend
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Neil C. Greenham
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Athene M. Donald
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
Get access

Abstract

Characterising the morphology of thin films for use in device applications requires the ability to study both the structure within the plane of the film, and also through its thickness. Environmental scanning electron microscopy has proved to be a fruitful technique for the study of such films both because contrast can be seen within the film without the need for staining (as is conventionally done for electron microscopy), and because cross-sectional images can be obtained without charging artefacts. The application of ESEM to a particular blend of relevance to photovoltaics is described.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 707: Symposium AA – Self-Assemble Processes in Materials , 2001 , AA10.8.1/DD11.8.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Arias, A C, MacKenzie, J, Stevenson, R et al., “Photovoltaic Performance and Morphology of Polyfluorene Blends: A Combined Microscopic and Photovoltaic Investigation,” Macromolecules 34, 6005–13 (2001).Google Scholar
2. Arias, A-C, “Conjugated polymer phase separation and three dimensional thin film structure for photovoltaics,” PhD, Cambridge University, 2001.Google Scholar
3. Danilatos, G D, “Review and outline of environmental SEM at present,” J. Microscopy 162, 391–402 (1990).Google Scholar
4. Stokes, D J, Thiel, B L, and Donald, A M, “Direct observation of water-oil emulsion systems in the liquid stated by environmental SEM,” Langmuir 14, 4402–8 (1998).Google Scholar