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Liu C, Lüer L, Corre VML, Forberich K, Weitz P, Heumüller T, Du X, Wortmann J, Zhang J, Wagner J, Ying L, Hauch J, Li N, Brabec CJ. Understanding Causalities in Organic Photovoltaics Device Degradation in a Machine-Learning-Driven High-Throughput Platform. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2300259. [PMID: 36961263 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells (OSCs) now approach power conversion efficiencies of 20%. However, in order to enter mass markets, problems in upscaling and operational lifetime have to be solved, both concerning the connection between processing conditions and active layer morphology. Morphological studies supporting the development of structure-process-property relations are time-consuming, complex, and expensive to undergo and for which statistics, needed to assess significance, are difficult to be collected. This work demonstrates that causal relationships between processing conditions, morphology, and stability can be obtained in a high-throughput method by combining low-cost automated experiments with data-driven analysis methods. An automatic spectral modeling feeds parametrized absorption data into a feature selection technique that is combined with Gaussian process regression to quantify deterministic relationships linking morphological features and processing conditions with device functionality. The effect of the active layer thickness and the morphological order is further modeled by drift-diffusion simulations and returns valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms for improving device stability by tuning the microstructure morphology with versatile approaches. Predicting microstructural features as a function of processing parameters is decisive know-how for the large-scale production of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Larry Lüer
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vincent M Le Corre
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karen Forberich
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul Weitz
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Heumüller
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyan Du
- School of Physics, Shandong University, 27 Shanda Nanlu, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Jonas Wortmann
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jiyun Zhang
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jerrit Wagner
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lei Ying
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Device, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jens Hauch
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ning Li
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Device, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Christoph J Brabec
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz-Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
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Wei Y, Zhou X, Cai Y, Li Y, Wang S, Fu Z, Sun R, Yu N, Li C, Huang K, Bi Z, Zhang X, Zhou Y, Hao X, Min J, Tang Z, Ma W, Sun Y, Huang H. High Performance As-Cast Organic Solar Cells Enabled by a Refined Double-Fibril Network Morphology and Improved Dielectric Constant of Active Layer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2403294. [PMID: 38657281 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202403294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
High performance organic solar cells (OSCs) are usually realized by using post-treatment and/or additive, which can induce the formation of metastable morphology, leading to unfavorable device stability. In terms of the industrial production, the development of high efficiency as-cast OSCs is crucially important, but it remains a great challenge to obtain appropriate active layer morphology and high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Here, efficient as-cast OSCs are constructed via introducing a new polymer acceptor PY-TPT with a high dielectric constant into the D18:L8-BO blend to form a double-fibril network morphology. Besides, the incorporation of PY-TPT enables an enhanced dielectric constant and lower exciton binding energy of active layer. Therefore, efficient exciton dissociation and charge transport are realized in D18:L8-BO:PY-TPT-based device, affording a record-high PCE of 18.60% and excellent photostability in absence of post-treatment. Moreover, green solvent-processed devices, thick-film (300 nm) devices, and module (16.60 cm2) are fabricated, which show PCEs of 17.45%, 17.54%, and 13.84%, respectively. This work brings new insight into the construction of efficient as-cast devices, pushing forward the practical application of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wei
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xianmin Zhou
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Cai
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yun Li
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Siying Wang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Fu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Rui Sun
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Na Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Congqi Li
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Kexin Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Material, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Zhaozhao Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Material, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yinhua Zhou
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Xiaotao Hao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Jie Min
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Material, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yanming Sun
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China
