Toward well-defined metal-polymer interfaces: temperature-controlled suppression of subsurface diffusion and reaction at the calcium/poly(3-hexylthiophene) interface.

The thickness of the reaction zone at the interface between calcium and regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene), which is one of the best performing metal/polymer combinations in photovoltaic devices, depends critically on the temperature of the polymer during the initial phase of metal deposition. It is shown that deposition at 130 K reduces the thickness of the reaction zone, an effect that also persists after warming to room temperature.