1
|
Seid BA, Sarisozen S, Peña-Camargo F, Ozen S, Gutierrez-Partida E, Solano E, Steele JA, Stolterfoht M, Neher D, Lang F. Understanding and Mitigating Atomic Oxygen-Induced Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells for Near-Earth Space Applications. Small 2024:e2311097. [PMID: 38412429 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Combining high efficiency with good radiation tolerance, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates to upend expanding space photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Successful employment in a Near-Earth space environment, however, requires high resistance against atomic oxygen (AtOx). This work unravels AtOx-induced degradation mechanisms of PSCs with and without phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) based 2D-passivation and investigates the applicability of ultrathin silicon oxide (SiO) encapsulation as AtOx barrier. AtOx exposure for 2 h degraded the average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices without barrier encapsulation by 40% and 43% (w/o and with 2D-PEAI-passivation) of their initial PCE. In contrast, devices with a SiO-barrier retained over 97% of initial PCE. To understand why 2D-PEAI passivated devices degrade faster than less efficient non-passivated devices, various opto-electrical and structural characterications are conducted. Together, these allowed to decouple different damage mechanisms. Notably, pseudo-J-V curves reveal unchanged high implied fill factors (pFF) of 86.4% and 86.2% in non-passivated and passivated devices, suggesting that degradation of the perovskite absorber itself is not dominating. Instead, inefficient charge extraction and mobile ions, due to a swiftly degrading PEAI interlayer are the primary causes of AtOx-induced device performance degradation in passivated devices, whereas a large ionic FF loss limits non-passivated devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biruk Alebachew Seid
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sema Sarisozen
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Francisco Peña-Camargo
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sercan Ozen
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | - Eduardo Solano
- NCD-SWEET Beamline, ALBA Synchrotron Light Source, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08290, Spain
| | - Julian A Steele
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Felix Lang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Iqbal Z, Félix R, Musiienko A, Thiesbrummel J, Köbler H, Gutierrez-Partida E, Gries TW, Hüsam E, Saleh A, Wilks RG, Zhang J, Stolterfoht M, Neher D, Albrecht S, Bär M, Abate A, Wang Q. Unveiling the Potential of Ambient Air Annealing for Highly Efficient Inorganic CsPbI 3 Perovskite Solar Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4642-4651. [PMID: 38335142 PMCID: PMC10885157 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Here, we report a detailed surface analysis of dry- and ambient air-annealed CsPbI3 films and their subsequent modified interfaces in perovskite solar cells. We revealed that annealing in ambient air does not adversely affect the optoelectronic properties of the semiconducting film; instead, ambient air-annealed samples undergo a surface modification, causing an enhancement of band bending, as determined by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. We observe interface charge carrier dynamics changes, improving the charge carrier extraction in CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells. Optical spectroscopic measurements show that trap state density is decreased due to ambient air annealing. As a result, air-annealed CsPbI3-based n-i-p structure devices achieved a 19.8% power conversion efficiency with a 1.23 V open circuit voltage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zafar Iqbal
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roberto Félix
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Artem Musiienko
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jarla Thiesbrummel
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Hans Köbler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Thomas W Gries
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Elif Hüsam
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmed Saleh
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Regan G Wilks
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Energy Materials In-situ Laboratory Berlin (EMIL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiahuan Zhang
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Electronic Engineering Department, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR China
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Bär
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Egerland Street 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN), Albert-Einstein-Street 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Energy Materials In-situ Laboratory Berlin (EMIL), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonio Abate
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Qiong Wang
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang F, Tockhorn P, Musiienko A, Lang F, Menzel D, Macqueen R, Köhnen E, Xu K, Mariotti S, Mantione D, Merten L, Hinderhofer A, Li B, Wargulski DR, Harvey SP, Zhang J, Scheler F, Berwig S, Roß M, Thiesbrummel J, Al-Ashouri A, Brinkmann KO, Riedl T, Schreiber F, Abou-Ras D, Snaith H, Neher D, Korte L, Stolterfoht M, Albrecht S. Minimizing Interfacial Recombination in 1.8 eV Triple-Halide Perovskites for 27.5% Efficient All-Perovskite Tandems. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2307743. [PMID: 37988595 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
All-perovskite tandem solar cells show great potential to enable the highest performance at reasonable costs for a viable market entry in the near future. In particular, wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskites with higher open-circuit voltage (VOC ) are essential to further improve the tandem solar cells' performance. Here, a new 1.8 eV bandgap triple-halide perovskite composition in conjunction with a piperazinium iodide (PI) surface treatment is developed. With structural analysis, it is found that the PI modifies the surface through a reduction of excess lead iodide in the perovskite and additionally penetrates the bulk. Constant light-induced magneto-transport measurements are applied to separately resolve charge carrier properties of electrons and holes. These measurements reveal a reduced deep trap state density, and improved steady-state carrier lifetime (factor 2.6) and diffusion lengths (factor 1.6). As a result, WBG PSCs achieve 1.36 V VOC , reaching 90% of the radiative limit. Combined with a 1.26 eV narrow bandgap (NBG) perovskite with a rubidium iodide additive, this enables a tandem cell with a certified scan efficiency of 27.5%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengjiu Yang
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, 80401, USA
| | - Philipp Tockhorn
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Artem Musiienko
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Lang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dorothee Menzel
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rowan Macqueen
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eike Köhnen
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ke Xu
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Mariotti
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniele Mantione
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Av. Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
- POLYKEY s.l., Av. Tolosa 72, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Lena Merten
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Bor Li
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dan R Wargulski
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steven P Harvey
- Materials, Chemical and Computational Sciences (MCCS), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Jiahuan Zhang
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Scheler
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Berwig
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel Roß
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jarla Thiesbrummel
- Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Advanced Materials and Interfaces for Photovoltaic Solar Cells, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Amran Al-Ashouri
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai O Brinkmann
- Institute of Electronic Devices, University of Wuppertal, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
- Wuppertal Center for Smart Materials & Systems, University of Wuppertal, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Thomas Riedl
- Institute of Electronic Devices, University of Wuppertal, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
- Wuppertal Center for Smart Materials & Systems, University of Wuppertal, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Abou-Ras
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Snaith
- Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Advanced Materials and Interfaces for Photovoltaic Solar Cells, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Lars Korte
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Electronic Engineering Department, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jia X, Soprani L, Londi G, Hosseini SM, Talnack F, Mannsfeld S, Shoaee S, Neher D, Reineke S, Muccioli L, D'Avino G, Vandewal K, Beljonne D, Spoltore D. Molecularly induced order promotes charge separation through delocalized charge-transfer states at donor-acceptor heterojunctions. Mater Horiz 2024; 11:173-183. [PMID: 37915305 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00526g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The energetic landscape at the interface between electron donating and accepting molecular materials favors efficient conversion of intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) states into free charge carriers (FCC) in high-performance organic solar cells. Here, we elucidate how interfacial energetics, charge generation and radiative recombination are affected by molecular arrangement. We experimentally determine the CT dissociation properties of a series of model, small molecule donor-acceptor blends, where the used acceptors (B2PYMPM, B3PYMPM and B4PYMPM) differ only in the nitrogen position of their lateral pyridine rings. We find that the formation of an ordered, face-on molecular packing in B4PYMPM is beneficial to efficient, field-independent charge separation, leading to fill factors above 70% in photovoltaic devices. This is rationalized by a comprehensive computational protocol showing that, compared to the more amorphous and isotropically oriented B2PYMPM, the higher structural order of B4PYMPM molecules leads to more delocalized CT states. Furthermore, we find no correlation between the quantum efficiency of FCC radiative recombination and the bound or unbound nature of the CT states. This work highlights the importance of structural ordering at donor-acceptor interfaces for efficient FCC generation and shows that less bound CT states do not preclude efficient radiative recombination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangkun Jia
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Soprani
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giacomo Londi
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Seyed Mehrdad Hosseini
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Felix Talnack
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) and Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Mannsfeld
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) and Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sebastian Reineke
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Luca Muccioli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gabriele D'Avino
- Grenoble Alpes University, CNRS, Grenoble INP, Institut Néel, 25 rue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - David Beljonne
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, V.le delle Scienze 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iqbal Z, Zu F, Musiienko A, Gutierrez-Partida E, Köbler H, Gries TW, Sannino GV, Canil L, Koch N, Stolterfoht M, Neher D, Pavone M, Muñoz-García AB, Abate A, Wang Q. Interface Modification for Energy Level Alignment and Charge Extraction in CsPbI 3 Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Energy Lett 2023; 8:4304-4314. [PMID: 37854052 PMCID: PMC10580311 DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.3c01522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
In perovskite solar cells (PSCs) energy level alignment and charge extraction at the interfaces are the essential factors directly affecting the device performance. In this work, we present a modified interface between all-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite and its hole-selective contact (spiro-OMeTAD), realized by the dipole molecule trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), to align the energy levels. On a passivated perovskite film, with n-octylammonium iodide (OAI), we created an upward surface band-bending at the interface by TOPO treatment. This improved interface by the dipole molecule induces a better energy level alignment and enhances the charge extraction of holes from the perovskite layer to the hole transport material. Consequently, a Voc of 1.2 V and a high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 19% were achieved for inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite solar cells. Further, to demonstrate the effect of the TOPO dipole molecule, we present a layer-by-layer charge extraction study by a transient surface photovoltage (trSPV) technique accomplished by a charge transport simulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zafar Iqbal
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut
für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Artem Musiienko
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- Institute
for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Hans Köbler
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas W. Gries
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gennaro V. Sannino
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Department
of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Comp. Univ. Monte S. Angelo, via Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Canil
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Institut
für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute
for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Electronic
Engineering Department, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong 999077, People’s
Republic of China
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute
for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Michele Pavone
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Comp. Univ.
Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ana Belen Muñoz-García
- Department
of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Comp. Univ. Monte S. Angelo, via Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Abate
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
- Department
of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Department
of Chemical Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Vincenzo Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Qiong Wang
- Helmholtz-Zentrum
Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH. Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shoaee S, Luong HM, Song J, Zou Y, Nguyen TQ, Neher D. What We have Learnt from PM6:Y6. Adv Mater 2023:e2302005. [PMID: 37623325 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Over the past three years, remarkable advancements in organic solar cells (OSCs) have emerged, propelled by the introduction of Y6-an innovative A-DA'D-A type small molecule non-fullerene acceptor (NFA). This review provides a critical discussion of the current knowledge about the structural and physical properties of the PM6:Y6 material combination in relation to its photovoltaic performance. The design principles of PM6 and Y6 are discussed, covering charge transfer, transport, and recombination mechanisms. Then, the authors delve into blend morphology and degradation mechanisms before considering commercialization. The current state of the art is presented, while also discussing unresolved contentious issues, such as the blend energetics, the pathways of free charge generation, and the role of triplet states in recombination. As such, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the PM6:Y6 material combination and its potential for further development in the field of organic solar cells. By addressing both the successes and challenges associated with this system, this review contributes to the ongoing research efforts toward achieving more efficient and stable organic solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Safa Shoaee
- Optoelectronics of Disordered Semiconductors, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik, Leibniz-Institut im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hoang M Luong
- Centre for Polymers and Organic Solids, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Jiage Song
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Yingping Zou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Thuc-Quyen Nguyen
- Centre for Polymers and Organic Solids, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Diekmann J, Peña-Camargo F, Tokmoldin N, Thiesbrummel J, Warby J, Gutierrez-Partida E, Shah S, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. Determination of Mobile Ion Densities in Halide Perovskites via Low-Frequency Capacitance and Charge Extraction Techniques. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:4200-4210. [PMID: 37115820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Mobile ions in perovskite photovoltaic devices can hinder performance and cause degradation by impeding charge extraction and screening the internal field. Accurately quantifying mobile ion densities remains a challenge and is a highly debated topic. We assess the suitability of several experimental methodologies for determining mobile ion densities by using drift-diffusion simulations. We found that charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (CELIV) underestimates ion density, but bias-assisted charge extraction (BACE) can accurately reproduce ionic lower than the electrode charge. A modified Mott-Schottky (MS) analysis at low frequencies can provide ion density values for high excess ionic densities, typical for perovskites. The most significant contribution to capacitance originates from the ionic depletion layer rather than the accumulation layer. Using low-frequency MS analysis, we also demonstrate light-induced generation of mobile ions. These methods enable accurate tracking of ionic densities during device aging and a deeper understanding of ionic losses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Diekmann
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Francisco Peña-Camargo
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Nurlan Tokmoldin
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jarla Thiesbrummel
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jonathan Warby
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | | | - Sahil Shah
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang S, Ye F, Wang X, Chen R, Zhang H, Zhan L, Jiang X, Li Y, Ji X, Liu S, Yu M, Yu F, Zhang Y, Wu R, Liu Z, Ning Z, Neher D, Han L, Lin Y, Tian H, Chen W, Stolterfoht M, Zhang L, Zhu WH, Wu Y. Minimizing buried interfacial defects for efficient inverted perovskite solar cells. Science 2023; 380:404-409. [PMID: 37104579 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg3755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the perovskite morphology and defects at the buried perovskite-substrate interface is challenging for inverted perovskite solar cells. In this work, we report an amphiphilic molecular hole transporter, (2-(4-(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)-1-cyanovinyl)phosphonic acid, that features a multifunctional cyanovinyl phosphonic acid group and forms a superwetting underlayer for perovskite deposition, which enables high-quality perovskite films with minimized defects at the buried interface. The resulting perovskite film has a photoluminescence quantum yield of 17% and a Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime of nearly 7 microseconds and achieved a certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.4% with an open-circuit voltage of 1.21 volts and a fill factor of 84.7%. In addition, 1-square centimeter cells and 10-square centimeter minimodules show PCEs of 23.4 and 22.0%, respectively. Encapsulated modules exhibited high stability under both operational and damp heat test conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangyuan Ye
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials of MOE, Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Clean Energy Materials, School College of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huidong Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqing Zhan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianyuan Jiang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawen Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuaijun Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Miaojie Yu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Yu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials of MOE, Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Clean Energy Materials, School College of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruihan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zonghao Liu
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijun Ning
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Liyuan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuze Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - He Tian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Lijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, Key Laboratory of Automobile Materials of MOE, Jilin Provincial International Cooperation Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Clean Energy Materials, School College of Materials Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongzhen Wu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ye F, Zhang S, Warby J, Wu J, Gutierrez-Partida E, Lang F, Shah S, Saglamkaya E, Sun B, Zu F, Shoaee S, Wang H, Stiller B, Neher D, Zhu WH, Stolterfoht M, Wu Y. Overcoming C 60-induced interfacial recombination in inverted perovskite solar cells by electron-transporting carborane. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7454. [PMID: 36460635 PMCID: PMC9718752 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34203-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Inverted perovskite solar cells still suffer from significant non-radiative recombination losses at the perovskite surface and across the perovskite/C60 interface, limiting the future development of perovskite-based single- and multi-junction photovoltaics. Therefore, more effective inter- or transport layers are urgently required. To tackle these recombination losses, we introduce ortho-carborane as an interlayer material that has a spherical molecular structure and a three-dimensional aromaticity. Based on a variety of experimental techniques, we show that ortho-carborane decorated with phenylamino groups effectively passivates the perovskite surface and essentially eliminates the non-radiative recombination loss across the perovskite/C60 interface with high thermal stability. We further demonstrate the potential of carborane as an electron transport material, facilitating electron extraction while blocking holes from the interface. The resulting inverted perovskite solar cells deliver a power conversion efficiency of over 23% with a low non-radiative voltage loss of 110 mV, and retain >97% of the initial efficiency after 400 h of maximum power point tracking. Overall, the designed carborane based interlayer simultaneously enables passivation, electron-transport and hole-blocking and paves the way toward more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Ye
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China ,grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Shuo Zhang
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| | - Jonathan Warby
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Jiawei Wu
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Felix Lang
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Sahil Shah
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Elifnaz Saglamkaya
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Bowen Sun
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- grid.7468.d0000 0001 2248 7639Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Institut fur Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Brook-Taylor Straße 6, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Haifeng Wang
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Centre for Computational Chemistry and Research Institute of Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| | - Burkhard Stiller
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Wei-Hong Zhu
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Yongzhen Wu
- grid.28056.390000 0001 2163 4895Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tockhorn P, Sutter J, Cruz A, Wagner P, Jäger K, Yoo D, Lang F, Grischek M, Li B, Li J, Shargaieva O, Unger E, Al-Ashouri A, Köhnen E, Stolterfoht M, Neher D, Schlatmann R, Rech B, Stannowski B, Albrecht S, Becker C. Nano-optical designs for high-efficiency monolithic perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. Nat Nanotechnol 2022; 17:1214-1221. [PMID: 36280763 PMCID: PMC9646483 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01228-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells offer the possibility of overcoming the power conversion efficiency limit of conventional silicon solar cells. Various textured tandem devices have been presented aiming at improved optical performance, but optimizing film growth on surface-textured wafers remains challenging. Here we present perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with periodic nanotextures that offer various advantages without compromising the material quality of solution-processed perovskite layers. We show a reduction in reflection losses in comparison to planar tandems, with the new devices being less sensitive to deviations from optimum layer thicknesses. The nanotextures also enable a greatly increased fabrication yield from 50% to 95%. Moreover, the open-circuit voltage is improved by 15 mV due to the enhanced optoelectronic properties of the perovskite top cell. Our optically advanced rear reflector with a dielectric buffer layer results in reduced parasitic absorption at near-infrared wavelengths. As a result, we demonstrate a certified power conversion efficiency of 29.80%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Tockhorn
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Sutter
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandros Cruz
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Wagner
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Jäger
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Computational Nanooptics Group, Zuse Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Danbi Yoo
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Lang
- Soft Matter Physics, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Max Grischek
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Soft Matter Physics, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Bor Li
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jinzhao Li
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oleksandra Shargaieva
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Unger
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Amran Al-Ashouri
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eike Köhnen
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rutger Schlatmann
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty 1: School of Engineering - Energy and Information, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Rech
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Stannowski
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Berliner Hochschule für Technik, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christiane Becker
- Division Solar Energy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
- Faculty 1: School of Engineering - Energy and Information, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Odziomek M, Giusto P, Kossmann J, Tarakina NV, Heske J, Rivadeneira SM, Keil W, Schmidt C, Mazzanti S, Savateev O, Perdigón-Toro L, Neher D, Kühne TD, Antonietti M, López-Salas N. "Red Carbon": A Rediscovered Covalent Crystalline Semiconductor. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2206405. [PMID: 35977414 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202206405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Carbon suboxide (C3 O2 ) is a unique molecule able to polymerize spontaneously into highly conjugated light-absorbing structures at temperatures as low as 0 °C. Despite obvious advantages, little is known about the nature and the functional properties of this carbonaceous material. In this work, the aim is to bring "red carbon," a forgotten polymeric semiconductor, back to the community's attention. A solution polymerization process is adapted to simplify the synthesis and control the structure. This allows one to obtain this crystalline covalent material at low temperatures. Both spectroscopic and elemental analyses support the chemical structure represented as conjugated ladder polypyrone ribbons. Density functional theory calculations suggest a crystalline structure of AB stacks of polypyrone ribbons and identify the material as a direct bandgap semiconductor with a medium bandgap that is further confirmed by optical analysis. The material shows promising photocatalytic performance using blue light. Moreover, the simple condensation-aromatization route described here allows the straightforward fabrication of conjugated ladder polymers and can be inspiring for the synthesis of carbonaceous materials at low temperatures in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Odziomek