| | - Hui Huang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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Li F, Lin FR, Jen AKY. Current State and Future Perspectives of Printable Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307161. [PMID: 37828582 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Photovoltaic technology presents a sustainable solution to address the escalating global energy consumption and a reliable strategy for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Emerging photovoltaic technologies, especially the printable organic and perovskite solar cells, have attracted extensive attention due to their rapidly transcending power conversion efficiencies and facile processability, providing great potential to revolutionize the global photovoltaic market. To accelerate these technologies to translate from the laboratory scale to the industrial level, it is critical to develop well-defined and scalable protocols to deposit high-quality thin films of photoactive and charge-transporting materials. Herein, the current state of printable organic and perovskite solar cells is summarized and the view regarding the challenges and prospects toward their commercialization is shared. Different printing techniques are first introduced to provide a correlation between material properties and printing mechanisms, and the optimization of ink formulation and film-formation during large-area deposition of different functional layers in devices are then discussed. Engineering perspectives are also discussed to analyze the criteria for module design. Finally, perspectives are provided regarding the future development of these solar cells toward practical commercialization. It is believed that this perspective will provide insight into the development of printable solar cells and other electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhu Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong
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Kang J, Kim SY, Zong K. Facile Synthesis of Dithienobenzothiadiazoles and D18-Cl Polymer via Na 2S-Mediated Rapid Thiophene-Annulations for Organic Solar Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024:e202400055. [PMID: 38504635 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202400055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
We present a novel synthetic route for the rapid construction of dithieno[3',2':3,4;2'',3'':5,6]benzo[1,2-c][1,2,5]thiadiazoles via Na2S-promoted thiophene annulation. This method facilitated the synthesis of D18-Cl polymer, known for its efficacy as a polymer donor in bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells. Starting from commercially available 4,7-dihalo-5,6-difluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole, various 4,7-dialkynylated compounds were obtained through Sonogashira reaction conditions. Subsequent Na2S-promoted thiophene annulations yielded DTBT and its derivatives in excellent yields within 10 minutes. DTBT was then utilized as a precursor for the concise synthesis of D18-Cl, benefiting from reduced synthetic steps, mild reaction conditions, decreased complexity, and high overall yields. In another route, a space group-bridged DTBT was directly constructed via Na2S-promoted thiophene annulations and converted into D18-Cl through a couple of steps. This developed protocol offers a straightforward and reliable synthetic tool, conducive to reducing complexities in the production of DTBT-based organic electronic materials, thereby advancing the potential commercialization of organic solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmo Kang
- Department of Chemical Education, Institute of Fusion Science, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Yeong Kim
- Department of Chemical Education, Institute of Fusion Science, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyukwan Zong
- Department of Chemical Education, Institute of Fusion Science, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
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Chen Z, Zhang S, Ren J, Zhang T, Dai J, Wang J, Ma L, Qiao J, Hao X, Hou J. Molecular Design for Vertical Phase Distribution Modulation in High-Performance Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2310390. [PMID: 38433157 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Component distribution within the photoactive layer dictates the morphology and electronic structure and substantially influences the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). In this study, a molecular design strategy is introduced to manipulate component and energetics distribution by adjusting side-chain polarity. Two non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), ITIC-16F and ITIC-E, are synthesized by introducing different polar functional substituents onto the side chains of ITIC. The alterations result in different distribution tendencies in the bulk heterojunction film: ITIC-16F with intensified hydrophobicity aligns predominantly with the top surface, while ITIC-E with strong hydrophilicity gravitates toward the bottom. This divergence directly impacts the vertical distribution of the excitation energy levels, thereby influencing the excitation kinetics over extended time periods and larger spatial ranges including enhanced diffusion-mediated exciton dissociation and stimulated charge carrier transport. Benefitting from the favorable energy distribution, the device incorporating ITIC-E into the PBQx-TF:eC9-2Cl blend showcases an impressive power conversion efficiency of 19.4%. This work highlights side-chain polarity manipulation as a promising strategy for designing efficient NFA molecules and underscores the pivotal role of spatial energetics distribution in OSC performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shaoqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Biology Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Junzhen Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiangbo Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Lijiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Qiao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xiaotao Hao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Jianhui Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Chemistry and Biology Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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Peng J, Meng F, Cheng J, Lai X, Du M, Huang M, Zhang J, He F, Zhou E, Zhao D, Zhao B. Noncovalent Interaction Boosts Performance and Stability of Organic Solar Cells Based on Giant-Molecule Acceptors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:7317-7326. [PMID: 