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Han J, Xu H, Paleti SHK, Sharma A, Baran D. Understanding photochemical degradation mechanisms in photoactive layer materials for organic solar cells. Chem Soc Rev 2024. [PMID: 38869459 DOI: 10.1039/d4cs00132j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decades, the field of organic solar cells (OSCs) has witnessed a significant evolution in materials chemistry, which has resulted in a remarkable enhancement of device performance, achieving efficiencies of over 19%. The photoactive layer materials in OSCs play a crucial role in light absorption, charge generation, transport and stability. To facilitate the scale-up of OSCs, it is imperative to address the photostability of these electron acceptor and donor materials, as their photochemical degradation process remains a challenge during the photo-to-electric conversion. In this review, we present an overview of the development of electron acceptor and donor materials, emphasizing the crucial aspects of their chemical stability behavior that are linked to the photostability of OSCs. Throughout each section, we highlight the photochemical degradation pathways for electron acceptor and donor materials, and their link to device degradation. We also discuss the existing interdisciplinary challenges and obstacles that impede the development of photostable materials. Finally, we offer insights into strategies aimed at enhancing photochemical stability and discuss future directions for developing photostable photo-active layers, facilitating the commercialization of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Han
- Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie and Institute for Sustainable Chemistry & Catalysis with Boron (ICB), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Han Xu
- Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sri Harish Kumar Paleti
- Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Anirudh Sharma
- Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Derya Baran
- Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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2
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Sun N, Han Y, Huang W, Xu M, Wang J, An X, Lin J, Huang W. A Holistic Review of C = C Crosslinkable Conjugated Molecules in Solution-Processed Organic Electronics: Insights into Stability, Processibility, and Mechanical Properties. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309779. [PMID: 38237201 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Solution-processable organic conjugated molecules (OCMs) consist of a series of aromatic units linked by σ-bonds, which present a relatively freedom intramolecular motion and intermolecular re-arrangement under external stimulation. The cross-linked strategy provides an effective platform to obtain OCMs network, which allows for outstanding optoelectronic, excellent physicochemical properties, and substantial improvement in device fabrication. An unsaturated double carbon-carbon bond (C = C) is universal segment to construct crosslinkable OCMs. In this review, the authors will set C = C cross-linkable units as an example to summarize the development of cross-linkable OCMs for solution-processable optoelectronic applications. First, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the distinctive chemical, physical, and optoelectronic properties arising from the cross-linking strategies employed in OCMs. Second, the methods for probing the C = C cross-linking reaction are also emphasized based on the perturbations of chemical structure and physicochemical property. Third, a series of model C = C cross-linkable units, including styrene, trifluoroethylene, and unsaturated acid ester, are further discussed to design and prepare novel OCMs. Furthermore, a concise overview of the optoelectronic applications associated with this approach is presented, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells (SCs), and field-effect transistors (FETs). Lastly, the authors offer a concluding perspective and outlook for the improvement of OCMs and their optoelectronic application via the cross-linking strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Fine Organic Synthesis, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Yamin Han
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Wenxin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Man Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jianguo Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Fine Organic Synthesis, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Xiang An
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Jinyi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech), 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing, 211816, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Leng M, Koripally N, Huang J, Vriza A, Lee KY, Ji X, Li C, Hays M, Tu Q, Dunbar K, Xu J, Ng TN, Fang L. Synthesis and exceptional operational durability of polyaniline-inspired conductive ladder polymers. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:4354-4364. [PMID: 37455554 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00883e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Ladder-type structures can impart exceptional stability to polymeric electronic materials. This article introduces a new class of conductive polymers featuring a fully ladder-type backbone. A judicious molecular design strategy enables the synthesis of a low-defect ladder polymer, which can be efficiently oxidized and acid-doped to achieve its conductive state. The structural elucidation of this polymer and the characterization of its open-shell nature are facilitated with the assistance of studies on small molecular models. An autonomous robotic system is used to optimize the conductivity of the polymer thin film, achieving over 7 mS cm-1. Impressively, this polymer demonstrates unparalleled stability in strong acid and under harsh UV-irradiation, significantly surpassing commercial benchmarks like PEDOT:PSS and polyaniline. Moreover, it displays superior durability across numerous redox cycles as the active material in an electrochromic device and as the pseudocapacitive material in a supercapacitor device. This work provides structural design guidance for durable conductive polymers for long-term device operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingwan Leng
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Nandu Koripally
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
| | - Junjie Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Aikaterini Vriza
- Nanoscience and Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA.
