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Yang N, Cui Y, Xiao Y, Chen Z, Zhang T, Yu Y, Ren J, Wang W, Ma L, Hou J. Completely Non-Fused Low-Cost Acceptor Enables Organic Photovoltaic Cells with 17 % Efficiency. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202403753. [PMID: 38523070 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202403753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
To meet the industrial requirements of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, it is imperative to accelerate the development of cost-effective materials. Thiophene-benzene-thiophene central unit-based acceptors possess the advantage of low synthetic cost, while their power conversion efficiency (PCE) is relatively low. Here, by incorporating a para-substituted benzene unit and 1st-position branched alkoxy chains with large steric hindrance, a completely non-fused non-fullerene acceptor, TBT-26, was designed and synthesized. The narrow band gap of 1.38 eV ensures the effective utilization of sunlight. The favorable phase separation morphology of TBT-26-based blend film facilitates the efficient exciton dissociation and charge transport in corresponding OPV cell. Therefore, the TBT-26-based small-area cell achieves an impressive PCE of 17.0 %, which is the highest value of completely non-fused OPV cells. Additionally, we successfully demonstrated the scalability of this design by fabricating a 28.8 cm2 module with a high PCE of 14.3 %. Overall, our work provides a practical molecular design strategy for developing high-performance and low-cost acceptors, paving the way for industrial applications of OPV technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - 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, 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, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yue Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, 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, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, 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, 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, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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2
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Choi J, Song CE, Lim E. Optimizing Alkyl Side Chains in Difluorobenzene-Rhodanine Small-Molecule Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1875. [PMID: 38673232 PMCID: PMC11052290 DOI: 10.3390/ma17081875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
A series of small molecules, T-2FB-T-ORH, T-2FB-T-BORH, and T-2FB-T-HDRH, were synthesized to have a thiophene-flanked difluorobenzene (T-2FB-T) core and alkyl-substituted rhodanine (RH) end groups for their use as nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) in organic solar cells (OSCs). Octyl, 2-butyloctyl (BO), and 2-hexyldecyl (HD) alkyl side chains were introduced into RHs to control the material's physical properties based on the length and size of the alkyl chains. The optical properties of the three NFAs were found to be almost the same, irrespective of the alkyl chain length, whereas the molecular crystallinity and material solubility significantly differed depending on the alkyl side chains. Owing to the sufficient solubility of T-2FB-T-HDRH, OSCs based on PTB7-Th and T-2FB-T-HDRH were fabricated. A power conversion efficiency of up to 4.49% was obtained by solvent vapor annealing (SVA). The AFM study revealed that improved charge mobility and a smooth and homogeneous film morphology without excessive aggregation could be obtained in the SVA-treated film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongchan Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Eun Song
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea;
| | - Eunhee Lim
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea
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3
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Gu X, Zeng R, He T, Zhou G, Li C, Yu N, Han F, Hou Y, Lv J, Zhang M, Zhang J, Wei Z, Tang Z, Zhu H, Cai Y, Long G, Liu F, Zhang X, Huang H. Simple-Structured Acceptor with Highly Interconnected Electron-Transport Pathway Enables High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2401370. [PMID: 38373399 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Achieving desirable charge-transport highway is of vital importance for high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, it is shown how molecular packing arrangements can be regulated via tuning the alkyl-chain topology, thus resulting in a 3D network stacking and highly interconnected pathway for electron transport in a simple-structured nonfused-ring electron acceptor (NFREA) with branched alkyl side-chains. As a result, a record-breaking power conversion efficiency of 17.38% (certificated 16.59%) is achieved for NFREA-based devices, thus providing an opportunity for constructing low-cost and high-efficiency OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Rui Zeng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Tengfei He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, National Institute for Advanced Materials, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Guanqing Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Na Yu
- 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
| | - Fei Han
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yuqi Hou
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Jikai Lv
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS), Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS), Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, 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
| | - Haiming Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yunhao Cai
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Guankui Long
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, National Institute for Advanced Materials, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Feng Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, In-situ Center for Physical Science, and Center of Hydrogen Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
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4
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Liu F, Jiang Y, Xu R, Su W, Wang S, Zhang Y, Liu K, Xu S, Zhang W, Yi Y, Ma W, Zhu X. Nonfullerene Acceptor Featuring Unique Self-Regulation Effect for Organic Solar Cells with 19 % Efficiency. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202313791. [PMID: 38050643 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The blend nanomorphology of electron-donor (D) and -acceptor (A) materials is of vital importance to achieving highly efficient organic solar cells. Exogenous additives especially aromatic additives are always needed to further optimize the nanomorphology of blend films, which is hardly compatible with industrial manufacture. Herein, we proposed a unique approach to meticulously modulate the aggregation behavior of NFAs in both crystal and thin film nanomorphology via self-regulation effect. Nonfullerene acceptor Z9 was designed and synthesized by tethering phenyl groups on the inner side chains of the Y6 backbone. Compared with Y6, the tethered phenyl groups participated in the molecular aggregation via the π-π stacking of phenyl-phenyl and phenyl-2-(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (IC-2F) groups, which induced 3D charge transport with phenyl-mediated super-exchange electron coupling. Moreover, ordered molecular packing with suitable phase separation was observed in Z9-based blend films. High power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 19.0 % (certified PCE of 18.6 %) for Z9-based devices were achieved without additives, indicating the great potential of the self-regulation strategy in NFA design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Renjie Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenli Su
- Department of Physics and Applied Optics Beijing Area Major Laboratory, Center for Advanced Quantum Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yaogang Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kerui Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shengjie Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenkai Zhang
- Department of Physics and Applied Optics Beijing Area Major Laboratory, Center for Advanced Quantum Studies, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yuanping Yi
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Xiaozhang Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory for Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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5
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Xue YJ, Lai ZY, Lu HC, Hong JC, Tsai CL, Huang CL, Huang KH, Lu CF, Lai YY, Hsu CS, Lin JM, Chang JW, Chien SY, Lee GH, Jeng US, Cheng YJ. Unraveling the Structure-Property-Performance Relationships of Fused-Ring Nonfullerene Acceptors: Toward a C-Shaped ortho-Benzodipyrrole-Based Acceptor for Highly Efficient Organic Photovoltaics. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:833-848. [PMID: 38113458 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The high-performance Y6-based nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) feature a C-shaped A-DA'D-A-type molecular architecture with a central electron-deficient thiadiazole (Tz) A' unit. In this work, we designed and synthesized a new A-D-A-type NFA, termed CB16, having a C-shaped ortho-benzodipyrrole-based skeleton of Y6 but with the Tz unit eliminated. When processed with nonhalogenated xylene without using any additives, the binary PM6:CB16 devices display a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.32% with a high open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.92 V, surpassing the performance of the corresponding Y6-based devices. In contrast, similarly synthesized SB16, featuring an S-shaped para-benzodipyrrole-based skeleton, yields a low PCE of 0.15% due to the strong side-chain aggregation of SB16. The C-shaped A-DNBND-A skeleton in CB16 and the Y6-series NFAs constitutes the essential structural foundation for achieving exceptional device performance. The central Tz moiety or other A' units can be employed to finely adjust intermolecular interactions. The single-crystal X-ray structure reveals that ortho-benzodipyrrole-embedded A-DNBND-A plays an important role in the formation of a 3D elliptical network packing for efficient charge transport. Solution structures of the PM6:NFAs detected by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) indicate that removing the Tz unit in the C-shaped skeleton could reduce the self-packing of CB16, thereby enhancing the complexing and networking with PM6 in the spin-coating solution and the subsequent device film. Elucidating the structure-property-performance relationships of A-DA'D-A-type NFAs in this work paves the way for the future development of structurally simplified A-D-A-type NFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Jing Xue
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Ze-Yu Lai
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300092, Taiwan
| | - Han-Cheng Lu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Cheng Hong
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Tsai
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Li Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hsiu Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Lu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Lai
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering,National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chain-Shu Hsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Min Lin
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300092, Taiwan
| | - Je-Wei Chang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300092, Taiwan
| | - Su-Ying Chien
- Instrumentation Center, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Gene-Hsiang Lee
- Instrumentation Center, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - U-Ser Jeng
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300092, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
- College of Semiconductor Research, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ju Cheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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6