38305907 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Designing giant-molecule acceptors is deemed as an up-and-coming strategy to construct stable organic solar cells (OSCs) with high performance. Herein, two giant dimeric acceptors, namely, DYV and DYFV, have been designed and synthesized by linking two Y-series derivatives with a vinyl unit. DYFV exhibits more red-shifted absorption, down-shifted energy levels, and enhanced intermolecular packing than DYV because the intramolecular noncovalent interaction (H···F) of DYFV leads to better coplanarity of the backbone. The D18:DYFV film owns a distinct nanofibrous nanophase separation structure, a more dominant face-on orientation, and more balanced carrier mobilities. Therefore, the D18:DYFV OSC achieves a higher photoelectron conversion efficiency of 17.88% and a longer-term stability with a t80 over 45,000 h compared with the D18:DYV device. The study demonstrates that the intramolecular noncovalent interaction is a superior strategy to design giant-molecule acceptors and boost the photovoltaic performance and stability of the OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxun Peng
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Fei Meng
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Xue Lai
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute and Department of Chemistry and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Mengzhen Du
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Meihua Huang
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Feng He
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute and Department of Chemistry and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dongbing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Green Organic Synthesis and Application of Hunan Province, Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
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Liu C, Fu Y, Zhou J, Wang L, Guo C, Cheng J, Sun W, Chen C, Zhou J, Liu D, Li W, Wang T. Alkoxythiophene-Directed Fibrillization of Polymer Donor for Efficient Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308608. [PMID: 37996989 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Realizing fibrillar molecular framework is highly encouraged in organic solar cells (OSCs) due to the merit of efficient charge carrier transport. This is however mainly achieved via the chemical structural design of photovoltaic semiconductors. In this work, through the utilization of three alkoxythiophene additives, T-2OMe, T-OEH, and T-2OEH, the intermolecular interactions among a series of BDT-type polymer donors, i.e., PM6, D18, PBDB-T, and PTB7-Th, are tuned to self-assemble into nanofibrils during solution casting. X-ray technique and molecular dynamics simulation reveal that the alkoxythiophene with (2-ethylhexyl)oxy (─OEH) chains can attach on the 2-ethylhexyl (EH) chains of these polymer donors and promote their self-assembly into 1D nanofibrils, in their neat films as well as photovoltaic blends with L8-BO. By adapting these fibrillar polymer donors to construct pseudo-bulk heterojunction (P-BHJ) OSCs via layer-by-layer deposition, generally improved device performance is seen, with power conversion efficiencies enhanced from 18.2% to 19.2% (certified 18.96%) and from 17.9% to 18.7% for the PM6/L8-BO and D18/L8-BO devices, respectively. This work provides a physical approach to promote the fibrillar charge transport channels for efficient photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yiwei Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jinpeng Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chuanhang Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jingchao Cheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wei Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- School of Materials and Microelectronics, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
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8
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Bai H, Ma R, Su W, Peña TAD, Li T, Tang L, Yang J, Hu B, Wang Y, Bi Z, Su Y, Wei Q, Wu Q, Duan Y, Li Y, Wu J, Ding Z, Liao X, Huang Y, Gao C, Lu G, Li M, Zhu W, Li G, Fan Q, Ma W. Green-Solvent Processed Blade-Coating Organic Solar Cells with an Efficiency Approaching 19% Enabled by Alkyl-Tailored Acceptors. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:241. [PMID: 37917278 PMCID: PMC10622389 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01208-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Power-conversion-efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs) in laboratory, normally processed by spin-coating technology with toxic halogenated solvents, have reached over 19%. However, there is usually a marked PCE drop when the blade-coating and/or green-solvents toward large-scale printing are used instead, which hampers the practical development of OSCs. Here, a new series of N-alkyl-tailored small molecule acceptors named YR-SeNF with a same molecular main backbone are developed by combining selenium-fused central-core and naphthalene-fused end-group. Thanks to the N-alkyl engineering, NIR-absorbing YR-SeNF series show different crystallinity, packing patterns, and miscibility with polymeric donor. The studies exhibit that the molecular packing, crystallinity, and vertical distribution of active layer morphologies are well optimized by introducing newly designed guest acceptor associated with tailored N-alkyl chains, providing the improved charge transfer dynamics and stability for the PM6:L8-BO:YR-SeNF-based OSCs. As a result, a record-high PCE approaching 19% is achieved in the blade-coating OSCs fabricated from a green-solvent o-xylene with high-boiling point. Notably, ternary OSCs offer robust operating stability under maximum-power-point tracking and well-keep > 80% of the initial PCEs for even over 400 h. Our alkyl-tailored guest acceptor strategy provides a unique approach to develop green-solvent and blade-coating processed high-efficiency and operating stable OSCs, which paves a way for industrial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairui Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenyan Su
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China.