| | - Kyeong Yeon Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3003, USA
| | - Xiaozhou Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Chenxuan Li
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Megan Hays
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Qing Tu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3003, USA
| | - Kim Dunbar
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
| | - Jie Xu
- Nanoscience and Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA.
| | - Tse Nga Ng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
| | - Lei Fang
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3255, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3003, USA
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Brumboiu IE, Ericsson LKE, Blazinic V, Hansson R, Opitz A, Brena B, Moons E. Photooxidation of PC 60BM: new insights from spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:25753-25766. [PMID: 36128981 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp03514f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This joint experimental-theoretical spectroscopy study of the fullerene derivative PC60BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester) aims to improve the understanding of the effect of photooxidation on its electronic structure. We have studied spin-coated thin films of PC60BM by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Near-edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), before and after intentional exposure to simulated sunlight in air for different lengths of time. The π* resonance in the C1s NEXAFS spectrum was found to be a very sensitive probe for the early changes to the fullerene cage, while FTIR spectra, in combination with O1s NEXAFS spectra, enabled the identification of the oxidation products. The changes observed in the spectra obtained by these complementary methods were compared with the corresponding Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculated single-molecule spectra of a large set of in silico generated oxidation products of PC60BM where oxygen atoms were attached to the C60 cage. This comparison confirms that photooxidation of PC60BM disrupts the conjugation of the fullerene cage by a transition from sp2 to sp3-hybridized carbon and causes the formation of several oxidation products, earlier proposed for C60. The agreement between experimental and calculated IR spectra suggests moreover the presence of dicarbonyl and anhydride structures on the fullerene cage, in combination with cage opening at the adsorption site. By including PC60BM with physisorbed O2 molecules on the cage in our theoretical description in order to model oxygen diffused through the film, the experimental O1s XPS and O1s NEXAFS spectra could be reproduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Emilia Brumboiu
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leif K E Ericsson
- Department of Engineering and Physics, Karlstad University, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Vanja Blazinic
- Department of Engineering and Physics, Karlstad University, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Rickard Hansson
- Department of Engineering and Physics, Karlstad University, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden.
| | - Andreas Opitz
- Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Brena
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ellen Moons
- Department of Engineering and Physics, Karlstad University, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden.