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Deng M, Xu X, Duan Y, Qiu W, Yu L, Li R, Peng Q. 19.32% Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells Enabled by Fine-Tuning Stacking Modes of Y-Type Molecule Acceptors: Synergistic Bromine and Fluorine Substitution of the End Groups. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2308216. [PMID: 38100817 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The success of Y6-type nonfullerene small molecule acceptors (NF-SMAs) in polymer solar cells (PSCs) can be attributed to their unique honeycomb stacking style, which leads to favorable thin-film morphologies. The intermolecular interactions related to the crystallization tendency of these NF-SMAs is closely governed by their electron accepting end groups. For example, the high performance Y6 derivative L8-BO (BTP-4F) presents three types of stacking modes in contrast to two stacking modes of Y6. Hence, it is ultimately interesting to obtain more insight on the packing properties and the preferences influenced by chemical modifications such as end group engineering. This work designs and synthesizes asymmetric and symmetric L8-BO derivatives with brominated end groups and explores the stacking preferences in various modes. The asymmetric BTP-3FBr displays an optimized crystallization tendency and thin film morphology, leading to a decent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.34% in binary devices and a top PCE of 19.32% in ternary devices containing 15 wt% IDIC as the second acceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Deng
- College of Materials and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, P. R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yuwei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy, Technology, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Wuke Qiu
- School of Chemical Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Liyang Yu
- College of Materials and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, P. R. China
- School of Chemical Engineering 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
- College of Materials and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, P. R. China
- School of Chemical Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
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7
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Shi W, Huang Y, Ma K, Si X, Feng W, Wang R, Guo J, Ma W, Wang S, Clulow A, Barnsley L, Yao Z, Li C, Wan X, Chen Y. A Polymer Acceptor with Grafted Small Molecule Acceptor Unit for Efficient All Polymer Organic Solar Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300407. [PMID: 37704567 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
A polymer acceptor, named PX-1, is designed and synthesized using a polymerization strategy with grafted small molecule acceptors. This design approach allows for the freedom of end groups while maintaining efficient terminal packing, enhancing π-π interactions, and facilitating charge transport. All-polymer organic solar cells based on PM6: PX-1 demonstrate a promising efficiency of 13.55%. The result presents an alternative pathway for the design of high-efficiency polymer acceptors through the careful regulation of small molecule acceptor monomers and linker units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yuzhong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Kangqiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Si
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Wanying Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Ruohan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Shijie Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Andrew Clulow
- Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Lester Barnsley
- Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Zhaoyang Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Chenxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Xiangjian Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center (RECAST), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, P. R. China
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8
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Ran X, Shi Y, Qiu D, Zhang J, Lu K, Wei Z. The central core size effect in quinoxaline-based non-fullerene acceptors for high VOC organic solar cells. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:18291-18299. [PMID: 37941482 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05077g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
For organic solar cells (OSCs), obtaining a high open circuit voltage (VOC) is often accompanied by the sacrifice of the circuit current density (JSC) and filling factor (FF), and it is difficult to strike a balance between VOC and JSC × FF. The trade-off of these parameters is often the critical factor limiting the improvement of the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Extended backbone conjugation and side chain engineering of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) are effective strategies to optimize the performance of OSCs. Herein, based on the quinoxaline central core and branched alkyl chains at the β position of the thiophene unit, we designed and synthesized three NFAs with different sized cores. Interestingly, Qx-BO-3 with a smaller central core showed better planarity and more appropriate crystallinity. As a result, PM6:Qx-BO-3-based devices obtained more suitable phase separation, more efficient exciton dissociation, and charge transport properties. Therefore, the OSCs based on PM6:Qx-BO-3 yielded an outstanding PCE of 17.03%, significantly higher than the devices based on PM6:Qx-BO-1 (10.57%) and PM6:Qx-BO-2 (11.34%) although the latter two devices have lower VOC losses. These results indicated that fine-tuning the central core size can effectively optimize the molecular geometry of NFAs and the film morphology of OSCs. This work provides an effective method for designing high-performance NFA-OSCs with high VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinya Ran
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Sino-Danish College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Dingding Qiu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Sino-Danish College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Kun Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Sino-Danish College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Sino-Danish College University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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9
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Fan B, Gao W, Zhang R, Kaminsky W, Tang L, Lin FR, Wang Y, Fan Q, Ma W, Gao F, Jen AKY. Correlation of Broad Absorption Band with Small Singlet-Triplet Energy Gap in Organic Photovoltaics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311559. [PMID: 37792667 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPV) are one of the most effective ways to harvest renewable solar energy, with the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices soaring above 19 % when processed with halogenated solvents. The superior photocurrent of OPV over other emerging photovoltaics offers more opportunities to further improve the efficiency. Tailoring the absorption band of photoactive materials is an effective way to further enhance OPV photocurrent. However, the field has mostly been focusing on improving the near-infrared region photo-response, with the absorption shoulders in short-wavelength region (SWR) usually being neglected. Herein, by developing a series of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with varied side-group conjugations, we observe an enhanced SWR absorption band with increased side-group conjugation length. The underpinning factors of how molecular structures and geometries improve SWR absorption are clearly elucidated through theoretical modelling and crystallography. Moreover, a clear relationship between the enhanced SWR absorption and reduced singlet-triplet energy gap is established, both of which are favorable for the OPV performance and can be tailored by rational structure design of NFAs. Finally, the rationally designed NFA, BO-TTBr, affords a decent PCE of 18.5 % when processed with a non-halogenated green solvent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baobing Fan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Material Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - Werner Kaminsky
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
| | - Lingxiao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Material Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qunping Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Institute of Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Material Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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10
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Song W, Ye Q, Yang S, Xie L, Meng Y, Chen Z, Gu Q, Yang D, Shi J, Ge Z. Ultra Robust and Highly Efficient Flexible Organic Solar Cells with Over 18 % Efficiency Realized by Incorporating a Linker Dimerized Acceptor. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310034. [PMID: 37612732 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The wearable application of flexible organic solar cells (f-OSCs) necessitates high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and mechanical robustness. However, photoactive films based on efficient non-fullerene small molecule acceptors (NF-SMAs) are typically brittle, leading to poor mechanical stability in devices. In this study, we achieved a remarkable PCE of 18.06 % in f-OSCs while maintaining ultrahigh mechanical robustness (with a crack-onset strain (COS) of higher than 11 %) by incorporating a linker dimerized acceptor (DOY-TVT). Compared to binary blends, ternary systems exhibit reduced non-radiative recombination, suppressed crystallization and diffusion of NF-SMAs, and improved load distribution across the chain networks, enabling the dissipation of the load energy. Thus, the ternary f-OSCs developed in this study achieved, high PCE and stability, surpassing binary OSCs. Moreover, the developed f-OSCs retained 97 % of the initial PCE even after 3000 bending cycles, indicating excellent mechanical stability (9.1 % higher than binary systems). Furthermore, the rigid device with inverted structure based on the optimal active layer exhibited a substantial increase in efficiency retention, with 89.6 % after 865 h at 85 °C and 93 % after more than 1300 h of shelf storage at 25 °C. These findings highlight the potential of the linker oligomer acceptor for realizing high-performing f-OSCs with ultrahigh mechanical robustness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Qinrui Ye
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Shuncheng Yang
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Lin Xie
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Meng
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Qun Gu
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Daobin Yang
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Jingyu Shi
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
| | - Ziyi Ge
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 West Zhong Guan Road, ZhenhaiDistrict, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China
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11