| | - Top Archie Dela Peña
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Materials Thrust, Function Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nansha, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tengfei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingxiao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Hu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaozhao Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueling Su
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Wei
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuwei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxiang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaying Wu
- Advanced Materials Thrust, Function Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nansha, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zicheng Ding
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Xunfan Liao
- Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education/National Engineering Research Center for Carbohydrate Synthesis, Jiangxi Normal University, 99 Ziyang Avenue, Nanchang, 330022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinjuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Gao
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Liquid Crystal and Organic Photovoltaic Materials, State Key Laboratory of Fluorine & Nitrogen Chemicals, Xi'an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an, 710065, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghao Lu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Li
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Zhu
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of Light-Electricity-Heat Energy-Converting Materials and Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qunping Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center of Light-Electricity-Heat Energy-Converting Materials and Applications, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, People's Republic of China.
- Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education/National Engineering Research Center for Carbohydrate Synthesis, Jiangxi Normal University, 99 Ziyang Avenue, Nanchang, 330022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Huang X, Sun Y, Zhao Z, Chung S, Cho K, Kan Z. Triggering the Donor-Acceptor Phase Segregation with Solid Additives Enables 16.5% Efficiency in All-Polymer Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:44012-44021. [PMID: 37676970 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
All-polymer solar cells have attracted considerable research interest due to their superior morphological stabilities, stretchability, and mechanical durability. However, the morphology optimization of the all-polymer bulk heterojunctions remains challenging due to the two long conjugated polymer chains, limiting its power conversion efficiency. Herein, we focus on the donor-acceptor phase segregation of an all-polymer active layer composed of PM6/PY-IT, a state-of-the-art all-polymer combination, by the introduction of volatile solid additives. Especially with 1,3-dibromo-5-chlorobenzene (DBCl) as the processing additive, we could effectively tune the miscibility between PM6 and PY-IT and thus optimize the phase segregation of the polymer donor and acceptor. Due to the synergetic effects on the favorable phase segregation and desired donor-acceptor distribution, the DBCl-treated devices feature the evident improvement of charge transport and collection, accompanied by the suppressed trap-assisted charge recombination. We consequently achieved a champion device efficiency of 16.5% (16.4% averaged), which is a 13% improvement compared with the control device without DBCl (14.6%). Our results highlight the importance of altering the miscibility of the polymer donor-acceptor pairs for practical applications of high-performance all-polymer solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Huang
- Center on Nanoenergy Research, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems Integration, Institute of Science and Technology for Carbon Peak & Neutrality, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Center on Nanoenergy Research, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems Integration, Institute of Science and Technology for Carbon Peak & Neutrality, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhenmin Zhao
- Center on Nanoenergy Research, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems Integration, Institute of Science and Technology for Carbon Peak & Neutrality, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Sein Chung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Kilwon Cho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Zhipeng Kan
- Center on Nanoenergy Research, Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems Integration, Institute of Science and Technology for Carbon Peak & Neutrality, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life-cycle Safety for Composite Structures, Nanning 530004, China
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10
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Wu G, Xu X, Liao C, Yu L, Li R, Peng Q. Improving Cooperative Interactions Between Halogenated Aromatic Additives and Aromatic Side Chain Acceptors for Realizing 19.22% Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2302127. [PMID: 37116119 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Processing additive plays an important role in the standard operation procedures for fabricating top performing polymer solar cells (PSCs) through efficient interactions with key photovoltaic materials. However, improving interaction study of acceptor materials to high performance halogenated aromatic additives such as diiodobenzene (DIB) is a widely neglected route for molecular engineering toward more efficient device performances. In this work, two novel Y-type acceptor molecules of BTP-TT and BTP-TTS with different aromatic side chains on the outer positions are designed and synthesized. The resulting aromatic side chains significantly enhanced the interactions between the acceptor molecules and DIB through an arene/halogenated arene interaction, which improved the crystallinity of the acceptor molecules and induced a polymorph with better photovoltaic performances. Thus, high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 18.04% and 19.22% are achieved in binary and ternary blend devices using BTP-TTS as acceptor and DIB as additive. Aromatic side chain engineering for improving additive interactions is proved to be an effective strategy for achieving much higher performance photovoltaic materials and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Chentong Liao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Liyang Yu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Ruipeng Li