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Martynov IV, Inasaridze LN, Troshin PA. Resist or Oxidize: Identifying Molecular Structure-Photostability Relationships for Conjugated Polymers Used in Organic Solar Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2022; 15:e202101336. [PMID: 34519424 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although organic solar cells have started to demonstrate competitive power conversion efficiencies of >18 %, their operational lifetimes remain insufficient for wide practical use and the factors influencing the photostability of absorber materials and completed devices are still not completely understood. A systematic study of two series of structurally similar [XTBT]n and [XTTBTBTT]n polymers (16 structures in total) reveals the building blocks that enable the highest material stability towards photooxidation: fluorene, silafluorene, carbazole, diketopyrrolopyrrole, and isoindigo. Furthermore, a direct correlation is evident between the electronic properties of the conjugated polymers and their reactivity towards oxygen. The structures with the lowest highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies show the highest electrochemical oxidation potentials and appear to be the most resistant towards chemical oxidation. These relationships set important guidelines for the further rational design of new absorber materials for efficient and stable organic photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilya V Martynov
- Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Semenov avenue 1, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 142432, Russian Federation
| | - Liana N Inasaridze
- Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Semenov avenue 1, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 142432, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel A Troshin
- Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Semenov avenue 1, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, 142432, Russian Federation
- Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2A, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
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Wei Y, Liang N, Jiang W, Zhai T, Wang Z. Rylene-Fullerene Hybrid an Emerging Electron Acceptor for High-Performing and Photothermal-Stable Ternary Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104060. [PMID: 34825446 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular carbon imides, especially extended perylene diimides (PDIs) have been the best wide-band-gap nonfullerene acceptors. Despite their excellent photothermal/chemical stability, flexible reaction sites, and unique photoelectronic properties, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of their molecular characteristics as a third component. Here, generations of PDIs with distinctive molecular architecture, are deliberately screened out as the third component to PM6:Y6. Only a rylene-fullerene hybrid, S-Fuller-PMI, surprisingly boosts the fill factor (FF) of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) to 0.77 from 0.72 for PM6:Y6 binary ones, and therefore the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ternary cells is enhanced from 15.3% to 16.2%. Compared with highly-flexible rylene dimer and rigid multimer, S-Fuller-PMI exhibits higher electron mobility, favorable surface tension, and, therefore tailored compatibility with Y6. These formed Y6:S-Fuller-PMI alloys play as a morphological controller to improve charge separation and transport process. Simultaneously, the suppressed photothermal-induced traps, along with inherent enlarged entropy effect, endow the ternary OSCs still with ≈70% of initial PCE even after 500 h continuous illumination, whereas only 53% is left in their binary counterparts. These results provide new insight into the molecular design principle for distinctive molecular carbon imides as the third component for efficient and durable PM6:Y6-based OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wei
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ningning Liang
- Institute of Information Photonics Technology, Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Tianrui Zhai
- Institute of Information Photonics Technology, Faculty of Science, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Anderson MA, Larson BW, Ratcliff EL. A Multi-modal Approach to Understanding Degradation of Organic Photovoltaic Materials. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:44641-44655. [PMID: 34496216 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
State-of-the-art organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials are composed of complex, chemically diverse polymeric and molecular structures that form highly intricate solid-state interactions, collectively yielding exceptional tunability in performance and aesthetics. These properties are especially attractive for semitransparent power-generating windows or shades in living environments, greenhouses, or other architectural integrations. However, before such a future is realized, a broader and deeper understanding of property stability must be acquired. Stability during operating and environmental conditions is critical, namely, material color steadfastness, optoelectronic performance retention, morphological rigidity, and chemical robustness. To date, no single investigation encompasses all four distinct, yet interconnected, metrics. Here, we present a multimodal strategy that captures a dynamic and interconnected evolution of each property during the course of an accelerated photobleaching experiment. We demonstrate this approach across relevant length scales (from molecular to visual macroscale) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, microwave conductivity, and time-dependent photobleaching spectroscopies for two high-performance semitransparent OPV blends-PDPP4T:PC60BM and PDPP4T:IEICO-4F, with comparisons to the stabilities of the individual components. We present direct evidence that specific molecular acceptor (fullerene vs nonfullerene) designs and the resulting donor-acceptor interactions lead to distinctly different mechanistic routes that ultimately arrive at what is termed "OPV degradation." We directly observe a chemical oxidation of the cyano endcaps of the IEICO-4F that coincides with a morphological change and large loss in photoconductivity while the fullerene acceptor-containing blend demonstrates a significantly greater fraction of oxygen uptake but retains 55% of the photoconductivity. This experimental roadmap provides meaningful guidance for future high-throughput, multimodal studies, benchmarking the sensitivity of the different analytical techniques for assessing stability in printable active layers, independent of complete device architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Anderson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Bryon W Larson