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Fan Q, Ma R, Yang J, Gao J, Bai H, Su W, Liang Z, Wu Y, Tang L, Li Y, Wu Q, Wang K, Yan L, Zhang R, Gao F, Li G, Ma W. Unidirectional Sidechain Engineering to Construct Dual-Asymmetric Acceptors for 19.23 % Efficiency Organic Solar Cells with Low Energy Loss and Efficient Charge Transfer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202308307. [PMID: 37463122 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Achieving both high open-circuit voltage (Voc ) and short-circuit current density (Jsc ) to boost power-conversion efficiency (PCE) is a major challenge for organic solar cells (OSCs), wherein high energy loss (Eloss ) and inefficient charge transfer usually take place. Here, three new Y-series acceptors of mono-asymmetric asy-YC11 and dual-asymmetric bi-asy-YC9 and bi-asy-YC12 are developed. They share the same asymmetric D1 AD2 (D1 =thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and D2 =selenopheno[3,2-b]thiophene) fused-core but have different unidirectional sidechain on D1 side, allowing fine-tuned molecular properties, such as intermolecular interaction, packing pattern, and crystallinity. Among the binary blends, the PM6 : bi-asy-YC12 one has better morphology with appropriate phase separation and higher order packing than the PM6 : asy-YC9 and PM6 : bi-asy-YC11 ones. Therefore, the PM6 : bi-asy-YC12-based OSCs offer a higher PCE of 17.16 % with both high Voc and Jsc , due to the reduced Eloss and efficient charge transfer properties. Inspired by the high Voc and strong NIR-absorption, bi-asy-YC12 is introduced into efficient binary PM6 : L8-BO to construct ternary OSCs. Thanks to the broadened absorption, optimized morphology, and furtherly minimized Eloss , the PM6 : L8-BO : bi-asy-YC12-based OSCs achieve a champion PCE of 19.23 %, which is one of the highest efficiencies among these annealing-free devices. Our developed unidirectional sidechain engineering for constructing bi-asymmetric Y-series acceptors provides an approach to boost PCE of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunping Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao (GHM) Joint Laboratory for Photonic-Thermal-Electrical Energy Materials and Devices, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jie Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jingshun Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 451191, China
| | - Hairui Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Wenyan Su
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Zezhou Liang
- Key Laboratory for Physical Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education & Shaanxi, Key Lab of Photonic Technique for Information, School of Electronics Science & Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Laboratory of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Novel Semiconductor-Optoelectronics Materials and Devices, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Lingxiao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yuxiang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Kun Wang
- School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 451191, China
| | - Lihe Yan
- Key Laboratory for Physical Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education & Shaanxi, Key Lab of Photonic Technique for Information, School of Electronics Science & Engineering, Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 58183, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao (GHM) Joint Laboratory for Photonic-Thermal-Electrical Energy Materials and Devices, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
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12
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Liu Q, Vandewal K. Understanding and Suppressing Non-Radiative Recombination Losses in Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2302452. [PMID: 37201949 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells benefit from non-fullerene acceptors (NFA) due to their high absorption coefficients, tunable frontier energy levels, and optical gaps, as well as their relatively high luminescence quantum efficiencies as compared to fullerenes. Those merits result in high yields of charge generation at a low or negligible energetic offset at the donor/NFA heterojunction, with efficiencies over 19% achieved for single-junction devices. Pushing this value significantly over 20% requires an increase in open-circuit voltage, which is currently still well below the thermodynamic limit. This can only be achieved by reducing non-radiative recombination, and hereby increasing the electroluminescence quantum efficiency of the photo-active layer. Here, current understanding of the origin of non-radiative decay, as well as an accurate quantification of the associated voltage losses are summarized. Promising strategies for suppressing these losses are highlighted, with focus on new material design, optimization of donor-acceptor combination, and blend morphology. This review aims at guiding researchers in their quest to find future solar harvesting donor-acceptor blends, which combine a high yield of exciton dissociation with a high yield of radiative free carrier recombination and low voltage losses, hereby closing the efficiency gap with inorganic and perovskite photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liu
- Hasselt University, IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, Diepenbeek, 3590, Belgium
- Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center of Energy Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, China
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Hasselt University, IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, Diepenbeek, 3590, Belgium
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13
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Zubair H, Mahmood RF, Waqas M, Ishtiaq M, Iqbal J, Ibrahim MAA, Sayed SRM, Noor S, Khera RA. Effect of tailoring π-linkers with extended conjugation on the SJ-IC molecule for achieving high VOC and improved charge mobility towards enhanced photovoltaic applications. RSC Adv 2023; 13:26050-26068. [PMID: 37664200 PMCID: PMC10472344 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra03317a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The problem of low efficiency of organic solar cells can be solved by improving the charge mobility and open circuit voltage of these cells. The current research aims to present the role of π-linkers, having extended conjugation, between the donor and acceptor moieties of indacenodithiophene core-based A-π-D-π-A type SJ-IC molecule to improve the photovoltaic performance of pre-existing SJ-IC. Several crucial photovoltaic parameters of SJ-IC and seven newly proposed molecules were studied using density functional theory. Surprisingly, this theoretical framework manifested that the tailoring of SJ-IC by replacing its π-linker with linkers having extended π-conjugation gives a redshift in maximum absorption coefficient in the range of 731.69-1112.86 nm in a solvent. In addition, newly designed molecules exhibited significantly narrower bandgaps (ranging from 1.33 eV to 1.93 eV) than SJ-IC having a bandgap of 2.01 eV. Similarly, newly designed molecules show significantly less excitation energy in gaseous and solvent phases than SJ-IC. Furthermore, the reorganization energies of DL1-DL7 are much lower than that of SJ-IC, indicating high charge mobility in these molecules. DL6 and DL7 have shown considerably improved open circuit voltage (VOC), reaching 1.49 eV and 1.48 eV, respectively. Thus, the modification strategy employed herein has been fruitful with productive effects, including better tuning of the energy levels, lower bandgaps, broader absorption, improved charge mobility, and increased VOC. Based on these results, it can be suggested that these newly presented molecules can be considered for practical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Zubair
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan
| | - Rana Farhat Mahmood
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education Township Lahore 54770 Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan
| | - Mariam Ishtiaq
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan
| | - Mahmoud A A Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University Minia 61519 Egypt
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville Campus Durban 4000 South Africa
| | - Shaban R M Sayed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University P. O. Box 2455 Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - Sadia Noor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim Stuttgart 70599 Germany
| | - Rasheed Ahmad Khera
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan
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14
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Yang S, Park J, Jeong S, Cho Y, Jeong M, Oh J, Lee S, Park J, Yoon SJ, Yang C. Conformational Locking Control of 2D Outer Side Chains via Fluorine Atom Positioning for Improving the Thermal Stability of Organic Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:39636-39646. [PMID: 37579241 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c06596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Alongside high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), device stability, especially thermal issues, is another key factor for the successful commercialization of nonfullerene acceptor (NFA)-based organic solar cells (OSCs). Considering the significant effects of the side-chain engineering of NFAs on molecular packing and/or locking strongly associated with the thermal stability of OSCs, herein, we present two new isomeric NFAs with 4-fluoro- and 2-fluoro-substituted hexylphenyl two-dimensional (2D) outer side chains (4FY and 2FY, respectively). In contrast with the 2FY having a horizontal stretching conformation, 4FY exhibits a diagonal stretching conformation of the 2D outer side chains and a higher dipole moment, resulting in a huge difference in their crystalline/aggregation characteristics, i.e., 4FY possesses a higher crystallinity with a denser molecular packing than the 2FY neat film, as evidenced by thermal and morphological characterizations. Encouragingly, relative to the one based on 2FY, the OSC based on 4FY delivers a PCE as high as 16.4%, together with excellent thermal stability (88.4% PCE retention under 85 °C for 360 h), which is attributed to a more optimal and robust blend morphology induced by its better compatibility into the used donor component and stronger crystallinity. This work demonstrates that in addition to the improved photovoltaic property, the appropriate F-positioning on the 2D outer side chains can play a key role in controlling their conformations, which can promote the increase of the thermal stability of OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjin Yang
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Jaeyeong Park
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Seonghun Jeong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Yongjoon Cho
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Center, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Mingyu Jeong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
- KEPCO Research Institute, Korea Electric Power Corporation, 105, Munji-ro, Yuseonggu, Daejeon 34056, South Korea
| | - Jiyeon Oh
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Seunglok Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Jeewon Park
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Seong-Jun Yoon
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Changduk Yang
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Perovtronics Research Center, Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
- Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
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15
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Rasool S, Kim JY. Prospects of glove-box versus air-processed organic solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:19337-19357. [PMID: 37462029 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02591h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
In the search for alternate green energy sources to offset dependence on fossil fuels, solar energy can certainly meet two needs with one deed: fulfil growing global energy demands due to its non-depletable nature and lower greenhouse gas emissions. As such, third generation thin film photovoltaic technology based organic solar cells (OSCs) can certainly play their role in providing electricity at a competing or lower cost than 1st and 2nd generation solar technologies. As OSCs are still at an early stage of research and development, much focus has been placed on improving power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) inside a controlled environment i.e. a glove-box (GB) filled with an inert gas such as N2. This was necessary until now, to control and study the local nanomorphology of the spin-coated blend films. For OSCs to compete with other solar energy technologies, OSCs should produce similar or even better morphologies in an open environment i.e. air, such that air-processed OSCs can result in similar PCEs in comparison to their GB-processed counterparts. In this review, we have compared GB- vs. air-processed OSCs from morphological and device physics aspects and underline the key features of efficient OSCs, processed in either GB or air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafket Rasool
- Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, South Korea.