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Lab, Suffolk, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Qiang Peng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
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11
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Zhu C, Chung S, Zhao J, Sun Y, Zhao B, Zhao Z, Kim S, Cho K, Kan Z. Vertical Phase Regulation with 1,3,5-Tribromobenzene Leads to 18.5% Efficiency Binary Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303150. [PMID: 37424039 PMCID: PMC10502666 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The sequential deposition method assists the vertical phase distribution in the photoactive layer of organic solar cells, enhancing power conversion efficiencies. With this film coating approach, the morphology of both layers can be fine-tuned with high boiling solvent additives, as frequently applied in one-step casting films. However, introducing liquid additives can compromise the morphological stability of the devices due to the solvent residuals. Herein, 1,3,5-tribromobenzene (TBB) with high volatility and low cost, is used as a solid additive in the acceptor solution and combined thermal annealing to regulate the vertical phase in organic solar cells composed of D18-Cl/L8-BO. Compared to the control cells, the devices treated with TBB and those that underwent additional thermal processing exhibit increased exciton generation rate, charge carrier mobility, charge carrier lifetime, and reduced bimolecular charge recombination. As a result, the TBB-treated organic solar cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.5% (18.1% averaged), one of the highest efficiencies in binary organic solar cells with open circuit voltage exceeding 900 mV. This study ascribes the advanced device performance to the gradient-distributed donor-acceptor concentrations in the vertical direction. The findings provide guidelines for optimizing the morphology of the sequentially deposited top layer to achieve high-performance organic solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofeng Zhu
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
| | - Sein Chung
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology77 Cheongam‐ro, Nam‐guPohang‐si37673South Korea
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
| | - Zhenmin Zhao
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
| | - Seunghyun Kim
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology77 Cheongam‐ro, Nam‐guPohang‐si37673South Korea
| | - Kilwon Cho
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPohang University of Science and Technology77 Cheongam‐ro, Nam‐guPohang‐si37673South Korea
| | - Zhipeng Kan
- Center on Nanoenergy ResearchGuangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Blue Energy and Systems IntegrationCarbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development InstituteSchool of Physical Science & TechnologyGuangxi UniversityNanning530004China
- State Key Laboratory of Featured Metal Materials and Life‐cycle Safety for Composite StructuresNanning530004China
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12
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Fan B, Zhong W, Gao W, Fu H, Lin FR, Wong RWY, Liu M, Zhu C, Wang C, Yip HL, Liu F, Jen AKY. Understanding the Role of Removable Solid Additives: Selective Interaction Contributes to Vertical Component Distributions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302861. [PMID: 37164341 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Sequentially deposited organic solar cells (SD-OSCs) have attracted great attention owing to their ability in achieving a more favorable, vertically phase-separated morphology to avoid the accumulation of counter charges at absorber/transporting layer interfaces. However, the processing of SD-OSCs is still quite challenging in preventing the penetration of small-molecule acceptors into the polymer donor layer via erosion or swelling. Herein, solid additives (SAs) with varied electrostatic potential distributions and steric hinderance are introduced into SD-OSCs to investigate the effect of evaporation dynamics and selective interaction on vertical component distribution. Multiple modelings indicate that the π-π interaction dominates the interactions between aromatic SAs and active layer components. Among them, p-dibromobenzene shows a stronger interaction with the donor while 2-chloronaphthalene (2-CN) interacts more preferably with acceptor. Combining the depth-dependent morphological study aided by multiple X-ray scattering methods, it is concluded that the evaporation of SAs can drive the stronger-interaction component upward to the surface, while having minor impact on the overall molecular packing. Ultimately, the 2-CN-treated devices with reduced acceptor concentration at the bottom surface deliver a high power conversion efficiency of 19.2%, demonstrating the effectiveness of applying selective interactions to improve the vertical morphology of OSCs by using SAs with proper structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baobing Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Wenkai Zhong
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-Situ Center for Physical Science and Center of Hydrogen Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei Gao
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Huiting Fu
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Reese W-Y Wong
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Ming Liu
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Hin-Lap Yip
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-Situ Center for Physical Science and Center of Hydrogen Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200240, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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13
