Phase behavior of π-conjugated polymer and non-fullerene acceptor (PTB7-Th:ITIC) solutions and blends

Phase diagrams of ternary π-bonded polymer (PTB7-Th) solutions were constructed as a function of molecular weight, temperature, and electron acceptor species (ITIC, PC(61)BM and PC(71)BM). For this purpose, the Flory–Huggins lattice theory was employed with a constant χ interaction parameter, describing a binodal, spinodal, tie line, and critical point. Then, the morphologies of the blends composed of highly disordered PTB7-Th and crystallizable ITIC were investigated by atomic force microscopy. Subsequently, the surface polarities of the PTB7-Th:ITIC thin films were examined by water contact-angle goniometer, exhibiting a transition at the composition of ~ 60 ± 10 wt.% ITIC. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction indicated the presence of ITIC’s crystallites at ≥ 70 wt.% ITIC. Hence, the PTB7-Th:ITIC system was observed to undergo a phase transition at ~ 60–70 wt.% ITIC.