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, South Korea.
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16
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Busireddy MR, Huang SC, Su YJ, Lee ZY, Wang CH, Scharber MC, Chen JT, Hsu CS. Eco-Friendly Solvent-Processed Dithienosilicon-Bridged Carbazole-Based Small-Molecule Acceptors Achieved over 25.7% PCE in Ternary Devices under Indoor Conditions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:24658-24669. [PMID: 37186869 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Terminal acceptor atoms and side-chain functionalization play a vital role in the construction of efficient nonfullerene small-molecule acceptors (NF-SMAs) for AM1.5G/indoor organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications. In this work, we report three dithienosilicon-bridged carbazole-based (DTSiC) ladder-type (A-DD'D-A) NF-SMAs for AM1.5G/indoor OPVs. First, we synthesize DTSiC-4F and DTSiC-2M, which are composed of a fused DTSiC-based central core with difluorinated 1,1-dicyanomethylene-3-indanone (2F-IC) and methylated IC (M-IC) end groups, respectively. Then, alkoxy chains are introduced in the fused carbazole backbone of DTSiC-4F to form DTSiCODe-4F. From solution to film absorption, DTSiC-4F exhibits a bathochromic shift with strong π-π interactions, which improves the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and the fill factor (FF). On the other hand, DTSiC-2M and DTSiCODe-4F display up-shifting lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, which enhances the open-circuit voltage (Voc). As a result, under both AM1.5G/indoor conditions, the devices based on PM7:DTSiC-4F, PM7:DTSiC-2M, and PM7:DTSiCOCe-4F show power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 13.13/21.80%, 8.62/20.02, and 9.41/20.56%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of a third component to the active layer of binary devices is also a simple and efficient strategy to achieve higher photovoltaic efficiencies. Therefore, the conjugated polymer donor PTO2 is introduced into the PM7:DTSiC-4F active layer because of the hypsochromically shifted complementary absorption, deep highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level, good miscibility with PM7 and DTSiC-4F, and optimal film morphology. The resulting ternary OSC device based on PTO2:PM7:DTSiC-4F can improve exciton generation, phase separation, charge transport, and charge extraction. As a consequence, the PTO2:PM7:DTSiC-4F-based ternary device achieves an outstanding PCE of 13.33/25.70% under AM1.5G/indoor conditions. As far as we know, the obtained PCE results under indoor conditions are one of the best binary/ternary-based systems processed from eco-friendly solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manohar Reddy Busireddy
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Ci Huang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jia Su
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Ze-Ye Lee
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Hsin Wang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Markus C Scharber
- Linz Institute of Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Institute of Physical Chemistry, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chain-Shu Hsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Center for Emergent Functional Matter Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 University Rood, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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17
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Shi S, Zhang S, Xue Z, Yao X, Zhang G, Gao J, Li Y, Tu X, Zhang S, Zhang C, Liu Z, Tang Z, Zhong H, Li W, Fei Z. Near-Infrared Acceptors with Imide-Containing End Groups for Organic Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:12119-12126. [PMID: 36821101 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Near-infrared electron acceptors for organic solar cells (OSCs) mostly contain electron-withdrawing 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile (IC) end groups, which can be modified by but limited to phenyl, thienyl, and naphthyl units with halogenated, methyl, and methyloxy substitution. In this work, we employed an imide-containing unit to construct a new IC end group, based on which a series of new electron acceptors were synthesized. The strong electron-deficient nature of imide units enables the new acceptors to show efficient intramolecular charge transfer and hence red-shifted absorption spectra compared to their IC counterparts. These new electron acceptors were applied to OSCs, providing efficiencies of over 17% with a low voltage loss of 0.52 eV. These results demonstrate that the new imide-containing end groups are promising fragments for the construction of near-infrared electron acceptors for high-performance OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiling Shi
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Shimin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Aging, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyuan Xue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Aging, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Yao
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, P. R. China
| | - Guangcong Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxing Gao
- 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, P. R. China
| | - Yanru Li
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xueyang Tu
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Chan Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Zhongwei Liu
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. 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, P. R. China
| | - Hongliang Zhong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Key Lab of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Aging, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering & State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, P. R. China
| | - Zhuping Fei
- Institute of Molecular Plus and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, P. R. China
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18
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Zheng R, Zhang C, Zhang A, Xue J, Xu X, Liu Y, Su CJ, Ma W, Yang C, Bo Z. Effect of Steric Hindrance at the Anthracene Core on the Photovoltaic Performance of Simple Nonfused Ring Electron Acceptors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:4275-4283. [PMID: 36645327 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22292] [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
Solving the contradiction between good solubility and dense packing is a challenge in designing high-performance nonfullerene acceptors. Herein, two simple nonfused ring electron acceptors (o-AT-2Cl and m-AT-2Cl) carrying ortho- or meta-substituted hexyloxy side chains can be facilely synthesized in only three steps. The two ortho-substituted phenyl side chains in o-AT-2Cl cannot freely rotate due to a big steric hindrance, which endows the acceptor with good solubility. Moreover, o-AT-2Cl displays a more ordered packing than m-AT-2Cl as revealed by the absorption measurement. When blended with polymer donor D18 for the fabrication of organic solar cells (OSCs), o-AT-2Cl-based devices exhibit a favorable morphology, more efficient exciton dissociation, and better charge transport. Consequently, the optimal OSCs based on D18:o-AT-2Cl exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.8%, which is significantly higher than the moderate PCE (7.66%) for D18:m-AT-2Cl-based devices. Remarkably, o-AT-2Cl shows a higher figure-of-merit value compared with classic high-efficiency fused ring electron acceptors. As a result, our research succeeds in obtaining nonfused ring acceptors with cost-effective photovoltaic performance and provides a valuable experience for simultaneously improving solubility as well as ensuring ordered packing of acceptors through regulating the steric hindrance via changing the position of substituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Cai'e Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, China
| | - Andong Zhang
- College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-fibers and Eco-textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Jingwei Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xinjun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
| | - Yahui Liu
- College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-fibers and Eco-textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Chun-Jen Su
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Chuluo Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of New Information Display and Storage Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, China
| | - Zhishan Bo
- Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
- College of Textiles & Clothing, State Key Laboratory of Bio-fibers and Eco-textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
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19
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Inner alkyl chain modulation of small molecular acceptors enables molecular packing optimization and efficient organic solar cells. Sci China Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-022-1451-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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20
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Chen S, Hong L, Dong M, Deng W, Shao L, Bai Y, Zhang K, Liu C, Wu H, Huang F. A Polyfluoroalkyl-Containing Non-fullerene Acceptor Enables Self-Stratification in Organic Solar Cells. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202213869. [PMID: 36333961 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202213869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The elaborate control of the vertical phase distribution within an active layer is critical to ensuring the high performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), but is challenging. Herein, a self-stratification active layer is realised by adding a novel polyfluoroalkyl-containing non-fullerene small-molecule acceptor (NFSMA), EH-C8 F17 , as the guest into PM6:BTP-eC9 blend. A favourable vertical morphology was obtained with an upper acceptor-enriched thin layer and a lower undisturbed bulk heterojunction layer. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency of 18.03 % was achieved, higher than the efficiency of 17.40 % for the device without EH-C8 F17 . Additionally, benefiting from the improved charge transport and collection realised by this self-stratification strategy, the OSC with a thickness of 350 nm had an impressive PCE of 16.89 %. The results of the study indicate that polyfluoroalkyl-containing NFSMA-assisted self-stratification within the active layer is effective for realising an ideal morphology for high-performance OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Ling Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Minghao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Wanyuan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Lin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Yuanqing Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Chunchen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Hongbin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Fei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