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Meng F, Qin Y, Zheng Y, Zhao Z, Sun Y, Yang Y, Gao K, Zhao D. Structural Fusion Yields Guest Acceptors that Enable Ternary Organic Solar Cells with 18.77 % Efficiency. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202217173. [PMID: 36692893 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202217173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The design and selection of a suitable guest acceptor are particularly important for improving the photovoltaic performance of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we designed and successfully synthesized two asymmetric silicon-oxygen bridged guest acceptors, which featured distinct blue-shifted absorption, upshifted lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, and larger dipole moments than symmetric silicon-oxygen-bridged acceptor. Ternary devices with the incorporation of 14.2 wt % these two asymmetric guest acceptors exhibited excellent performance with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 18.22 % and 18.77 %, respectively. Our success in precise control of material properties via structural fusion of five-membered carbon linkages and six-membered silicon-oxygen connection at the central electron-donating core unit of fused-ring electron acceptors can attract considerable attention and bring new vigor and vitality for developing new materials toward more efficient OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Meng
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Qin
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanna Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory for Science of Material Creation and Energy Conversion, Science Center for Material Creation and Energy Conversion, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, 266237, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Yingguo Yang
- School of Microelectronics, Fudan University, 200433, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Gao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory for Science of Material Creation and Energy Conversion, Science Center for Material Creation and Energy Conversion, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, 266237, Qingdao, P. R. China
| | - Dongbing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China
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14
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Li D, Deng N, Fu Y, Guo C, Zhou B, Wang L, Zhou J, Liu D, Li W, Wang K, Sun Y, Wang T. Fibrillization of Non-Fullerene Acceptors Enables 19% Efficiency Pseudo-Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208211. [PMID: 36418914 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The structural order and aggregation of non-fullerene acceptors (NFA) are critical toward light absorption, phase separation, and charge transport properties of their photovoltaic blends with electron donors, and determine the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the corresponding organic solar cells (OSCs). In this work, the fibrillization of small molecular NFA L8-BO with the assistance of fused-ring solvent additive 1-fluoronaphthalene (FN) to substantially improve device PCE is demonstrated. Molecular dynamics simulations show that FN attaches to the backbone of L8-BO as the molecular bridge to enhance the intermolecular packing , inducing 1D self-assembly of L8-BO into fine fibrils with a compact polycrystal structure. The L8-BO fibrils are incorporated into a pseudo-bulk heterojunction (P-BHJ) active layer with D18 as a donor, and show enhanced light absorption, charge transport, and collection properties, leading to enhanced PCE from 16.0% to an unprecedented 19.0% in the D18/L8-BO binary P-BHJ OSC, featuring a high fill factor of 80%. This work demonstrates a strategy for fibrillating NFAs toward the enhanced performance of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Nan Deng
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yiwei Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chuanhang Guo
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Bojun Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yanming Sun
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
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15
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Zhang YD, Wang X, Fei X, Li M, Wang C, Zhang HL. Enhanced Photodynamic of Carriers and Suppressed Charge Recombination Enable Approaching 18% Efficiency in Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:54885-54894. [PMID: 36459636 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of the exciton generation, diffusion, and carrier transport, as well as optimization of the non-radiative energy loss could further overcome the power conversion efficiency limitation of organic solar cells. However, the relationship between exciton properties and non-radiative energy loss has seldom been investigated. Herein, taking D18-series devices as the research model, the exciton diffusion length (LD) and hole transfer dynamics can be remarkably improved by the variation of electron-withdrawing halogen and the non-radiative energy loss simultaneously can be suppressed. By combining the analysis results of hole transfer, exciton diffusion, charge separation, and recombination, this work demonstrates that the photo-induced exciton in the chlorinated polymer donor can diffuse to a longer distance within the effective exciton lifetime, suppress the exciton recombination, and enhance device performance. The results define the relationship between the exciton behaviors and non-radiative energy loss and further reveal the significance of controlling the bulk heterojunction with superior photo-physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Dan Zhang
- National Green Coating Equipment and Technology Research Centre, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, P. R. China
| | - Xunchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, P. R. China
| | - Xian Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Key Laboratory of Special Function Materials and Structure Design (MOE), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Chenglong Wang
- National Green Coating Equipment and Technology Research Centre, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, P. R. China