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Paolo Giusto
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Janina Kossmann
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nadezda V Tarakina
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julian Heske
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, D-33098, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Salvador M Rivadeneira
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, D-33098, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Waldemar Keil
- Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Claudia Schmidt
- Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, 33098, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Stefano Mazzanti
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Oleksandr Savateev
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón-Toro
- Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics and Optoelectronics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas D Kühne
- Dynamics of Condensed Matter and Center for Sustainable Systems Design, Chair of Theoretical Chemistry, Paderborn University, Warburger Str. 100, D-33098, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nieves López-Salas
- Colloids Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pranav M, Benduhn J, Nyman M, Hosseini SM, Kublitski J, Shoaee S, Neher D, Leo K, Spoltore D. Reply to Comment on "Enhanced Charge Selectivity via Anodic-C 60 Layer Reduces Nonradiative Losses in Organic Solar Cells". ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:7527-7530. [PMID: 35112569 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c15450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Pranav
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, Dresden 01187, Germany
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, Dresden 01187, Germany
| | - Mathias Nyman
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University Porthansgatan 3, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Seyed Mehrdad Hosseini
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy University of Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Jonas Kublitski
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, Dresden 01187, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy University of Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy University of Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Karl Leo
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, Dresden 01187, Germany
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, Dresden 01187, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yu J, Xing Y, Shen Z, Zhu Y, Neher D, Koch N, Lu G. Infrared spectroscopy depth profiling of organic thin films. Mater Horiz 2021; 8:1461-1471. [PMID: 34846454 DOI: 10.1039/d0mh02047h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Organic thin films are widely used in organic electronics and coatings. Such films often feature film-depth dependent variations of composition and optoelectronic properties. State-of-the-art depth profiling methods such as mass spectroscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy rely on non-intrinsic species (vaporized ions, etching-induced surface defects), which are chemically and functionally different from the original materials. Here we introduce an easily-accessible and generally applicable depth profiling method: film-depth-dependent infrared (FDD-IR) spectroscopy profilometry based on directly measuring the intrinsic material after incremental surface-selective etching by a soft plasma, to study the material variations along the surface-normal direction. This depth profiling uses characteristic vibrational signatures of the involved compounds, and can be used for both conjugated and non-conjugated, neutral and ionic materials. A film-depth resolution of one nanometer is achieved. We demonstrate the application of this method for investigation of device-relevant thin films, including organic field-effect transistors and organic photovoltaic cells, as well as ionized dopant distributions in doped semiconductors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinde Yu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology and State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pranav M, Benduhn J, Nyman M, Hosseini SM, Kublitski J, Shoaee S, Neher D, Leo K, Spoltore D. Enhanced Charge Selectivity via Anodic-C 60 Layer Reduces Nonradiative Losses in Organic Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:12603-12609. [PMID: 33660501 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Interfacial layers in conjunction with suitable charge-transport layers can significantly improve the performance of optoelectronic devices by facilitating efficient charge carrier injection and extraction. This work uses a neat C60 interlayer on the anode to experimentally reveal that surface recombination is a significant contributor to nonradiative recombination losses in organic solar cells. These losses are shown to proportionally increase with the extent of contact between donor molecules in the photoactive layer and a molybdenum oxide (MoO3) hole extraction layer, proven by calculating voltage losses in low- and high-donor-content bulk heterojunction device architectures. Using a novel in-device determination of the built-in voltage, the suppression of surface recombination, due to the insertion of a thin anodic-C60 interlayer on MoO3, is attributed to an enhanced built-in potential. The increased built-in voltage reduces the presence of minority charge carriers at the electrodes-a new perspective on the principle of selective charge extraction layers. The benefit to device efficiency is limited by a critical interlayer thickness, which depends on the donor material in bilayer devices. Given the high popularity of MoO3 as an efficient hole extraction and injection layer and the increasingly popular discussion on interfacial phenomena in organic optoelectronic devices, these findings are relevant to and address different branches of organic electronics, providing insights for future device design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Pranav
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Nyman
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Porthansgatan 3, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Seyed Mehrdad Hosseini
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jonas Kublitski
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Karl Leo
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Straße 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tait CE, Reckwitz A, Arvind M, Neher D, Bittl R, Behrends J. Spin-spin interactions and spin delocalisation in a doped organic semiconductor probed by EPR spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:13827-13841. [PMID: 34151324 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02133h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The enhancement and control of the electrical conductivity of organic semiconductors is fundamental for their use in optoelectronic applications and can be achieved by molecular doping, which introduces additional charge carriers through electron transfer between a dopant molecule and the organic semiconductor. Here, we use Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to characterise the unpaired spins associated with the charges generated by molecular doping of the prototypical organic semiconductor poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) and tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF). The EPR results reveal the P3HT radical cation as the only paramagnetic species in BCF-doped P3HT films and show evidence for increased mobility of the detected spins at high doping concentrations as well as formation of antiferromagnetically coupled spin pairs leading to decreased spin concentrations at low temperatures. The EPR signature for F4TCNQ-doped P3HT is found to be determined by spin exchange between P3HT radical cations and F4TCNQ radical anions. Results from continuous-wave and pulse EPR measurements suggest the presence of the unpaired spin on P3HT in a multitude of environments, ranging from free P3HT radical cations with similar properties to those observed in BCF-doped P3HT, to pairs of dipolar and exchange-coupled spins on P3HT and the dopant anion. Characterisation of the proton hyperfine interactions by ENDOR allowed quantification of the extent of spin delocalisation and revealed reduced delocalisation in the F4TCNQ-doped P3HT films.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia E Tait
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany. and Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3QZ Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Reckwitz
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Malavika Arvind
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert Bittl
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Jan Behrends
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Al-Ashouri A, Köhnen E, Li B, Magomedov A, Hempel H, Caprioglio P, Márquez JA, Morales Vilches AB, Kasparavicius E, Smith JA, Phung N, Menzel D, Grischek M, Kegelmann L, Skroblin D, Gollwitzer C, Malinauskas T, Jošt M, Matič G, Rech B, Schlatmann R, Topič M, Korte L, Abate A, Stannowski B, Neher D, Stolterfoht M, Unold T, Getautis V, Albrecht S. Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with >29% efficiency by enhanced hole extraction. Science 2020; 370:1300-1309. [DOI: 10.1126/science.abd4016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 538] [Impact Index Per Article: 134.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amran Al-Ashouri
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eike Köhnen
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bor Li
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Artiom Magomedov
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas LT-50254, Lithuania
| | - Hannes Hempel
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - José A. Márquez
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ernestas Kasparavicius
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas LT-50254, Lithuania
| | - Joel A. Smith
- Young Investigator Group Active Materials and Interfaces for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | - Nga Phung
- Young Investigator Group Active Materials and Interfaces for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dorothee Menzel
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Grischek
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lukas Kegelmann
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Skroblin
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Tadas Malinauskas
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas LT-50254, Lithuania
| | - Marko Jošt
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gašper Matič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bernd Rech
- Scientific Management, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technical University Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rutger Schlatmann
- PVcomB, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- HTW Berlin–University of Applied Sciences, 12459 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marko Topič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lars Korte
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonio Abate
- Young Investigator Group Active Materials and Interfaces for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Stannowski
- PVcomB, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Unold
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 14109 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vytautas Getautis
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas LT-50254, Lithuania
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technical University Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wolff CM, Canil L, Rehermann C, Linh NN, Zu F, Ralaiarisoa M, Caprioglio P, Fiedler L, Stolterfoht M, Kogikoski S, Bald I, Koch N, Unger EL, Dittrich T, Abate A, Neher D. Correction to Perfluorinated Self-Assembled Monolayers Enhance the Stability and Efficiency of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Nano 2020; 14:16156. [PMID: 33166445 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
|
18
|
Zhang S, Shaw PE, Zhang G, Jin H, Tai M, Lin H, Meredith P, Burn PL, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. Defect/Interface Recombination Limited Quasi-Fermi Level Splitting and Open-Circuit Voltage in Mono- and Triple-Cation Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:37647-37656. [PMID: 32678571 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multication metal-halide perovskites exhibit desirable performance and stability, compared to their monocation counterparts. However, the study of the photophysical properties and the nature of defect states in these materials is still a challenging and ongoing task. Here, we study bulk and interfacial energy loss mechanisms in solution-processed MAPbI3 (MAPI) and (CsPbI3)0.05[(FAPbI3)0.83(MAPbBr3)0.17]0.95 (triple cation) perovskite solar cells using absolute photoluminescence (PL) measurements. In neat MAPI films, we find a significantly smaller quasi-Fermi level splitting than for the triple cation perovskite absorbers, which defines the open-circuit voltage of the MAPI cells. PL measurements at low temperatures (∼20 K) on MAPI films demonstrate that emissive subgap states can be effectively reduced using different passivating agents, which lowers the nonradiative recombination loss at room temperature. We conclude that while triple cation perovskite cells are limited by interfacial recombination, the passivation of surface trap states within the MAPI films is the primary consideration for device optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Paul E Shaw
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Guanran Zhang
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Hui Jin
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Meiqian Tai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R.China
| | - Hong Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R.China
| | - Paul Meredith
- Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Paul L Burn
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Arvind M, Tait CE, Guerrini M, Krumland J, Valencia AM, Cocchi C, Mansour AE, Koch N, Barlow S, Marder SR, Behrends J, Neher D. Quantitative Analysis of Doping-Induced Polarons and Charge-Transfer Complexes of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) in Solution. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:7694-7708. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Arvind
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Claudia E. Tait
- Institut für Experimentalphysik, Berlin Joint EPR Lab, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michele Guerrini
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jannis Krumland
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ana M. Valencia
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Caterina Cocchi
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Physik, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ahmed E. Mansour
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen Barlow
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States
| | - Seth R. Marder
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States
| | - Jan Behrends