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21
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Huang M, Hu T, Han G, Li C, Zhu L, Zhou J, Xie Z, Sun Y, Yi Y. Toward Quantifying the Relation between Exciton Binding Energies and Molecular Packing. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:11065-11070. [PMID: 36416780 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c03043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Reducing the exciton binding energy Eb of organic photoactive materials is critical to minimize the energy loss and improve the photovoltaic efficiency of organic solar cells. However, the relation between the Eb and molecular packing is not well understood. Herein, the Eb in the crystals of a series of A-D-A type nonfullerene acceptors with different lengths of alkyl side chains has been examined by self-consistent quantum mechanics/embedded charge calculations. The variation of molecular packing induced by the different alkyl chains can have an important impact on the polarization effect of charge carriers and thereby the Eb. More interestingly, the Eb values are found to be linearly increased with the ratio of the void fraction vs the packing coefficient of molecular backbones in the solid crystals. Owing to the smallest ratio, a remarkable low Eb of several tens of meV is achieved for the acceptor with an optimal length of alkyl chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaofei Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Taiping Hu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Guangchao Han
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chao Li
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lingyun Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jiadong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, 510640 Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengqi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, 510640 Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanming Sun
- School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanping Yi
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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22
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An Organic Small Molecule as a Solid Additive in Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells with Improved Efficiency and Operational Stability. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-022-2860-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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23
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Jeon SJ, Yang NG, Kim YH, Yun JH, Moon DK. Bihalogenated Thiophene-Based Terpolymers for High-Performance Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells Processed by an Eco-Friendly Solvent and Layer-by-Layer Deposition. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:38031-38047. [PMID: 35960878 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c10286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The development of photoactive materials simultaneously satisfying high performance, low cost, and eco-friendly processability remains challenging in organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, a synergistic strategy is proposed to design three terpolymers (PM7(ClCl = 0.2), PM7(ClBr = 0.2), and PM7(BrBr = 0.2)) based on bihalogenated thiophenes with relatively low cost, for improving the optical and electrochemical properties, solubility in nontoxic solvents, and crystallinity and miscibility balance. In summary, a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ)-processed device based on PM7(ClCl = 0.2) with 20% dichlorinated thiophene achieves the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.2% using toluene (best PCE ≈ 15.8% on the ternary blend). Moreover, high-performance semitransparent OSCs (ST-OSCs) were fabricated by a combination of layer-by-layer (LBL) and sequential dynamic and static spin-coating techniques according to the molecular weight of PM7(ClCl = 0.2). Using this unique LBL strategy, the PM7(ClCl = 0.2)-MW (H; high molecular weight)-processed ST-OSCs yield a high PCE of 11.5% and an average visible transmittance (AVT) of 27.1% with outstanding tolerance to device reproducibility. By optimizing ST-OSCs with tungsten trioxide as a distributed Bragg reflector, a light utilization efficiency (LUE) of 3.61% is realized with a PCE of 10.8% and an AVT of 33.4% (certified PCE ≈ 11.157%; LUE ≈ 3.73%). This study provides a novel perspective for designing and developing actual photoactive materials for OSC commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Jae Jeon
- Nano and Information Materials (NIMs) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Nam Gyu Yang
- Nano and Information Materials (NIMs) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Young Hoon Kim
- Nano and Information Materials (NIMs) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Ji Hee Yun
- Nano and Information Materials (NIMs) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Doo Kyung Moon
- Nano and Information Materials (NIMs) Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Konkuk University, 120, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea
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24
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Zhang G, Lin FR, Qi F, Heumüller T, Distler A, Egelhaaf HJ, Li N, Chow PCY, Brabec CJ, Jen AKY, Yip HL. Renewed Prospects for Organic Photovoltaics. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14180-14274. [PMID: 35929847 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have progressed steadily through three stages of photoactive materials development: (i) use of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and fullerene-based acceptors (FAs) for optimizing bulk heterojunctions; (ii) development of new donors to better match with FAs; (iii) development of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). The development and application of NFAs with an A-D-A configuration (where A = acceptor and D = donor) has enabled devices to have efficient charge generation and small energy losses (Eloss < 0.6 eV), resulting in substantially higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) than FA-based devices. The discovery of Y6-type acceptors (Y6 = 2,2'-((2Z,2'Z)-((12,13-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,9-diundecyl-12,13-dihydro-[1,2,5]-thiadiazolo[3,4-e]-thieno[2″,3″:4',5']thieno-[2',3':4,5]pyrrolo-[3,2-g]thieno-[2',3':4,5]thieno-[3,2-b]indole-2,10-diyl)bis(methanylylidene))bis(5,6-difluoro-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-2,1-diylidene))dimalononitrile) with an A-DA' D-A configuration has further propelled the PCEs to go beyond 15% due to smaller Eloss values (∼0.5 eV) and higher external quantum efficiencies. Subsequently, the PCEs of Y6-series single-junction devices have increased to >19% and may soon approach 20%. This review provides an update of recent progress of OPV in the following aspects: developments of novel NFAs and donors, understanding of the structure-property relationships and underlying mechanisms of state-of-the-art OPVs, and tasks underpinning the commercialization of OPVs, such as device stability, module development, potential applications, and high-throughput manufacturing. Finally, an outlook and prospects section summarizes the remaining challenges for the further development of OPV technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guichuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,School of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Francis R Lin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Thomas Heumüller
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstrasse 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Distler
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Egelhaaf
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstrasse 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Philip C Y Chow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christoph J Brabec
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET), Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstrasse 7, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.,Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Immerwahrstrasse 2, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hin-Lap Yip
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China
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25
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Ouyang J, Wu F, Zhao X, Yang X. Regulating the Crystallinity and Self-Aggregation of Fused Ring Electron Acceptors via Branched Side-Chain Engineering for Efficient Organic Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2201769. [PMID: 35674332 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fine-tuning the crystallinity and self-aggregation features of donors/acceptor materials toward high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs) is of crucial importance. Here, a convenient yet effective way to simultaneously control the crystallinity and self-aggregation of the fused ring electron acceptor (FREA) is demonstrated by altering the length of the first-position branched alkyl chain on the cyclic unit. Specifically, three carbazole-based FREAs, 4TC-4F-C6C6, 4TC-4F-C8C8, and 4TC-4F-C10C10, are synthesized by changing the length of the first-position branched alkyl chain on the carbazole unit. The crystallinity of the studied acceptors decreases as the branched alkyl chain is lengthened. The ability of the acceptors to undergo self-aggregation decreases in the order 4TC-4F-C10C10, 4TC-4F-C6C6, and 4TC-4F-C8C8. The medium crystallinity and lower self-aggregation properties of 4TC-4F-C8C8 result in favorable phase separation when blended with poly-[(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl-3-fluoro)thiophen-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene))-alt-(5,5-(1',3'-di-2-thienyl-5',7'-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1',2'-c:4',5'-c']dithiophene-4,8-dione))] (PM6), which is conducive to effective exciton dissociation and charge transport. Consequently, the OSC device based on PM6:4TC-4F-C8C8 delivers the best power conversion efficiency of 14.85%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- Polymer Composites Engineering Laboratory, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Fan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- Polymer Composites Engineering Laboratory, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoniu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- Polymer Composites Engineering Laboratory, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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26
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Liu YX, Wang L, Zhou K, Wu HB, Zhou XB, Ma ZF, Guo SW, Ma W. Subtle Alignment of Organic Semiconductors at the Donor/Acceptor Heterojunction Facilitates the Photoelectric Conversion Process. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-022-2759-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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27