| | - Hao-Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry (SKLAOC), Key Laboratory of Special Function Materials and Structure Design (MOE), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
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16
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Lu H, Chen K, Bobba RS, Shi J, Li M, Wang Y, Xue J, Xue P, Zheng X, Thorn KE, Wagner I, Lin CY, Song Y, Ma W, Tang Z, Meng Q, Qiao Q, Hodgkiss JM, Zhan X. Simultaneously Enhancing Exciton/Charge Transport in Organic Solar Cells by an Organoboron Additive. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2205926. [PMID: 36027579 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202205926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Efficient exciton diffusion and charge transport play a vital role in advancing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, a facile strategy is presented to simultaneously enhance exciton/charge transport of the widely studied PM6:Y6-based OSCs by employing highly emissive trans-bis(dimesitylboron)stilbene (BBS) as a solid additive. BBS transforms the emissive sites from a more H-type aggregate into a more J-type aggregate, which benefits the resonance energy transfer for PM6 exciton diffusion and energy transfer from PM6 to Y6. Transient gated photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements indicate that addition of BBS improves the exciton diffusion coefficient of PM6 and the dissociation of PM6 excitons in the PM6:Y6:BBS film. Transient absorption spectroscopy measurements confirm faster charge generation in PM6:Y6:BBS. Moreover, BBS helps improve Y6 crystallization, and current-sensing atomic force microscopy characterization reveals an improved charge-carrier diffusion length in PM6:Y6:BBS. Owing to the enhanced exciton diffusion, exciton dissociation, charge generation, and charge transport, as well as reduced charge recombination and energy loss, a higher PCE of 17.6% with simultaneously improved open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor is achieved for the PM6:Y6:BBS devices compared to the devices without BBS (16.2%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Lu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kai Chen
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
- Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
| | - Raja Sekhar Bobba
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Jiangjian Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory for Renewable Energy, Beijing Key Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Devices, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Mengyang Li
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yilin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jingwei Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Peiyao Xue
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaojian Zheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Karen E Thorn
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
| | - Isabella Wagner
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
| | - Chao-Yang Lin
- Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
| | - Yin Song
- School of Optics and Photonics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Zheng Tang
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Qingbo Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory for Renewable Energy, Beijing Key Laboratory for New Energy Materials and Devices, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Quinn Qiao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Justin M Hodgkiss
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6010, New Zealand
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Eco-functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
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17
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Wei Y, Chen Z, Lu G, Yu N, Li C, Gao J, Gu X, Hao X, Lu G, Tang Z, Zhang J, Wei Z, Zhang X, Huang H. Binary Organic Solar Cells Breaking 19% via Manipulating the Vertical Component Distribution. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2204718. [PMID: 35747988 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The variation of the vertical component distribution can significantly influence the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), mainly due to its impact on exciton dissociation and charge-carrier transport and recombination. Herein, binary devices are fabricated via sequential deposition (SD) of D18 and L8-BO materials in a two-step process. Upon independently regulating the spin-coating speeds of each layer deposition, the optimal SD device shows a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.05% for binary single-junction OSCs, much higher than that of the corresponding blend casting (BC) device (18.14%). Impressively, this strategy presents excellent universality in boosting the photovoltaic performance of SD devices, exemplified by several nonfullerene acceptor systems. The mechanism studies reveal that the SD device with preferred vertical components distribution possesses high crystallinity, efficient exciton splitting, low energy loss, and balanced charge transport, resulting in all-around enhancement of photovoltaic performances. This work provides a valuable approach for high-efficiency OSCs, shedding light on understanding the relationship between photovoltaic performance and vertical component distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wei
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Guanyu Lu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Na Yu
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Congqi Li
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinhua Gao
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaobin Gu
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaotao Hao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Guanghao Lu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Zheng Tang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Huang
- College of Materials Science and Opto-Electronic Technology & Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering & CAS Center for Excellence in Topological Quantum Computation & CAS Key Laboratory of Vacuum Physic, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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