We describe a study on the morphology of thin films processed from equiweight solution blends of the electron donor regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with the electron acceptor 3″-methyl,4″-hexyl-2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴:5‴,2′‴-quinquethiophene-1″,1″-dioxide (T5HOM). Spin-coated films supported on a glass/ITO/PEDOT : PSS substrate have been prepared with systematic variation of the type of solvent. Scanning Force Microscopy investigations revealed that, depending on the solvent type, different kinds of complex phase segregated morphologies on the sub-micrometer scale can be obtained. The formation of either lateral or vertical phase segregated structures is primarily governed by the different tendency of the two molecular systems to self-aggregate in the given solvent. A minor role can also be ascribed to an interfacial recognition phenomenon. Among the different architectures obtained, phase separated T5OHM crystals with sizes of hundreds of nanometers embedded in a P3HT grainy amorphous matrix seems to be the most suitable candidate for photovoltaic applications.

This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of transferring alkali activation technology to the ceramic tile production by developing tiles based on metakaolin and ceramic tile waste by uniaxial pressing. Optimization of the tile formulations was achieved by adjusting precursor composition (metakaolin or combination of metakaolin and ceramic tile waste), NaOH molarity, and overall water content. After uniaxial pressing at 50 MPa, alkali-activated tiles were consolidated at 50 °C for 24 h. Physical and mechanical properties were assessed following ISO test methods for ceramic tiles, allowing direct comparison with the ISO classification requirements. The more promising formulations highlight a water absorption by vacuum test method (ISO 10545-3) equal to 15%, thus allowing a BIII classification according to ISO 13006. Finally, thermal stability up to 850 °C was determined, thus allowing alkali-activated tiles to be industrially glazed.