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Xin J, Feng J, Lin B, Naveed HB, Xue J, Zheng N, Ma W. The Importance of Nonequilibrium to Equilibrium Transition Pathways for the Efficiency and Stability of Organic Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200608. [PMID: 35344263 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Controlled morphology of solution-processed thin films have realized impressive achievements for non-fullerene acceptor (NFA)-based organic solar cells (OSCs). Given the large set of donor-acceptor pairs, employing various processing conditions to realize optimal morphology for high efficiency and stable OSCs is a strenuous task. Therefore, comprehensive correlations between processing conditions and morphology evolution pathways have to be developed for efficient performance and stability of devices. Within the framework of the blend system, crystallization transitions of NFA molecules are tracked utilizing the first heating scan of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurement correlating with respective morphology evolution of blend films. Real-time dynamics measurements and morphology characterizations are combined to provide optimal morphology transition pathways as NFA molecules are shown to be released from the mixed-phase to form balanced ordered packing with variant processing conditions. Polymer:NFA films are fabricated using blade coating incorporating solvent additive or thermal annealing as processing conditions as a correlation is formulated between performance and stability of solar cells with morphology transition pathways. This work demonstrates the significance of processing condition-controlled transition pathways for the realization of optimal morphology leading to superior OSC devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingming Xin
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Jirui Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Baojun Lin
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Hafiz Bilal Naveed
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Jingwei Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Nan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
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29
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Zhou Y, Li M, Yu N, Shen S, Song J, Ma Z, Bo Z. Simple Tricyclic-Based A-π-D-π-A-Type Nonfullerene Acceptors for High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:6039-6047. [PMID: 35061346 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c22520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nonfused-ring electron acceptors have attracted much attention in recent years due to their advantages of simple synthetic routes, high yields, low costs, reasonable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), and so on. Herein, three simple A-π-D-π-A-type acceptors (DTC-BO-4F, DTS-BO-4F, and DTP-BO-4F) comprising a tricyclic fused-ring core, two 2,5-bis(alkyloxy)phenylene spacers, and two difluorinated terminal groups (DF-IC) were developed. Compared with DTS-BO-4F, DTC-BO-4F and DTP-BO-4F exhibit higher molar extinction coefficients, stronger crystallinity, and more orderly stacking. The PBDB-T:DTC-BO-4F-based blend film shows suitable phase separation and higher and more balanced charge mobilities. Finally, the photovoltaic devices based on DTC-BO-4F give an outstanding PCE of 13.26% with a small nonradiative voltage loss of 0.23 eV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Miao Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Na Yu
- 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, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Shuaishuai Shen
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jinsheng Song
- Engineering Research Center for Nanomaterials, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zaifei Ma
- 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, 201620 Shanghai, China
| | - Zhishan Bo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Materials, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Yasa M, Toppare L. Thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione‐based conjugated polymers for non‐fullerene organic solar cells. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Yasa
- Department of Polymer Science and Technology Middle East Technical University Ankara 06800 Turkey
| | - Levent Toppare
- Department of Chemistry Middle East Technical University Ankara 06800 Turkey
- Department of Polymer Science and Technology Middle East Technical University Ankara 06800 Turkey
- The Center for Solar Energy Research and Application (GUNAM) Middle East Technical University Ankara 06800 Turkey
- Department of Biotechnology Middle East Technical University Ankara 06800 Turkey
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31
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Synergistic enhancement in open-circuit voltage and photovoltaic performance via linear naphthyldithiophene building block. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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32
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Dai T, Tang A, Wang J, He Z, Li X, Guo Q, Chen X, Ding L, Zhou E. The subtle Structure Modulation of A 2 -A 1 -D-A 1 -A 2 type Nonfullerene Acceptors Extends the Photoelectric Response for High Voltage Organic Photovoltaic Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2100810. [PMID: 35080281 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
To realize high-voltage organic photovoltaic (OPV) for indoor application and tandem solar cells, both electron-donor and acceptor in the active layer usually adopt wide-bandgap materials. However, the consequent small energy offsets may impede the dissociation of excitons, together with the inadequate light-harvesting, usually leading to the relatively low photocurrent. In this work, we utilize molecular structural modifications to improve the short-circuit current (JSC ) of the high-voltage OPV. With the classic non-fullerene acceptor (NFA), BTA3, as a benchmark, BTA3b contains the linear alkyl chains on the middle core, and JC14 further fuses thiophene ring on BTA unit. We deeply studied the effect of structural modification on broadening the photoelectric response and device performance by using a benzotriazole-based polymer J52-F as donor. The photovoltaic devices based o N J52-F: : BTA3b an D J52-F: : JC14 achieve wider external quantum efficiency (EQE) responses with band edges of 730 and 800 nm respectively, which are about 15 and 85 nm wider than that of the device based o N J52-F: : BTA3. The JSC of the BTA3b and JC14 are accordingly increased to 14.08 and 15.78 mA cm-2 respectively in comparison with BTA3 (11.56 mA cm-2 ). The smaller Urbach energy of 28.16 meV and higher electroluminescence efficiency guarante E J52-F: : JC14 a decreased energy loss (0.528 eV) and a high VOC of 1.07 V. Finally , J52-F: : JC14 combination achieves an increased PCE of 10.33% than that o F J52-F: : BTA3b (PCE = 9.81%) an D J52-F: : BTA3 (PCE = 9.04%). Overall, our research results indicate that subtle structure modification of non-fullerene acceptors, especially introducing fused ring, is a simple and effective strategy to extend the photoelectric response and achieve small energy loss, consequently boosting the JSC and ensuring a high VOC beyond 1.0 V. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Dai
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ailing Tang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jiacheng Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zehua He
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China.,Henan Institutes of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xianda Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China.,Henan Institutes of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Henan Institutes of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Xingguo Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory on Organic and Polymeric Opto-electronic Materials, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Liming Ding
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China.,Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Liu Y, Zhou K, Zhou X, Xue W, Bi Z, Wu H, Ma Z, Ma W. Strengthening the Intermolecular Interaction of Prototypical Semicrystalline Conjugated Polymer Enables Improved Photocurrent Generation at the Heterojunction. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2100871. [PMID: 35075733 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The molecular packing structure of conjugated polymers are crucial in determining their optoelectronic properties. The intra and intermolecular interactions (J- and H-type aggregation) in the conjugated polymer films were found to readily facilitate the electron and hole transport, respectively. However, how those different aggregation types influence the photocurrent generation process at the heterojunction is still mysterious, especially for the newly developed semicrystalline conjugated polymers. Here, the prototypical copolymer PM6 is used as a model semicrystalline polymer to tune the relative content of aggregation types with various halogen-free processing solvents. Various measurements reveal that the toluene-processed PM6 film exhibits the increased H-aggregates and crystallinity in the π-π stacking direction compared to its o-Xylene- and trimethylbenzene (TMB)-processed counterparts. This is partly resulted from the weak steric effect and good solubility in the PM6 solution prepared with toluene bearing small molar volume, which strengthens the intermolecular interaction of adjacent polymer segments. After analyzing the photovoltaic properties of the different PM6/Y6 bilayer devices, the faster charge carrier transport, smaller charge recombination, lower energy losses and interfacial energetic disorder can be observed in the toluene-processed device, leading to the synergistically improved short-circuit current density (JSC ) and open-circuit voltage (VOC ). Our findings indicate that the control of the molecular packing structure in terms of aggregation types is a powerful strategy to promote the photocurrent generation process at the conjugated polymer-based heterojunction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Ke Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Wenyue Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Zhaozhao Bi
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Hongbo Wu
- 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
| | - Zaifei Ma
- 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
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
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Nakano K, Terado K, Kaji Y, Yoshida H, Tajima K. Reduction of Electric Current Loss by Aggregation-Induced Molecular Alignment of a Non-Fullerene Acceptor in Organic Photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:60299-60305. [PMID: 34889588 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c19275] [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
