Delocalized polarons in self-assembled poly(3-hexyl thiophene) nanocrystals

We have studied the characteristic properties of charged excitations (polarons) in thin films of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RRPHT) by optical spectroscopies. We found that the increased interchain coupling that exists in self-assembled lamellae in these films drastically changes the properties of the polaron excitations. The traditional self-localized polaron in one-dimension delocalizes in two-dimensions, resulting in a much-reduced relaxation energy and multiple absorption bands, the most dominant being in the mid-infrared (IR) spectral range. Also it has associated IR and Raman active vibrations with reverse absorption bands [anti-resonances (AR)] compared with the continuum electronic band. The AR are attributed to the electron–phonon interaction.