- Institut für Experimentalphysik, Berlin Joint EPR Lab, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Stolterfoht M, Grischek M, Caprioglio P, Wolff CM, Gutierrez-Partida E, Peña-Camargo F, Rothhardt D, Zhang S, Raoufi M, Wolansky J, Abdi-Jalebi M, Stranks SD, Albrecht S, Kirchartz T, Neher D. How To Quantify the Efficiency Potential of Neat Perovskite Films: Perovskite Semiconductors with an Implied Efficiency Exceeding 28. Adv Mater 2020; 32:e2000080. [PMID: 32163652 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202000080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite photovoltaic (PV) cells have demonstrated power conversion efficiencies (PCE) that are close to those of monocrystalline silicon cells; however, in contrast to silicon PV, perovskites are not limited by Auger recombination under 1-sun illumination. Nevertheless, compared to GaAs and monocrystalline silicon PV, perovskite cells have significantly lower fill factors due to a combination of resistive and non-radiative recombination losses. This necessitates a deeper understanding of the underlying loss mechanisms and in particular the ideality factor of the cell. By measuring the intensity dependence of the external open-circuit voltage and the internal quasi-Fermi level splitting (QFLS), the transport resistance-free efficiency of the complete cell as well as the efficiency potential of any neat perovskite film with or without attached transport layers are quantified. Moreover, intensity-dependent QFLS measurements on different perovskite compositions allows for disentangling of the impact of the interfaces and the perovskite surface on the non-radiative fill factor and open-circuit voltage loss. It is found that potassium-passivated triple cation perovskite films stand out by their exceptionally high implied PCEs > 28%, which could be achieved with ideal transport layers. Finally, strategies are presented to reduce both the ideality factor and transport losses to push the efficiency to the thermodynamic limit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Max Grischek
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Emilio Gutierrez-Partida
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Francisco Peña-Camargo
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Daniel Rothhardt
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Meysam Raoufi
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Jakob Wolansky
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| | - Mojtaba Abdi-Jalebi
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Samuel D Stranks
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Kekuléstraße 5, Berlin, 12489, Germany
- Faculty IV - Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, 10587, Germany
| | - Thomas Kirchartz
- Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, 52425, Germany
- Faculty of Engineering and CENIDE, University of Duisburg-Essen, Carl-Benz-Str. 199, Duisburg, 47057, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam-Golm, D-14476, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Brauer JC, Tsokkou D, Sanchez S, Droseros N, Roose B, Mosconi E, Hua X, Stolterfoht M, Neher D, Steiner U, De Angelis F, Abate A, Banerji N. Comparing the excited-state properties of a mixed-cation–mixed-halide perovskite to methylammonium lead iodide. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:104703. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5133021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan C. Brauer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Demetra Tsokkou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandy Sanchez
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Droseros
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bart Roose
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mosconi
- Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Xiao Hua
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-St. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-St. 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Ullrich Steiner
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Filippo De Angelis
- Computational Laboratory for Hybrid/Organic Photovoltaics (CLHYO), Istituto CNR di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta” (CNR-SCITEC), Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Abate
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Banerji
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Perdigón-Toro L, Zhang H, Markina A, Yuan J, Hosseini SM, Wolff CM, Zuo G, Stolterfoht M, Zou Y, Gao F, Andrienko D, Shoaee S, Neher D. Barrierless Free Charge Generation in the High-Performance PM6:Y6 Bulk Heterojunction Non-Fullerene Solar Cell. Adv Mater 2020; 32:e1906763. [PMID: 31975446 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201906763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells are currently experiencing a second golden age thanks to the development of novel non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Surprisingly, some of these blends exhibit high efficiencies despite a low energy offset at the heterojunction. Herein, free charge generation in the high-performance blend of the donor polymer PM6 with the NFA Y6 is thoroughly investigated as a function of internal field, temperature and excitation energy. Results show that photocurrent generation is essentially barrierless with near-unity efficiency, regardless of excitation energy. Efficient charge separation is maintained over a wide temperature range, down to 100 K, despite the small driving force for charge generation. Studies on a blend with a low concentration of the NFA, measurements of the energetic disorder, and theoretical modeling suggest that CT state dissociation is assisted by the electrostatic interfacial field which for Y6 is large enough to compensate the Coulomb dissociation barrier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Perdigón-Toro
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Huotian Zhang
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Markina
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jun Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Seyed Mehrdad Hosseini
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Guangzheng Zuo
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Yingping Zou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Denis Andrienko
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Disordered Semiconductor Optoelectronics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Wolff CM, Canil L, Rehermann C, Ngoc Linh N, Zu F, Ralaiarisoa M, Caprioglio P, Fiedler L, Stolterfoht M, Kogikoski S, Bald I, Koch N, Unger EL, Dittrich T, Abate A, Neher D. Perfluorinated Self-Assembled Monolayers Enhance the Stability and Efficiency of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Nano 2020; 14:1445-1456. [PMID: 31909973 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b03268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells are among the most exciting photovoltaic systems as they combine low recombination losses, ease of fabrication, and high spectral tunability. The Achilles heel of this technology is the device stability due to the ionic nature of the perovskite crystal, rendering it highly hygroscopic, and the extensive diffusion of ions especially at increased temperatures. Herein, we demonstrate the application of a simple solution-processed perfluorinated self-assembled monolayer (p-SAM) that not only enhances the solar cell efficiency, but also improves the stability of the perovskite absorber and, in turn, the solar cell under increased temperature or humid conditions. The p-i-n-type perovskite devices employing these SAMs exhibited power conversion efficiencies surpassing 21%. Notably, the best performing devices are stable under standardized maximum power point operation at 85 °C in inert atmosphere (ISOS-L-2) for more than 250 h and exhibit superior humidity resilience, maintaining ∼95% device performance even if stored in humid air in ambient conditions over months (∼3000 h, ISOS-D-1). Our work, therefore, demonstrates a strategy towards efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with easily deposited functional interlayers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | | | - Nguyen Ngoc Linh
- Institute for Molecular Engineering , The University of Chicago , Chicago , Illinois 60637 , United States
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Maryline Ralaiarisoa
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Lukas Fiedler
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Sergio Kogikoski
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Ilko Bald
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Eva L Unger
- Department of Chemistry and NanoLund , Lund University , 221 00 Lund , Sweden
| | - Thomas Dittrich
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , Kekuléstraße 5 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Antonio Abate
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples Federico II , Piazzale Tecchio 80 , 80125 Fuorigrotta, Naples , Italy
| | - Dieter Neher
- Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhong Y, Causa' M, Moore GJ, Krauspe P, Xiao B, Günther F, Kublitski J, Shivhare R, Benduhn J, BarOr E, Mukherjee S, Yallum KM, Réhault J, Mannsfeld SCB, Neher D, Richter LJ, DeLongchamp DM, Ortmann F, Vandewal K, Zhou E, Banerji N. Sub-picosecond charge-transfer at near-zero driving force in polymer:non-fullerene acceptor blends and bilayers. Nat Commun 2020; 11:833. [PMID: 32047157 PMCID: PMC7012859 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14549-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics based on non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) show record efficiency of 16 to 17% and increased photovoltage owing to the low driving force for interfacial charge-transfer. However, the low driving force potentially slows down charge generation, leading to a tradeoff between voltage and current. Here, we disentangle the intrinsic charge-transfer rates from morphology-dependent exciton diffusion for a series of polymer:NFA systems. Moreover, we establish the influence of the interfacial energetics on the electron and hole transfer rates separately. We demonstrate that charge-transfer timescales remain at a few hundred femtoseconds even at near-zero driving force, which is consistent with the rates predicted by Marcus theory in the normal region, at moderate electronic coupling and at low re-organization energy. Thus, in the design of highly efficient devices, the energy offset at the donor:acceptor interface can be minimized without jeopardizing the charge-transfer rate and without concerns about a current-voltage tradeoff. It has been commonly believed that the driving force at the donor-acceptor heterojunction is vital to efficient charge separation in organic solar cells. Here Zhong et al. show that the driving force can be as small as 0.05 eV without compromising the charge transfer rate and efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Zhong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martina Causa'
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gareth John Moore
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Krauspe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bo Xiao
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Florian Günther
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador saocarlense, 400, CEP, 13560-970, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jonas Kublitski
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rishi Shivhare
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eyal BarOr
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Subhrangsu Mukherjee
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Kaila M Yallum
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julien Réhault
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan C B Mannsfeld
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Lee J Richter
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Dean M DeLongchamp
- Material Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA
| | - Frank Ortmann
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtzstr. 18, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Erjun Zhou
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Natalie Banerji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
García-Benito I, Quarti C, Queloz VIE, Hofstetter YJ, Becker-Koch D, Caprioglio P, Neher D, Orlandi S, Cavazzini M, Pozzi G, Even J, Nazeeruddin MK, Vaynzof Y, Grancini G. Fluorination of Organic Spacer Impacts on the Structural and Optical Response of 2D Perovskites. Front Chem 2020; 7:946. [PMID: 32064245 PMCID: PMC6999157 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-dimensional hybrid perovskites have triggered significant research interest due to their intrinsically tunable optoelectronic properties and technologically relevant material stability. In particular, the role of the organic spacer on the inherent structural and optical features in two-dimensional (2D) perovskites is paramount for material optimization. To obtain a deeper understanding of the relationship between spacers and the corresponding 2D perovskite film properties, we explore the influence of the partial substitution of hydrogen atoms by fluorine in an alkylammonium organic cation, resulting in (Lc)2PbI4 and (Lf)2PbI4 2D perovskites, respectively. Consequently, optical analysis reveals a clear 0.2 eV blue-shift in the excitonic position at room temperature. This result can be mainly attributed to a band gap opening, with negligible effects on the exciton binding energy. According to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, the band gap increases due to a larger distortion of the structure that decreases the atomic overlap of the wavefunctions and correspondingly bandwidth of the valence and conduction bands. In addition, fluorination impacts the structural rigidity of the 2D perovskite, resulting in a stable structure at room temperature and the absence of phase transitions at a low temperature, in contrast to the widely reported polymorphism in some non-fluorinated materials that exhibit such a phase transition. This indicates that a small perturbation in the material structure can strongly influence the overall structural stability and related phase transition of 2D perovskites, making them more robust to any phase change. This work provides key information on how the fluorine content in organic spacer influence the structural distortion of 2D perovskites and their optical properties which possess remarkable importance for future optoelectronic applications, for instance in the field of light-emitting devices or sensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inés García-Benito
- Group for Molecular Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, EPFL Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Quarti
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Department of Chemistry, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium.,Univ Rennes, ENSCR, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, Rennes, France
| | - Valentin I E Queloz
- Group for Molecular Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, EPFL Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Yvonne J Hofstetter
- Integrated Centre for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials and Centre for Advancing Electronics Dresden (CFAED), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David Becker-Koch