Y6 is a recently developed non-fullerene electron acceptor (NFA) with dithienothiophen[3.2-b]-pyrrolobenzothiadiazole as the central unit and improves the performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) in combination with many electron-donor polymers. Although Y6 has desirable electronic properties for OPVs, the origin of its superiority as an acceptor is unclear. This study empirically investigates why Y6 is an excellent acceptor by comparing Y6 with F8IC, an analogue with a similar electronic structure, in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPVs with various electron-acceptor concentrations. The difference in the performance between Y6 and F8IC appears only at high concentrations, suggesting that it originates from the aggregation structures of the NFAs in the BHJs. Electric current loss analysis reveals that the exciton loss and non-geminate recombination are suppressed more strongly in Y6 OPVs than in F8IC OPVs. Variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry shows that Y6 molecules align in the in-plane direction at high concentrations, contributing to the high charge generation rate via efficient exciton collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Nakano
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Kosuke Terado
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Yumiko Kaji
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yoshida
- Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Molecular Chirality Research Center, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tajima
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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Yi A, Chae S, Yoon H, Kim HJ. Insights into the Structural and Morphological Properties of Layer-by-Layer Processed Organic Photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:60288-60298. [PMID: 34889097 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recently, with the development of figure-of-merit non-fullerene acceptor materials combined with a ternary strategy and layer-by-layer (LbL) processing, the efficiency of single-junction organic solar cells has exceeded 18%. However, the structural properties of LbL-processed films have not been sufficiently elucidated. Herein, we systematically investigate films fabricated via LbL processing of three different systems, including a ternary system. In particular, we focus on the structural and morphological transitions associated with the diffusion process controlled by thermal annealing and an additive solvent. Different diffusion and crystal formation mechanisms were clearly identified, which were observed to be dependent on the characteristics of the upper layer formed during the LbL process. Based on this insight, the photovoltaic properties associated with various LbL conditions are elucidated, and an ideal path toward a better device is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahra Yi
- Department of Organic Material Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmin Chae
- Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Haeun Yoon
- Department of Organic Material Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Kim
- Department of Organic Material Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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36
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Schweda B, Reinfelds M, Hofstadler P, Trimmel G, Rath T. Recent Progress in the Design of Fused-Ring Non-Fullerene Acceptors-Relations between Molecular Structure and Optical, Electronic, and Photovoltaic Properties. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2021; 4:11899-11981. [PMID: 35856015 PMCID: PMC9286321 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.1c01737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells are on the dawn of the next era. The change of focus toward non-fullerene acceptors has introduced an enormous amount of organic n-type materials and has drastically increased the power conversion efficiencies of organic photovoltaics, now exceeding 18%, a value that was believed to be unreachable some years ago. In this Review, we summarize the recent progress in the design of ladder-type fused-ring non-fullerene acceptors in the years 2018-2020. We thereby concentrate on single layer heterojunction solar cells and omit tandem architectures as well as ternary solar cells. By analyzing more than 700 structures, we highlight the basic design principles and their influence on the optical and electrical structure of the acceptor molecules and review their photovoltaic performance obtained so far. This Review should give an extensive overview of the plenitude of acceptor motifs but will also help to understand which structures and strategies are beneficial for designing materials for highly efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells.
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37
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Yu R, Wu G, Cui Y, Wei X, Hong L, Zhang T, Zou C, Hu S, Hou J, Tan Z. Multi-Functional Solid Additive Induced Favorable Vertical Phase Separation and Ordered Molecular Packing for Highly Efficient Layer-by-Layer Organic Solar Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2103497. [PMID: 34622540 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition strategy enabling favorable vertical phase distributions has been regarded as promising candidates for constructing high-efficient organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. However, solid additives with the merits of good stability and reproducibility have been rarely used to fine-tune the morphology of the LBL films for improved efficiency and stability. Herein, hierarchical morphology control in LBL OPV is achieved via a dual functional solid additive. Series of LBL devices are fabricated by introducing the solid additive individually or simultaneously to the donor or acceptor layer to clarify the functions of additives. Additive in the donor layer can facilitate the formation of preferable vertical component distribution, and that in the acceptor layer will enhance the molecular crystallinity for better charge transport properties. The optimized morphology ultimately contributed to high PCEs of 16.4% and 17.4% in the binary and quaternary LBL devices. This reported method provides an alternative way to controllably manipulate the morphology of LBL OPV cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runnan Yu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guangzheng Wu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xueqi Wei
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ling Hong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Chao Zou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Siqian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Jianhui Hou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zhan'ao Tan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
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38
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Cigánek M, Richtár J, Weiter M, Krajčovič J. Organic π‐Conjugated Molecules: From Nature to Artificial Applications. Where are the Boundaries? Isr J Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cigánek
- Brno University of Technology Faculty of Chemistry Materials Research Centre Purkyňova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Jan Richtár
- Brno University of Technology Faculty of Chemistry Materials Research Centre Purkyňova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Martin Weiter
- Brno University of Technology Faculty of Chemistry Materials Research Centre Purkyňova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Krajčovič
- Brno University of Technology Faculty of Chemistry Materials Research Centre Purkyňova 118 612 00 Brno Czech Republic
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39
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Raheem AA, Murugan P, Shanmugam R, Praveen C. Azulene Bridged π-Distorted Chromophores: The Influence of Structural Symmetry on Optoelectrochemical and Photovoltaic Parameters. Chempluschem 2021; 86:1451-1460. [PMID: 34648248 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202100392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Conjugated chromophores possessing π-twisted functionality such as tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) have emerged as promising active layer materials for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). In this study, we disclose the synthesis of two azulenyl chromophores containing one and two TCBD groups. The symmetrical and unsymmetrical structural characteristics of these molecules inflict dissimilar optoelectronic and electrochemical properties. Based on molar absorptivity, aggregation behavior, HOMO-LUMO energies and other quantum chemical parameters, the symmetrical molecule (TATC2) appears to be a better non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) compared to its unsymmetrical counterpart (TATC1). For instance, higher absorptivity and deeper HOMO-LUMO levels for TATC2 (23950 M-1 cm-1 ; -6.01 eV/-3.86 eV) over TATC1 (12200 M1 cm-1 ; -5.46 eV/-3.64 eV) was observed. Validating this structure-property relationship on solar cell prototypes exhibited higher photovoltaic parameters (VOC =0.54 V, FF=0.48, JSC =6.42 mA/cm2 ) for TATC2 than TATC1 (VOC =0.47 V, FF=0.38, JSC =5.77 mA/cm2 ). Though the device parameters are not high, this work uncovers the intrinsic properties of azulene-tethered twisted chromophores as potential π-semiconductor choice for NFA solar cells. In particular, this report explores the utility of azulene-based π-twisted semiconductors as acceptor material for OPVs with cell efficiencies of 1.70 and 1.04 % for TATC2 and TATC1 respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbasriyaludeen Abdul Raheem
- Electrochemical Power Sources Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR Laboratory), Karaikudi-630003, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Palanichamy Murugan
- Electrochemical Power Sources Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR Laboratory), Karaikudi-630003, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramasamy Shanmugam
- Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College, Madurai-625009, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chandrasekar Praveen