- Chemistry and Nanoscience Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Erin L Ratcliff
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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Pankow RM, Thompson BC. The development of conjugated polymers as the cornerstone of organic electronics. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Wang K, Li Y, Li Y. Challenges to the Stability of Active Layer Materials in Organic Solar Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e1900437. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- School of Materials and Chemical EngineeringZhongyuan University of Technology Zhengzhou 451191 China
| | - Yaowen Li
- Laboratory of Advanced Optoelectronic MaterialsCollege of ChemistryChemical Engineering and Materials ScienceSoochow University Suzhou 215123 China
| | - Yongfang Li
- Laboratory of Advanced Optoelectronic MaterialsCollege of ChemistryChemical Engineering and Materials ScienceSoochow University Suzhou 215123 China
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O’Hara K, Takacs CJ, Liu S, Cruciani F, Beaujuge P, Hawker CJ, Chabinyc ML. Effect of Alkyl Side Chains on Intercrystallite Ordering in Semiconducting Polymers. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn O’Hara
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Christopher J. Takacs
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Shengjian Liu
- Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Federico Cruciani
- Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pierre Beaujuge
- Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Craig J. Hawker
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Michael L. Chabinyc
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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Santos Silva H, Metz S, Hiorns RC, Bégué D. Targeting ideal acceptor-donor materials based on hexabenzocoronene. J Mol Struct 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2018.02.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Mateker WR, McGehee MD. Progress in Understanding Degradation Mechanisms and Improving Stability in Organic Photovoltaics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1603940. [PMID: 28004854 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201603940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the degradation mechanisms of organic photovoltaics is particularly important, as they tend to degrade faster than their inorganic counterparts, such as silicon and cadmium telluride. An overview is provided here of the main degradation mechanisms that researchers have identified so far that cause extrinsic degradation from oxygen and water, intrinsic degradation in the dark, and photo-induced burn-in. In addition, it provides methods for researchers to identify these mechanisms in new materials and device structures to screen them more quickly for promising long-term performance. These general strategies will likely be helpful in other photovoltaic technologies that suffer from insufficient stability, such as perovskite solar cells. Finally, the most promising lifetime results are highlighted and recommendations to improve long-term performance are made. To prevent degradation from oxygen and water for sufficiently long time periods, OPVs will likely need to be encapsulated by barrier materials with lower permeation rates of oxygen and water than typical flexible substrate materials. To improve stability at operating temperatures, materials will likely require glass transition temperatures above 100 °C. Methods to prevent photo-induced burn-in are least understood, but recent research indicates that using pure materials with dense and ordered film morphologies can reduce the burn-in effect.
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Pirotte G, Kesters J, Verstappen P, Govaerts S, Manca J, Lutsen L, Vanderzande D, Maes W. Continuous Flow Polymer Synthesis toward Reproducible Large-Scale Production for Efficient Bulk Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2015; 8:3228-3233. [PMID: 26388210 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201500850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPV) have attracted great interest as a solar cell technology with appealing mechanical, aesthetical, and economies-of-scale features. To drive OPV toward economic viability, low-cost, large-scale module production has to be realized in combination with increased top-quality material availability and minimal batch-to-batch variation. To this extent, continuous flow chemistry can serve as a powerful tool. In this contribution, a flow protocol is optimized for the high performance benzodithiophene-thienopyrroledione copolymer PBDTTPD and the material quality is probed through systematic solar-cell evaluation. A stepwise approach is adopted to turn the batch process into a reproducible and scalable continuous flow procedure. Solar cell devices fabricated using the obtained polymer batches deliver an average power conversion efficiency of 7.2 %. Upon incorporation of an ionic polythiophene-based cathodic interlayer, the photovoltaic performance could be enhanced to a maximum efficiency of 9.1 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert Pirotte
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Kesters
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Material Physics Division, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Pieter Verstappen
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sanne Govaerts
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jean Manca
- Material Physics Division, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Laurence Lutsen
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dirk Vanderzande
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Wouter Maes
- Design & Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors (DSOS), Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1-Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- IMEC, IMOMEC, Universitaire Campus-Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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