Solubility of P3HT in chloroform and chloroform:acetone mixtures: A spin-echo SANS study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Bernardo, G (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP; Parnell, SR (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Materials Letters

Vol. 393 No. 138606

ISSN: 0167-577X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-018-M88

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138606

Abstract (EN): P3HT is a semiconducting polymer widely used in solution-processable photovoltaic research. Measuring the solubility of P3HT in organic solvents is usually an arduous and time-consuming process. Here we report the presence or absence of P3HT nanoparticle agglomeration in optically opaque solutions of P3HT, with concentrations ranging from 6.2 to 22.0 mg·mL¿1, in pure chloroform and in chloroform:acetone mixtures, using the neutron scattering technique, Spin-Echo Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SESANS). We demonstrate in-situ that the solubility of P3HT decreases from ~ 22.0 mg/mL to < 6.2 mg/mL when the amount of acetone in solution increases from 0 vol% to 60 vol%. This work uses the ability of SESANS to probe P3HT nanoparticle aggregates, with dimensions ranging from ~ 1 to several microns, in P3HT solutions with concentrations above the solubility limit. © 2025

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific