Effects of Triphenylborane Addition to Decaphenylcyclopentasilane Thin Films

Organic thin film solar cells are potential ‘next generation’ solar cells. Many p-type semiconductors have been used in organic solar cells, but there have been far fewer reports involving n-type organic semiconductors. Developing new n-type organic semiconductors is therefore desirable. Decaphenylpentasilane (DPPS) thin films were spin-coated from solutions containing boron (B), and the effects of B addition on film microstructures and electronic properties were investigated. Microstructures of DPPS thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, and DPPS thin films doped with B (DPPS(B)) showed the reduction of crystallinity upon annealing at 300 °C, while DPPS thin films exhibited crystalline structures. DPPS(B) thin films exhibited decreased electrical resistances upon the B doping and annealing. The desorption of phenyl and methyl groups from the DPPS(B) thin films was observed by Raman scattering measurements.