- Electrochemical Power Sources Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR Laboratory), Karaikudi-630003, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Guo J, Hu K, Qiu B, Zhang J, Yang D, Zhou L, Li S, Meng L, Zhang Z, Li Y. Fine-Tuning Miscibility and π-π Stacking by Alkylthio Side Chains of Donor Molecules Enables High-Performance All-Small-Molecule Organic Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:36033-36043. [PMID: 34288666 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c06830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Optimization of morphology and precise control of miscibility between donors and acceptors play an important role in improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all-small-molecule organic solar cells (SM-OSCs). Besides device optimization, methods such as additives and thermal annealing are applied for finely tuning bulk-heterojunction morphology; strategies of molecular design are also the key to achieve efficient phase separation. Here, a series of A-D-A-type small-molecule donors (SM4, SM8, and SM12) based on benzodithiophene units were synthesized with different lengths of alkylthio side chains to regulate crystallinity, and their miscibility with the acceptor (BO-4Cl) was investigated. Consequently, SM4 with a short alkylthio substituent had a high crystallization propensity, leading to the oversized molecular domains and the poor morphology of the active layer. Meanwhile, SM12 with a longer alkylthio substituent showed weak crystallinity, causing a relatively looser π-π stacking and thus adversely affecting charge-carrier transport. The SM-OSC based on the small-molecule donor SM8 with a mid-length alkylthio substituent achieved a better PCE over 13%, which was attributed to a more harmonious blend miscibility without sacrificing carrier-charge transport. Eventually, the modulation of phase separation and miscibility via controlling the lateral side chains has proven its potential in optimizing the blend morphology to aid the development of highly efficient SM-OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ke Hu
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Beibei Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Solid State Optoelectronic Devices of Zhejiang Province, College of Physics and Electronic Information Engineering, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, China
| | - Jinyuan Zhang
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dengchen Yang
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Liuyang Zhou
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shaman Li
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Lei Meng
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Zhanjun Zhang
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongfang Li
- School of Chemical Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Laboratory of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
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Muhammad Asif Iqbal M, Yasir Mehboob M, Hussain R, Adnan M, Irshad Z. Synergistic effects of fluorine, chlorine and bromine-substituted end-capped acceptor materials for highly efficient organic solar cells. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2021.113335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PC60BM/Mg-Al organic solar cells (OSCs) were fabricated depending on optimization of Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-Butyric-Acid-Methyl Ester (PC60BM). The optimization of the active layer, P3HT:PC60BM, was carried out under different spin frequencies coating from 900 to 3000 rpm. The post-production annealing temperature of all prepared OSC was studied from 130 to 190 °C. The holes transport layer, poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), was prepared under constant conditions of 3000 rpm for 35 s, and annealing temperature 178 °C for 15 min. From our study, the optimum conditions for P3HT:PC60BM were spin coating of 3000 rpm, and annealing temperature of 160 °C for 5 min. The optimum J-V parameters values for the prepared OSC were JSC = 12.01 mA/cm2, VOC = 660 mV, FF = 59%, PCE = 4.65%, and EQE = 61%. A complete OSC with acceptable efficiency was designed using simple and low-cost techniques that may be utilized in the industry. Furthermore, the cost of the synthesized solar cell is projected to be around 1 $/cm2, with the goal of lowering the cost and increasing efficiency in the future by incorporating more commercial nanostructured electron/hole transport components.
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Zhang X, Li C, Qin L, Chen H, Yu J, Wei Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Wei Z, Gao F, Peng Q, Huang H. Side‐Chain Engineering for Enhancing the Molecular Rigidity and Photovoltaic Performance of Noncovalently Fused‐Ring Electron Acceptors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202106753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Linqing Qin
- 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Hao Chen
- 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Jianwei Yu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) Linköping University Linköping 58183 Sweden
| | - 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Xingzheng Liu
- 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS) & Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS) National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS) & Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS) National Center for Nanoscience and Technology Beijing 100190 China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) Linköping University Linköping 58183 Sweden
| | - Qian Peng
- School of Chemical Sciences 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 Physics University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
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Zhang X, Li C, Qin L, Chen H, Yu J, Wei Y, Liu X, Zhang J, Wei Z, Gao F, Peng Q, Huang H. Side-Chain Engineering for Enhancing the Molecular Rigidity and Photovoltaic Performance of Noncovalently Fused-Ring Electron Acceptors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:17720-17725. [PMID: 34060196 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202106753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Side-chain engineering is an effective strategy to regulate the solubility and packing behavior of organic materials. Recently, a unique strategy, so-called terminal side-chain (T-SC) engineering, has attracted much attention in the field of organic solar cells (OSCs), but there is a lack of deep understanding of the mechanism. Herein, a new noncovalently fused-ring electron acceptor (NFREA) containing two T-SCs (NoCA-5) was designed and synthesized. Introduction of T-SCs can enhance molecular rigidity and intermolecular π-π stacking, which is confirmed by the smaller Stokes shift value, lower reorganization free energy, and shorter π-π stacking distance in comparison to NoCA-1. Hence, the NoCA-5-based device exhibits a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.82 % in labs and a certified PCE of 14.5 %, resulting from a high electron mobility, a short charge-extraction time, a small Urbach energy (Eu ), and a favorable phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Linqing Qin
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hao Chen
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianwei Yu
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xingzheng Liu
- 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS) & Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- Center for Excellence in Nanoscience (CAS) & Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication (CAS), National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - Qian Peng
- School of Chemical Sciences, 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 Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Im C, Kang SW, Choi JY, An J. Comparing Donor- and Acceptor-Originated Exciton Dynamics in Non-Fullerene Acceptor Blend Polymeric Systems. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1770. [PMID: 34071335 PMCID: PMC8199303 DOI: 10.3390/polym13111770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-fullerene type acceptors (NFA) have gained attention owing to their spectral extension that enables efficient solar energy capturing. For instance, the solely NFA-mediated absorbing region contributes to the photovoltaic power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as ~30%, in the case of the solar cells comprised of fluorinated materials, PBDB-T-2F and ITIC-4F. This implies that NFAs must be able to serve as electron donors, even though they are conventionally assigned as electron acceptors. Therefore, the pathways of NFA-originated excitons need to be explored by the spectrally resolved photovoltaic characters. Additionally, excitation wavelength dependent transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) was performed to trace the nature of the NFA-originated excitons and polymeric donor-originated excitons separately. Unique origin-dependent decay behaviors of the blend system were found by successive comparing of those solutions and pristine films which showed a dramatic change upon film formation. With the obtained experimental results, including TAS, a possible model describing origin-dependent decay pathways was suggested in the framework of reaction kinetics. Finally, numerical simulations based on the suggested model were performed to verify the feasibility, achieving reasonable correlation with experimental observables. The results should provide deeper insights in to renewable energy strategies by using novel material classes that are compatible with flexible electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Im
- Department of Chemistry, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-W.K.); (J.-Y.C.); (J.A.)
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Pan J, Shi Y, Yu J, Zhang H, Liu Y, Zhang J, Gao F, Yu X, Lu K, Wei Z. π-Extended Nonfullerene Acceptors for Efficient Organic Solar Cells with a High Open-Circuit Voltage of 0.94 V and a Low Energy Loss of 0.49 eV. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:22531-22539. [PMID: 33955726 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c04273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A combination of high open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) typically creates effective organic solar cells (OSCs). Y5, a member of the Y-series acceptors, can achieve high Voc of 0.94 V with PM6 but low Jsc of 12.8 mA cm-2. To maintain the high Voc while increasing the Jsc of devices, we developed a new nonfullerene acceptor, namely, BTP-C2C4-N, by extending the conjugation of a Y5 molecule with a naphthalene-based end acceptor. In comparison with Y5-based devices, PM6:BTP-C2C4-N-based devices exhibited significantly higher Jsc of 18.2 mA cm-2 followed by a high Voc. To further increase the photovoltaic properties of BTP-C2C4-N analogues, BTP-C4C6-N and BTP-C6C8-N molecules with better processability and film morphology are obtained by adjusting the alkyl branched chain length. The optimized OSCs based on BTP-C4C6-N with a moderate alkyl branched chain length exhibited the best PCE of 12.4% with a high Voc of 0.94 V and Jsc of 20.7 mA cm-2. Notably, the devices achieved a low energy loss of 0.49 eV (0.51 eV for Y5 system) accompanied by a small nonradiative energy loss. The results indicate that nonfullerene acceptors with extended terminal motifs and optimized branched chain lengths can effectively enhance the performance of OSCs and reduce energy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiu Pan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanan Shi
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jianwei Yu
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hao Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jianqi Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, SE-58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Xi Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Kun Lu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Zhixiang Wei
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nano System and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
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