- Integrated Centre for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials and Centre for Advancing Electronics Dresden (CFAED), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Simonetta Orlandi
- CNR - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Cavazzini
- CNR - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Pozzi
- CNR - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (CNR-SCITEC), Milan, Italy
| | - Jacky Even
- Univ Rennes, INSA Rennes, CNRS, Institut FOTON - UMR 6082, Rennes, France
| | - Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin
- Group for Molecular Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, EPFL Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Yana Vaynzof
- Integrated Centre for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials and Centre for Advancing Electronics Dresden (CFAED), Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giulia Grancini
- Group for Molecular Engineering of Functional Materials, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, EPFL Valais Wallis, Sion, Switzerland.,Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zu F, Schultz T, Wolff CM, Shin D, Frohloff L, Neher D, Amsalem P, Koch N. Position-locking of volatile reaction products by atmosphere and capping layers slows down photodecomposition of methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite. RSC Adv 2020; 10:17534-17542. [PMID: 35515637 PMCID: PMC9053590 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra03572f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable progress of metal halide perovskites in photovoltaics has led to the power conversion efficiency approaching 26%. However, practical applications of perovskite-based solar cells are challenged by the stability issues, of which the most critical one is photo-induced degradation. Bare CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films are known to decompose rapidly, with methylammonium and iodine as volatile species and residual solid PbI2 and metallic Pb, under vacuum under white light illumination, on the timescale of minutes. We find, in agreement with previous work, that the degradation is non-uniform and proceeds predominantly from the surface, and that illumination under N2 and ambient air (relative humidity 20%) does not induce substantial degradation even after several hours. Yet, in all cases the release of iodine from the perovskite surface is directly identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This goes in hand with a loss of organic cations and the formation of metallic Pb. When CH3NH3PbI3 films are covered with a few nm thick organic capping layer, either charge selective or non-selective, the rapid photodecomposition process under ultrahigh vacuum is reduced by more than one order of magnitude, and becomes similar in timescale to that under N2 or air. We conclude that the light-induced decomposition reaction of CH3NH3PbI3, leading to volatile methylammonium and iodine, is largely reversible as long as these products are restrained from leaving the surface. This is readily achieved by ambient atmospheric pressure, as well as a thin organic capping layer even under ultrahigh vacuum. In addition to explaining the impact of gas pressure on the stability of this perovskite, our results indicate that covalently “locking” the position of perovskite components at the surface or an interface should enhance the overall photostability. Gas pressure and capping layers under ultrahigh vacuum prevent methylammonium lead triiodide photo-degradation due to efficient back-reaction of volatile compounds.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Thorsten Schultz
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
| | - Christian M. Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie
- Universität Potsdam
- 14776 Potsdam
- Germany
| | - Dongguen Shin
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Lennart Frohloff
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie
- Universität Potsdam
- 14776 Potsdam
- Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- 12489 Berlin
- Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wolff CM, Caprioglio P, Stolterfoht M, Neher D. Nonradiative Recombination in Perovskite Solar Cells: The Role of Interfaces. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1902762. [PMID: 31631441 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201902762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells combine high carrier mobilities with long carrier lifetimes and high radiative efficiencies. Despite this, full devices suffer from significant nonradiative recombination losses, limiting their VOC to values well below the Shockley-Queisser limit. Here, recent advances in understanding nonradiative recombination in perovskite solar cells from picoseconds to steady state are presented, with an emphasis on the interfaces between the perovskite absorber and the charge transport layers. Quantification of the quasi-Fermi level splitting in perovskite films with and without attached transport layers allows to identify the origin of nonradiative recombination, and to explain the VOC of operational devices. These measurements prove that in state-of-the-art solar cells, nonradiative recombination at the interfaces between the perovskite and the transport layers is more important than processes in the bulk or at grain boundaries. Optical pump-probe techniques give complementary access to the interfacial recombination pathways and provide quantitative information on transfer rates and recombination velocities. Promising optimization strategies are also highlighted, in particular in view of the role of energy level alignment and the importance of surface passivation. Recent record perovskite solar cells with low nonradiative losses are presented where interfacial recombination is effectively overcome-paving the way to the thermodynamic efficiency limit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Kekuléstraße 5, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Nikolis VC, Mischok A, Siegmund B, Kublitski J, Jia X, Benduhn J, Hörmann U, Neher D, Gather MC, Spoltore D, Vandewal K. Strong light-matter coupling for reduced photon energy losses in organic photovoltaics. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3706. [PMID: 31420555 PMCID: PMC6697723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11717-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Strong light-matter coupling can re-arrange the exciton energies in organic semiconductors. Here, we exploit strong coupling by embedding a fullerene-free organic solar cell (OSC) photo-active layer into an optical microcavity, leading to the formation of polariton peaks and a red-shift of the optical gap. At the same time, the open-circuit voltage of the device remains unaffected. This leads to reduced photon energy losses for the low-energy polaritons and a steepening of the absorption edge. While strong coupling reduces the optical gap, the energy of the charge-transfer state is not affected for large driving force donor-acceptor systems. Interestingly, this implies that strong coupling can be exploited in OSCs to reduce the driving force for electron transfer, without chemical or microstructural modifications of the photo-active layer. Our work demonstrates that the processes determining voltage losses in OSCs can now be tuned, and reduced to unprecedented values, simply by manipulating the device architecture. Strong light-matter coupling can tune exciton properties but its effect in photovoltaics remains unexplored. Here Nikolis et al. show that the photon energy loss from optical gap to open-circuit voltage can be reduced to unprecedented values by embedding organic solar cells in optical microcavities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios C Nikolis
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany. .,Heliatek GmbH, Treidlerstraße 3, 01139, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Andreas Mischok
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St, Andrews, KY16 9SS, UK.
| | - Bernhard Siegmund
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany.,Heliatek GmbH, Treidlerstraße 3, 01139, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Kublitski
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Xiangkun Jia
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hörmann
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Malte C Gather
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, St, Andrews, KY16 9SS, UK
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187, Dresden, Germany. .,Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhang S, Hosseini SM, Gunder R, Petsiuk A, Caprioglio P, Wolff CM, Shoaee S, Meredith P, Schorr S, Unold T, Burn PL, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. The Role of Bulk and Interface Recombination in High-Efficiency Low-Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2019; 31:e1901090. [PMID: 31166640 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite (RPP) solar cells have excellent environmental stability. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of RPP cells remains inferior to 3D perovskite-based cells. Herein, 2D (CH3 (CH2 )3 NH3 )2 (CH3 NH3 )n -1 Pbn I3 n +1 perovskite cells with different numbers of [PbI6 ]4- sheets (n = 2-4) are analyzed. Photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements show that nonradiative open-circuit voltage (VOC ) losses outweigh radiative losses in materials with n > 2. The n = 3 and n = 4 films exhibit a higher PLQY than the standard 3D methylammonium lead iodide perovskite although this is accompanied by increased interfacial recombination at the top perovskite/C60 interface. This tradeoff results in a similar PLQY in all devices, including the n = 2 system where the perovskite bulk dominates the recombination properties of the cell. In most cases the quasi-Fermi level splitting matches the device VOC within 20 meV, which indicates minimal recombination losses at the metal contacts. The results show that poor charge transport rather than exciton dissociation is the primary reason for the reduction in fill factor of the RPP devices. Optimized n = 4 RPP solar cells had PCEs of 13% with significant potential for further improvements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Seyed M Hosseini
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - René Gunder
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrei Petsiuk
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Kekuléstr. 5, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Paul Meredith
- Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - Susan Schorr
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Unold
- Department of Structure and Dynamics of Energy Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul L Burn
- Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, D-14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Pisoni S, Stolterfoht M, Löckinger J, Moser T, Jiang Y, Caprioglio P, Neher D, Buecheler S, Tiwari AN. On the origin of open-circuit voltage losses in flexible n-i-p perovskite solar cells. Sci Technol Adv Mater 2019; 20:786-795. [PMID: 31447957 PMCID: PMC6691881 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2019.1633952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The possibility to manufacture perovskite solar cells (PSCs) at low temperatures paves the way to flexible and lightweight photovoltaic (PV) devices manufactured via high-throughput roll-to-roll processes. In order to achieve higher power conversion efficiencies, it is necessary to approach the radiative limit via suppression of non-radiative recombination losses. Herein, we performed a systematic voltage loss analysis for a typical low-temperature processed, flexible PSC in n-i-p configuration using vacuum deposited C60 as electron transport layer (ETL) and two-step hybrid vacuum-solution deposition for CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite absorber. We identified the ETL/absorber interface as a bottleneck in relation to non-radiative recombination losses, the quasi-Fermi level splitting (QFLS) decreases from ~1.23 eV for the bare absorber, just ~90 meV below the radiative limit, to ~1.10 eV when C60 is used as ETL. To effectively mitigate these voltage losses, we investigated different interfacial modifications via vacuum deposited interlayers (BCP, B4PyMPM, 3TPYMB, and LiF). An improvement in QFLS of ~30-40 meV is observed after interlayer deposition and confirmed by comparable improvements in the open-circuit voltage after implementation of these interfacial modifications in flexible PSCs. Further investigations on absorber/hole transport layer (HTL) interface point out the detrimental role of dopants in Spiro-OMeTAD film (widely employed HTL in the community) as recombination centers upon oxidation and light exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pisoni
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Johannes Löckinger
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Moser
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Yan Jiang
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Stephan Buecheler
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ayodhya N. Tiwari
- Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics, Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Würfel U, Perdigón-Toro L, Kurpiers J, Wolff CM, Caprioglio P, Rech JJ, Zhu J, Zhan X, You W, Shoaee S, Neher D, Stolterfoht M. Recombination between Photogenerated and Electrode-Induced Charges Dominates the Fill Factor Losses in Optimized Organic Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:3473-3480. [PMID: 31146523 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b01175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Charge extraction in organic solar cells (OSCs) is commonly believed to be limited by bimolecular recombination of photogenerated charges. However, the fill factor of OSCs is usually almost entirely governed by recombination processes that scale with the first order of the light intensity. This linear loss was often interpreted to be a consequence of geminate or trap-assisted recombination. Numerical simulations show that this linear dependence is a direct consequence of the large amount of excess dark charge near the contact. The first-order losses increase with decreasing mobility of minority carriers, and we discuss the impact of several material and device parameters on this loss mechanism. This work highlights that OSCs are especially vulnerable to injected charges as a result of their poor charge transport properties. This implies that dark charges need to be better accounted for when interpreting electro-optical measurements and charge collection based on simple figures of merit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uli Würfel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE , Heidenhofstr. 2 , 79110 Freiburg , Germany
- Freiburg Materials Research Center FMF , Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg , Stefan-Meier-Str. 21 , 79104 Freiburg , Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón-Toro
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Jona Kurpiers
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Pietro Caprioglio
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
- Young Investigator Group Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells , Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin , Kekuléstr. 5 , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Jeromy James Rech
- Department of Chemistry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599-3290 , United States
