High-resolution monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy of organic photovoltaic materials

Alexander, J. A., Scheltens, F. J., Drummy, L. F., Durstock, M. F., Hage, F. S., Ramasse, Q. M. and McComb, D. W. (2017) High-resolution monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy of organic photovoltaic materials. Ultramicroscopy, 180, pp. 125-132. (doi: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2017.03.004) (PMID:28284703)

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Abstract

Advances in electron monochromator technology are providing opportunities for high energy resolution (10 – 200 meV) electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) to be performed in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The energy-loss near-edge structure in core-loss spectroscopy is often limited by core-hole lifetimes rather than the energy spread of the incident illumination. However, in the valence-loss region, the reduced width of the zero loss peak makes it possible to resolve clearly and unambiguously spectral features at very low energy-losses (<3 eV). In this contribution, high-resolution EELS was used to investigate four materials commonly used in organic photovoltaics (OPVs): poly(3-hexlythiophene) (P3HT), [6,6] phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), and fullerene (C60). Data was collected on two different monochromated instruments – a Nion UltraSTEM 100 MC ‘HERMES’ and a FEI Titan3 60–300 Image-Corrected S/TEM – using energy resolutions (as defined by the zero loss peak full-width at half-maximum) of 35 meV and 175 meV, respectively. The data was acquired to allow deconvolution of plural scattering, and Kramers–Kronig analysis was utilized to extract the complex dielectric functions. The real and imaginary parts of the complex dielectric functions obtained from the two instruments were compared to evaluate if the enhanced resolution in the Nion provides new opto-electronic information for these organic materials. The differences between the spectra are discussed, and the implications for STEM-EELS studies of advanced materials are considered.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hage, Dr Fredrik Sydow
Authors: Alexander, J. A., Scheltens, F. J., Drummy, L. F., Durstock, M. F., Hage, F. S., Ramasse, Q. M., and McComb, D. W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Ultramicroscopy
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0304-3991
ISSN (Online):1879-2723
Published Online:02 March 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
First Published:First published in Ultramicroscopy 180: 125-132
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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