Role of amorphous and aggregate phases on field-induced exciton dissociation in a conjugated polymer

We have applied electric field assisted pump-probe spectroscopy in order to unravel the interplay of amorphous and aggregate phases on the polaron-pair photogeneration process in a conjugated porphyrin polymer. We find that excitons photogenerated in both phases are precursors for polaron pairs with different yields. Kinetic modeling indicates a substantially larger barrier for exciton dissociation in aggregates compared to amorphous areas. The majority of polaron pairs are however formed in aggregate phases due to efficient energy transfer from the amorphous phase. Based on the change in the Stark shift associated with the photogenerated polaron density, we provide a picture of the motion of polaron pairs under the external electric field. © 2013 American Physical Society.