| | - Jingshuai Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education , Peking University , Beijing 100871 , China
| | - Wei You
- Department of Chemistry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599-3290 , United States
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Zu F, Wolff CM, Ralaiarisoa M, Amsalem P, Neher D, Koch N. Unraveling the Electronic Properties of Lead Halide Perovskites with Surface Photovoltage in Photoemission Studies. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:21578-21583. [PMID: 31124647 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The tremendous success of metal-halide perovskites, especially in the field of photovoltaics, has triggered a substantial number of studies in understanding their optoelectronic properties. However, consensus regarding the electronic properties of these perovskites is lacking due to a huge scatter in the reported key parameters, such as work function (Φ) and valence band maximum (VBM) values. Here, we demonstrate that the surface photovoltage (SPV) is a key phenomenon occurring at the perovskite surfaces that feature a non-negligible density of surface states, which is more the rule than an exception for most materials under study. With ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and Kelvin probe, we evidence that even minute UV photon fluxes (500 times lower than that used in typical UPS experiments) are sufficient to induce SPV and shift the perovskite Φ and VBM by several 100 meV compared to dark. By combining UV and visible light, we establish flat band conditions (i.e., compensate the surface-state-induced surface band bending) at the surface of four important perovskites, and find that all are p-type in the bulk, despite a pronounced n-type surface character in the dark. The present findings highlight that SPV effects must be considered in all surface studies to fully understand perovskites' photophysical properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Maryline Ralaiarisoa
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Li TY, Benduhn J, Qiao Z, Liu Y, Li Y, Shivhare R, Jaiser F, Wang P, Ma J, Zeika O, Neher D, Mannsfeld SCB, Ma Z, Vandewal K, Leo K. Effect of H- and J-Aggregation on the Photophysical and Voltage Loss of Boron Dipyrromethene Small Molecules in Vacuum-Deposited Organic Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:2684-2691. [PMID: 31066274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b01222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of the factors limiting the open-circuit voltage ( Voc) and related photon energy loss mechanisms is critical to increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of small-molecule organic solar cells (OSCs), especially those with near-infrared (NIR) absorbers. In this work, two NIR boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) molecules are characterized for application in planar (PHJ) and bulk (BHJ) heterojunction OSCs. When two H atoms are substituted by F atoms on the peripheral phenyl rings of the molecules, the molecular aggregation type in the thin film changes from the H-type to J-type. For PHJ devices, the nonradiative voltage loss of 0.35 V in the J-aggregated BODIPY is lower than that of 0.49 V in the H-aggregated device. In BHJ devices with a nonradiative voltage loss of 0.35 V, a PCE of 5.5% is achieved with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) maximum of 68% at 700 nm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yi Li
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
- Department of Chemistry , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , California 90089 , United States
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Zhi Qiao
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Yuan Liu
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Yue Li
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Rishi Shivhare
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Frank Jaiser
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , Potsdam-Golm 14476 , Germany
| | - Pei Wang
- Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden , Helmholtzstrasse 20 , 01069 Dresden , Germany
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Chemistry , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , California 90089 , United States
| | - Olaf Zeika
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , Potsdam-Golm 14476 , Germany
| | - Stefan C B Mannsfeld
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Zaifei Ma
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| | - Karl Leo
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , Dresden 01187 , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Schwarze M, Schellhammer KS, Ortstein K, Benduhn J, Gaul C, Hinderhofer A, Perdigón Toro L, Scholz R, Kublitski J, Roland S, Lau M, Poelking C, Andrienko D, Cuniberti G, Schreiber F, Neher D, Vandewal K, Ortmann F, Leo K. Impact of molecular quadrupole moments on the energy levels at organic heterojunctions. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2466. [PMID: 31165738 PMCID: PMC6549189 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10435-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The functionality of organic semiconductor devices crucially depends on molecular energies, namely the ionisation energy and the electron affinity. Ionisation energy and electron affinity values of thin films are, however, sensitive to film morphology and composition, making their prediction challenging. In a combined experimental and simulation study on zinc-phthalocyanine and its fluorinated derivatives, we show that changes in ionisation energy as a function of molecular orientation in neat films or mixing ratio in blends are proportional to the molecular quadrupole component along the π-π-stacking direction. We apply these findings to organic solar cells and demonstrate how the electrostatic interactions can be tuned to optimise the energy of the charge-transfer state at the donor-acceptor interface and the dissociation barrier for free charge carrier generation. The confirmation of the correlation between interfacial energies and quadrupole moments for other materials indicates its relevance for small molecules and polymers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schwarze
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Karl Sebastian Schellhammer
- Institute for Materials Science, Max-Bergmann Center of Biomaterials and Dresden Center for Computational Materials Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Ortstein
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christopher Gaul
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Hinderhofer
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón Toro
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Reinhard Scholz
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Kublitski
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Steffen Roland
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Matthias Lau
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carl Poelking
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Denis Andrienko
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gianaurelio Cuniberti
- Institute for Materials Science, Max-Bergmann Center of Biomaterials and Dresden Center for Computational Materials Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany.,Instituut voor Materiaalonderzoek (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Frank Ortmann
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Karl Leo
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ullbrich S, Benduhn J, Jia X, Nikolis VC, Tvingstedt K, Piersimoni F, Roland S, Liu Y, Wu J, Fischer A, Neher D, Reineke S, Spoltore D, Vandewal K. Emissive and charge-generating donor-acceptor interfaces for organic optoelectronics with low voltage losses. Nat Mater 2019; 18:459-464. [PMID: 30936478 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-019-0324-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Intermolecular charge-transfer states at the interface between electron donating (D) and accepting (A) materials are crucial for the operation of organic solar cells but can also be exploited for organic light-emitting diodes1,2. Non-radiative charge-transfer state decay is dominant in state-of-the-art D-A-based organic solar cells and is responsible for large voltage losses and relatively low power-conversion efficiencies as well as electroluminescence external quantum yields in the 0.01-0.0001% range3,4. In contrast, the electroluminescence external quantum yield reaches up to 16% in D-A-based organic light-emitting diodes5-7. Here, we show that proper control of charge-transfer state properties allows simultaneous occurrence of a high photovoltaic and emission quantum yield within a single, visible-light-emitting D-A system. This leads to ultralow-emission turn-on voltages as well as significantly reduced voltage losses upon solar illumination. These results unify the description of the electro-optical properties of charge-transfer states in organic optoelectronic devices and foster the use of organic D-A blends in energy conversion applications involving visible and ultraviolet photons8-11.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Ullbrich
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Xiangkun Jia
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vasileios C Nikolis
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristofer Tvingstedt
- Experimental Physics VI, Julius-Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Roland
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Yuan Liu
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jinhan Wu
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Fischer
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sebastian Reineke
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Roland S, Kniepert J, Love JA, Negi V, Liu F, Bobbert P, Melianas A, Kemerink M, Hofacker A, Neher D. Equilibrated Charge Carrier Populations Govern Steady-State Nongeminate Recombination in Disordered Organic Solar Cells. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:1374-1381. [PMID: 30829040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We employed bias-assisted charge extraction techniques to investigate the transient and steady-state recombination of photogenerated charge carriers in complete devices of a disordered polymer-fullerene blend. Charge recombination is shown to be dispersive, with a significant slowdown of the recombination rate over time, consistent with the results from kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Surprisingly, our experiments reveal little to no contributions from early time recombination of nonequilibrated charge carriers to the steady-state recombination properties. We conclude that energetic relaxation of photogenerated carriers outpaces any significant nongeminate recombination under application-relevant illumination conditions. With equilibrated charges dominating the steady-state recombination, quasi-equilibrium concepts appear suited for describing the open-circuit voltage of organic solar cells despite pronounced energetic disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Roland
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Universität Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Juliane Kniepert
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Universität Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | - John A Love
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Universität Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Vikas Negi
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems, Department of Applied Physics , Eindhoven University of Technology , P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven , The Netherlands
| | - Feilong Liu
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems, Department of Applied Physics , Eindhoven University of Technology , P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven , The Netherlands
| | - Peter Bobbert
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems, Department of Applied Physics , Eindhoven University of Technology , P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven , The Netherlands
| | - Armantas Melianas
- Biomolecular and Organic Electronics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology , Linköping University , 58183 Linköping , Sweden
| | - Martijn Kemerink
- Complex Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology , Linköping University , 58183 Linköping , Sweden
| | - Andreas Hofacker
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics , Technische Universität Dresden , 01187 Dresden , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , Universität Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kegelmann L, Tockhorn P, Wolff CM, Márquez JA, Caicedo-Dávila S, Korte L, Unold T, Lövenich W, Neher D, Rech B, Albrecht S. Mixtures of Dopant-Free Spiro-OMeTAD and Water-Free PEDOT as a Passivating Hole Contact in Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:9172-9181. [PMID: 30741517 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b01332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Doped spiro-OMeTAD at present is the most commonly used hole transport material (HTM) in n-i-p-type perovskite solar cells, enabling high efficiencies around 22%. However, the required dopants were shown to induce nonradiative recombination of charge carriers and foster degradation of the solar cell. Here, in a novel approach, highly conductive and inexpensive water-free poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is used to replace these dopants. The resulting spiro-OMeTAD/PEDOT (SpiDOT) mixed films achieve higher lateral conductivities than layers of doped spiro-OMeTAD. Furthermore, combined transient and steady-state photoluminescence studies reveal a passivating effect of PEDOT, suppressing nonradiative recombination losses at the perovskite/HTM interface. This enables excellent quasi-Fermi level splitting values of up to 1.24 eV in perovskite/SpiDOT layer stacks and high open-circuit voltages ( VOC) up to 1.19 V in complete solar cells. Increasing the amount of dopant-free spiro-OMeTAD in SpiDOT layers is shown to enhance hole extraction and thereby improves the fill factor in solar cells. As a consequence, stabilized efficiencies up to 18.7% are realized, exceeding cells with doped spiro-OMeTAD as a HTM in this study. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, these results mark the lowest nonradiative recombination loss in the VOC (140 mV with respect to the Shockley-Queisser limit) and highest efficiency reported so far for perovskite solar cells using PEDOT as a HTM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Wilfried Lövenich
- Business Line Electronic Chemicals (HEB) , Heraeus Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG , 51368 Leverkusen , Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam , Germany
| | | | - Steve Albrecht
- Faculty IV-Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , Technical University Berlin , 10587 Berlin , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Zu F, Amsalem P, Egger DA, Wang R, Wolff CM, Fang H, Loi MA, Neher D, Kronik L, Duhm S, Koch N. Constructing the Electronic Structure of CH 3NH 3PbI 3 and CH 3NH 3PbBr 3 Perovskite Thin Films from Single-Crystal Band Structure Measurements. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:601-609. [PMID: 30642163 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Photovoltaic cells based on halide perovskites, possessing remarkably high power conversion efficiencies have been reported. To push the development of such devices further, a comprehensive and reliable understanding of their electronic properties is essential but presently not available. To provide a solid foundation for understanding the electronic properties of polycrystalline thin films, we employ single-crystal band structure data from angle-resolved photoemission measurements. For two prototypical perovskites (CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3NH3PbI3), we reveal the band dispersion in two high-symmetry directions and identify the global valence band maxima. With these benchmark data, we construct "standard" photoemission spectra from polycrystalline thin film samples and resolve challenges discussed in the literature for determining the valence band onset with high reliability. Within the framework laid out here, the consistency of relating the energy level alignment in perovskite-based photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices with their functional parameters is substantially enhanced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Patrick Amsalem
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - David A Egger
- Institute of Theoretical Physics , University of Regensburg , 93040 Regensburg , Germany
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovoth 76100 , Israel
| | - Rongbin Wang
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Honghua Fang
- Photophysics & OptoElectronics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , Groningen 9747 AG , The Netherlands
| | - Maria Antonietta Loi
- Photophysics & OptoElectronics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , Groningen 9747 AG , The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie , Universität Potsdam , 14776 Potsdam , Germany
| | - Leeor Kronik
- Department of Materials and Interfaces , Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovoth 76100 , Israel
| | - Steffen Duhm
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials & Devices , Soochow University , Suzhou , Jiangsu 215123 , People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Collado-Fregoso E, Pugliese SN, Wojcik M, Benduhn J, Bar-Or E, Perdigón Toro L, Hörmann U, Spoltore D, Vandewal K, Hodgkiss JM, Neher D. Energy-Gap Law for Photocurrent Generation in Fullerene-Based Organic Solar Cells: The Case of Low-Donor-Content Blends. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:2329-2341. [PMID: 30620190 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b09820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of charge-transfer (CT) states in the photogeneration and recombination of charge carriers has been an important focus of study within the organic photovoltaic community. In this work, we investigate the molecular factors determining the mechanism of photocurrent generation in low-donor-content organic solar cells, where the active layer is composed of vacuum-deposited C60 and small amounts of organic donor molecules. We find a pronounced decline of all photovoltaic parameters with decreasing CT state energy. Using a combination of steady-state photocurrent measurements and time-delayed collection field experiments, we demonstrate that the power conversion efficiency, and more specifically, the fill factor of these devices, is mainly determined by the bias dependence of photocurrent generation. By combining these findings with the results from ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, we show that blends with small CT energies perform poorly because of an increased nonradiative CT state decay rate and that this decay obeys an energy-gap law. Our work challenges the common view that a large energy offset at the heterojunction and/or the presence of fullerene clusters guarantee efficient CT dissociation and rather indicates that charge generation benefits from high CT state energies through a slower decay to the ground state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Collado-Fregoso
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Silvina N Pugliese
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences , Victoria University of Wellington , Wellington 6040 , New Zealand.,The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology , Wellington 6040 , New Zealand
| | - Mariusz Wojcik
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry , Lodz University of Technology , Wroblewskiego 15 , 93590 Lodz , Poland
| | - Johannes Benduhn
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , 01187 Dresden , Germany
| | - Eyal Bar-Or
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón Toro
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Ulrich Hörmann
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Donato Spoltore
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute for Applied Physics , Technische Universität Dresden , Nöthnitzer Straße 61 , 01187 Dresden , Germany
| | - Koen Vandewal
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC) , Hasselt University , Wetenschapspark 1 , 3590 Diepenbeek , Belgium
| | - Justin M Hodgkiss
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences , Victoria University of Wellington , Wellington 6040 , New Zealand.,The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology , Wellington 6040 , New Zealand
| | - Dieter Neher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 , 14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang S, Stolterfoht M, Armin A, Lin Q, Zu F, Sobus J, Jin H, Koch N, Meredith P, Burn PL, Neher D. Interface Engineering of Solution-Processed Hybrid Organohalide Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2018; 10:21681-21687. [PMID: 29856202 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b02503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Engineering the interface between the perovskite absorber and the charge-transporting layers has become an important method for improving the charge extraction and open-circuit voltage ( VOC) of hybrid perovskite solar cells. Conjugated polymers are particularly suited to form the hole-transporting layer, but their hydrophobicity renders it difficult to solution-process the perovskite absorber on top. Herein, oxygen plasma treatment is introduced as a simple means to change the surface energy and work function of hydrophobic polymer interlayers for use as p-contacts in perovskite solar cells. We find that upon oxygen plasma treatment, the hydrophobic surfaces of different prototypical p-type polymers became sufficiently hydrophilic to enable subsequent perovskite junction processing. In addition, the oxygen plasma treatment also increased the ionization potential of the polymer such that it became closer to the valance band energy of the perovskite. It was also found that the oxygen plasma treatment could increase the electrical conductivity of the p-type polymers, facilitating more efficient charge extraction. On the basis of this concept, inverted MAPbI3 perovskite devices with different oxygen plasma-treated polymers such as P3HT, P3OT, polyTPD, or PTAA were fabricated with power conversion efficiencies of up to 19%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and School of Mathematics and Physics , The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072 , Australia
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , D-14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , D-14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| | - Ardalan Armin
- Department of Physics , Swansea University , Singleton Park , Swansea SA2 8PP , Wales , United Kingdom
| | - Qianqian Lin
- Key Lab of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education of China , Wuhan University , Wuhan 430072 , P. R. China
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Jan Sobus
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and School of Mathematics and Physics , The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072 , Australia
| | - Hui Jin
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and School of Mathematics and Physics , The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072 , Australia
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , 12489 Berlin , Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH , 12489 Berlin , Germany
| | - Paul Meredith
- Department of Physics , Swansea University , Singleton Park , Swansea SA2 8PP , Wales , United Kingdom
| | - Paul L Burn
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and School of Mathematics and Physics , The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072 , Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy , University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25 , D-14476 Potsdam-Golm , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kurpiers J, Ferron T, Roland S, Jakoby M, Thiede T, Jaiser F, Albrecht S, Janietz S, Collins BA, Howard IA, Neher D. Probing the pathways of free charge generation in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2038. [PMID: 29795114 PMCID: PMC5966440 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04386-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The fact that organic solar cells perform efficiently despite the low dielectric constant of most photoactive blends initiated a long-standing debate regarding the dominant pathways of free charge formation. Here, we address this issue through the accurate measurement of the activation energy for free charge photogeneration over a wide range of photon energy, using the method of time-delayed collection field. For our prototypical low bandgap polymer:fullerene blends, we find that neither the temperature nor the field dependence of free charge generation depend on the excitation energy, ruling out an appreciable contribution to free charge generation though hot carrier pathways. On the other hand, activation energies are on the order of the room temperature thermal energy for all studied blends. We conclude that charge generation in such devices proceeds through thermalized charge transfer states, and that thermal energy is sufficient to separate most of these states into free charges. Contradictory models are being debated on the dominant pathways of charge generation in organic solar cells. Here Kurpiers et al. determine the activation energy for this fundamental process and reveal that the main channel is via thermalized charge transfer states instead of hot exciton dissociation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jona Kurpiers
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Soft Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Thomas Ferron
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Steffen Roland
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Soft Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Marius Jakoby
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz-1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Tobias Thiede
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Soft Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Frank Jaiser
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Soft Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Steve Albrecht
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Nachwuchsgruppe Perowskit Tandemsolarzellen, Kekuléstraße 5, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Janietz
- Fraunhofer IAP, Polymere und Elektronik, Geiselbergstraße 69, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Brian A Collins
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Ian A Howard
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz Platz-1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Soft Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Love JA, Feuerstein M, Wolff CM, Facchetti A, Neher D. Lead Halide Perovskites as Charge Generation Layers for Electron Mobility Measurement in Organic Semiconductors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:42011-42019. [PMID: 29083145 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b10361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid lead halide perovskites are introduced as charge generation layers (CGLs) for the accurate determination of electron mobilities in thin organic semiconductors. Such hybrid perovskites have become a widely studied photovoltaic material in their own right, for their high efficiencies, ease of processing from solution, strong absorption, and efficient photogeneration of charge. Time-of-flight (ToF) measurements on bilayer samples consisting of the perovskite CGL and an organic semiconductor layer of different thickness are shown to be determined by the carrier motion through the organic material, consistent with the much higher charge carrier mobility in the perovskite. Together with the efficient photon-to-electron conversion in the perovskite, this high mobility imbalance enables electron-only mobility measurement on relatively thin application-relevant organic films, which would not be possible with traditional ToF measurements. This architecture enables electron-selective mobility measurements in single components as well as bulk-heterojunction films as demonstrated in the prototypical polymer/fullerene blends. To further demonstrate the potential of this approach, electron mobilities were measured as a function of electric field and temperature in an only 127 nm thick layer of a prototypical electron-transporting perylene diimide-based polymer, and found to be consistent with an exponential trap distribution of ca. 60 meV. Our study furthermore highlights the importance of high mobility charge transporting layers when designing perovskite solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John A Love
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Markus Feuerstein
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| | - Antonio Facchetti
- Department of Chemistry and The Materials Research Center, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute for Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Collado-Fregoso E, Hood SN, Shoaee S, Schroeder BC, McCulloch I, Kassal I, Neher D, Durrant JR. Intercalated vs Nonintercalated Morphologies in Donor-Acceptor Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells: PBTTT:Fullerene Charge Generation and Recombination Revisited. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:4061-4068. [PMID: 28777583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b01571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this Letter, we study the role of the donor:acceptor interface nanostructure upon charge separation and recombination in organic photovoltaic devices and blend films, using mixtures of PBTTT and two different fullerene derivatives (PC70BM and ICTA) as models for intercalated and nonintercalated morphologies, respectively. Thermodynamic simulations show that while the completely intercalated system exhibits a large free-energy barrier for charge separation, this barrier is significantly lower in the nonintercalated system and almost vanishes when energetic disorder is included in the model. Despite these differences, both femtosecond-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) and time-delayed collection field (TDCF) exhibit extensive first-order losses in both systems, suggesting that geminate pairs are the primary product of photoexcitation. In contrast, the system that comprises a combination of fully intercalated polymer:fullerene areas and fullerene-aggregated domains (1:4 PBTTT:PC70BM) is the only one that shows slow, second-order recombination of free charges, resulting in devices with an overall higher short-circuit current and fill factor. This study therefore provides a novel consideration of the role of the interfacial nanostructure and the nature of bound charges and their impact upon charge generation and recombination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Collado-Fregoso
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha N Hood
- Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Safa Shoaee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Bob C Schroeder
- Materials Research Institute and School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- KSC, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology , Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ivan Kassal
- Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland , Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, and School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney , Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - James R Durrant
- Centre for Plastic Electronics, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London , Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- SPECIFIC IKC, College of Engineering, Swansea University , Swansea SA12 7AX, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Chen Z, Savateev A, Pronkin S, Papaefthimiou V, Wolff C, Willinger MG, Willinger E, Neher D, Antonietti M, Dontsova D. "The Easier the Better" Preparation of Efficient Photocatalysts-Metastable Poly(heptazine imide) Salts. Adv Mater 2017. [PMID: 28632318 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201700555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Cost-efficient, visible-light-driven hydrogen production from water is an attractive potential source of clean, sustainable fuel. Here, it is shown that thermal solid state reactions of traditional carbon nitride precursors (cyanamide, melamine) with NaCl, KCl, or CsCl are a cheap and straightforward way to prepare poly(heptazine imide) alkali metal salts, whose thermodynamic stability decreases upon the increase of the metal atom size. The chemical structure of the prepared salts is confirmed by the results of X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopies, powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies, and, in the case of sodium poly(heptazine imide), additionally by atomic pair distribution function analysis and 2D powder X-ray diffraction pattern simulations. In contrast, reactions with LiCl yield thermodynamically stable poly(triazine imides). Owing to the metastability and high structural order, the obtained heptazine imide salts are found to be highly active photocatalysts in Rhodamine B and 4-chlorophenol degradation, and Pt-assisted sacrificial water reduction reactions under visible light irradiation. The measured hydrogen evolution rates are up to four times higher than those provided by a benchmark photocatalyst, mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride. Moreover, the products are able to photocatalytically reduce water with considerable reaction rates, even when glycerol is used as a sacrificial hole scavenger.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zupeng Chen
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Aleksandr Savateev
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Sergey Pronkin
- Institut de Chimie et des Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES), ECPM, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg (UdS) UMR 7515, 25, rue Becquerel, Strasbourg, 67087, France
| | - Vasiliki Papaefthimiou
- Institut de Chimie et des Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES), ECPM, CNRS-Université de Strasbourg (UdS) UMR 7515, 25, rue Becquerel, Strasbourg, 67087, France
| | - Christian Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Marc Georg Willinger
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Elena Willinger
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Dariya Dontsova
- Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wolff CM, Zu F, Paulke A, Toro LP, Koch N, Neher D. Reduced Interface-Mediated Recombination for High Open-Circuit Voltages in CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2017; 29:1700159. [PMID: 28547858 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201700159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells with all-organic transport layers exhibit efficiencies rivaling their counterparts that employ inorganic transport layers, while avoiding high-temperature processing. Herein, it is investigated how the choice of the fullerene derivative employed in the electron-transporting layer of inverted perovskite cells affects the open-circuit voltage (VOC ). It is shown that nonradiative recombination mediated by the electron-transporting layer is the limiting factor for the VOC in the cells. By inserting an ultrathin layer of an insulating polymer between the active CH3 NH3 PbI3 perovskite and the fullerene, an external radiative efficiency of up to 0.3%, a VOC as high as 1.16 V, and a power conversion efficiency of 19.4% are realized. The results show that the reduction of nonradiative recombination due to charge-blocking at the perovskite/organic interface is more important than proper level alignment in the search for ideal selective contacts toward high VOC and efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Wolff
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Fengshuo Zu
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 6, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Paulke
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lorena Perdigón Toro
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Norbert Koch
- Institut für Physik & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 6, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14776, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kegelmann L, Wolff CM, Awino C, Lang F, Unger EL, Korte L, Dittrich T, Neher D, Rech B, Albrecht S. It Takes Two to Tango-Double-Layer Selective Contacts in Perovskite Solar Cells for Improved Device Performance and Reduced Hysteresis. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:17245-17255. [PMID: 28436227 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b00900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Solar cells made from inorganic-organic perovskites have gradually approached market requirements as their efficiency and stability have improved tremendously in recent years. Planar low-temperature processed perovskite solar cells are advantageous for possible large-scale production but are more prone to exhibiting photocurrent hysteresis, especially in the regular n-i-p structure. Here, a systematic characterization of different electron selective contacts with a variety of chemical and electrical properties in planar n-i-p devices processed below 180 °C is presented. The inorganic metal oxides TiO2 and SnO2, the organic fullerene derivatives C60, PCBM, and ICMA, as well as double-layers with a metal oxide/PCBM structure are used as electron transport materials (ETMs). Perovskite layers deposited atop the different ETMs with the herein applied fabrication method show a similar morphology according to scanning electron microscopy. Further, surface photovoltage spectroscopy measurements indicate comparable perovskite absorber qualities on all ETMs, except TiO2, which shows a more prominent influence of defect states. Transient photoluminescence studies together with current-voltage scans over a broad range of scan speeds reveal faster charge extraction, less pronounced hysteresis effects, and higher efficiencies for devices with fullerene compared to those with metal oxide ETMs. Beyond this, only double-layer ETM structures substantially diminish hysteresis effects for all performed scan speeds and strongly enhance the power conversion efficiency up to a champion stabilized value of 18.0%. The results indicate reduced recombination losses for a double-layer TiO2/PCBM contact design: First, a reduction of shunt paths through the fullerene to the ITO layer. Second, an improved hole blocking by the wide band gap metal oxide. Third, decreased transport losses due to an energetically more favorable contact, as implied by photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The herein demonstrated improvements of multilayer selective contacts may serve as a general design guideline for perovskite solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian M Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | | | | | - Eva L Unger
- Department of Chemistry and NanoLund, Lund University , Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | | | | | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Vandewal K, Benduhn J, Schellhammer KS, Vangerven T, Rückert JE, Piersimoni F, Scholz R, Zeika O, Fan Y, Barlow S, Neher D, Marder SR, Manca J, Spoltore D, Cuniberti G, Ortmann F. Absorption Tails of Donor:C 60 Blends Provide Insight into Thermally Activated Charge-Transfer Processes and Polaron Relaxation. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:1699-1704. [PMID: 28068763 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In disordered organic semiconductors, the transfer of a rather localized charge carrier from one site to another triggers a deformation of the molecular structure quantified by the intramolecular relaxation energy. A similar structural relaxation occurs upon population of intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) states formed at organic electron donor (D)-acceptor (A) interfaces. Weak CT absorption bands for D-A complexes occur at photon energies below the optical gaps of both the donors and the C60 acceptor as a result of optical transitions from the neutral ground state to the ionic CT state. In this work, we show that temperature-activated intramolecular vibrations of the ground state play a major role in determining the line shape of such CT absorption bands. This allows us to extract values for the relaxation energy related to the geometry change from neutral to ionic CT complexes. Experimental values for the relaxation energies of 20 D:C60 CT complexes correlate with values calculated within density functional theory. These results provide an experimental method for determining the polaron relaxation energy in solid-state organic D-A blends and show the importance of a reduced relaxation energy, which we introduce to characterize thermally activated CT processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tim Vangerven
- Material Physics Division, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University , Universitaire Campus, Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Fortunato Piersimoni
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | | | - Yeli Fan
- Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States
| | - Stephen Barlow
- Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Seth R Marder
- Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, United States
| | - Jean Manca
- X-LaB, Hasselt University , Universitaire Campus, Agoralaan 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Savateev A, Pronkin S, Epping JD, Willinger MG, Wolff C, Neher D, Antonietti M, Dontsova D. Potassium Poly(heptazine imides) from Aminotetrazoles: Shifting Band Gaps of Carbon Nitride-like Materials for More Efficient Solar Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution. ChemCatChem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201601165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Savateev
- Department of Colloid Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces; Am Mühlenberg 1, OT Golm 14476 Potsdam Germany
| | - Sergey Pronkin
- Institut de Chimie et des Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES), ECPM; CNRS-Université de Strasbourg (UdS) UMR 7515; 25, rue Becquerel 67087 Strasbourg France
| | - Jan Dirk Epping
- Department of Chemistry; Technische Universität Berlin; Strasse des 17 Juni 135 10623 Berlin Germany
| | - Marc Georg Willinger
- Department of Colloid Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces; Am Mühlenberg 1, OT Golm 14476 Potsdam Germany
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry; Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society; Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Christian Wolff
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy; University of Potsdam; Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 14476 Potsdam Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy; University of Potsdam; Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25 14476 Potsdam Germany
| | - Markus Antonietti
- Department of Colloid Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces; Am Mühlenberg 1, OT Golm 14476 Potsdam Germany
| | - Dariya Dontsova
- Department of Colloid Chemistry; Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces; Am Mühlenberg 1, OT Golm 14476 Potsdam Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Stolterfoht M, Armin A, Philippa B, Neher D. The Role of Space Charge Effects on the Competition between Recombination and Extraction in Solar Cells with Low-Mobility Photoactive Layers. J Phys Chem Lett 2016; 7:4716-4721. [PMID: 27790908 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b02106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The competition between charge extraction and nongeminate recombination critically determines the current-voltage characteristics of organic solar cells (OSCs) and their fill factor. As a measure of this competition, several figures of merit (FOMs) have been put forward; however, the impact of space charge effects has been either neglected, or not specifically addressed. Here we revisit recently reported FOMs and discuss the role of space charge effects on the interplay between recombination and extraction. We find that space charge effects are the primary cause for the onset of recombination in so-called non-Langevin systems, which also depends on the slower carrier mobility and recombination coefficient. The conclusions are supported with numerical calculations and experimental results of 25 different donor/acceptor OSCs with different charge transport parameters, active layer thicknesses or composition ratios. The findings represent a conclusive understanding of bimolecular recombination for drift dominated photocurrents and allow one to minimize these losses for given device parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Stolterfoht
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Ardalan Armin
- Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics (COPE), School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland , Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Bronson Philippa
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University , Cairns 4878, Australia
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Zerson M, Neumann M, Steyrleuthner R, Neher D, Magerle R. Surface Structure of Semicrystalline Naphthalene Diimide–Bithiophene Copolymer Films Studied with Atomic Force Microscopy. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Zerson
- Fakultät
für Naturwissenschaften, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Martin Neumann
- Fakultät
für Naturwissenschaften, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Robert Steyrleuthner
- Institute
of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Dieter Neher
- Institute
of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Robert Magerle
- Fakultät
für Naturwissenschaften, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|