1
|
Pinjari D, Patil Y, Misra R. Near-Infrared Absorbing Aza-BODIPY Dyes for Optoelectronic Applications. Chem Asian J 2024:e202400167. [PMID: 38733151 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202400167] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Organic dyes that absorb light in the visible to near-infrared region have garnered significant interest, owing to their extensive utility in organic photovoltaics and various biomedical applications. Aza-boron-dipyrromethene (Aza-BODIPY) dyes are a class of chromophores with impressive photophysical properties such as tunable absorption from the visible region towards near infrared (NIR) region, high molar absorptivity, and fluorescence quantum yield. In this review, we discuss the developments in the aza-BODIPYs, related to their synthetic routes, photophysical properties and their applications. Their design strategies, modifications in chemical structures, mode/position of attachment, and their impact on photo-physical properties are reviewed. The potential applications of aza-BODIPY derivatives such as organic solar cells, photodynamic therapy, boron-neutron capture therapy, fluorescence sensors, photo-redox catalysis, photoacoustic probes and optoelectronic devices are explained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuvraj Patil
- North Dakota State University, Chemistry, UNITED STATES
| | - Rajneesh Misra
- IIT Indore, Chemistry, Khandwa Road, 452017, 453552, Indore, INDIA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
De R, Calvet NA, Dietzek-Ivanšić B. Charge Transfer Dynamics in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Heterostructures-Insights by Vibrational-Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202313574. [PMID: 38471070 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202313574] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Organic-inorganic heterostructures play a pivotal role in modern electronic and optoelectronic applications including photodetectors and field effect transistors, as well as in solar energy conversion such as photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells, photoelectrochemical cells, and in organic photovoltaics. To a large extent, performance of such devices is controlled by charge transfer dynamics at and across (inner) interfaces, e.g., between a wide band gap semiconductor and molecular sensitizers and/or catalysts. Hence, a detailed understanding of the structure-dynamics-function relationship of such functional interfaces is necessary to rationalize possible performance limitations of these materials and devices on a molecular level. Vibrational sum-frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy, as an interface-sensitive spectroscopic technique, allows to obtain chemically specific information from interfaces and combines such chemical insights with ultrafast time resolution, when integrated as a spectroscopic probe into a pump-probe scheme. Thus, this minireview discusses the advantages and potential of VSFG spectroscopy for investigating interfacial charge transfer dynamics and structural changes at inner interfaces. A critical perspective of the unique spectroscopic view of otherwise inaccessible interfaces is presented, which we hope opens new opportunities for an improved understanding of function-determining processes in complex materials, and brings together communities who are devoted to designing materials and devices with spectroscopists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ratnadip De
- Research Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Neus A Calvet
- Research Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Dietzek-Ivanšić
- Research Department Functional Interfaces, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7a, 07743, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gibert-Roca M, Casademont-Viñas M, Liu Q, Vandewal K, Goñi AR, Campoy-Quiles M. RAINBOW Organic Solar Cells: Implementing Spectral Splitting in Lateral Multi-Junction Architectures. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2212226. [PMID: 36944218 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202212226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While multi-junction geometries have the potential to boost the efficiency of organic solar cells, the experimental gains yet obtained are still very modest. This work proposes an alternative spectral splitting device concept in which various individual semiconducting junctions with cascading bandgaps are laid side by side, thus the name RAINBOW. Each lateral sub-cell receives a fraction of the spectrum that closely matches the main absorption band of the given semiconductor. Here, simulations are used to identify the important material and device properties of each RAINBOW sub-cell. Using the resulting design rules, three systems are selected, with narrow, medium, and wide effective bandgaps, and their potential as sub-cells in this geometry is experimentally investigated. With the aid of a custom-built setup that generates spectrally spread sunlight on demand, the simulations are experimentally validated, showing that this geometry can lead to a reduction in thermalization losses and an improvement in light harvesting, which results in a relative improvement in efficiency of 46.6% with respect to the best sub-cell. Finally, a working proof-of-concept monolithic device consisting of two sub-cells deposited from solution on the same substrate is fabricated, thus demonstrating the feasibility and the potential of the RAINBOW solar cell concept.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martí Gibert-Roca
- Dept. of Nanostructured Materials, Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), E-08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Miquel Casademont-Viñas
- Dept. of Nanostructured Materials, Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), E-08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Quan Liu
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, BE3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Koen Vandewal
- IMO-IMOMEC, Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, BE3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | - Mariano Campoy-Quiles
- Dept. of Nanostructured Materials, Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), E-08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fu Z, Qiao JW, Cui FZ, Zhang WQ, Wang LH, Lu P, Yin H, Du XY, Qin W, Hao XT. π-π Stacking Modulation via Polymer Adsorption for Elongated Exciton Diffusion in High-Efficiency Thick-Film Organic Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2313532. [PMID: 38386402 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313532] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Developing efficient organic solar cells (OSCs) with thick active layers is crucial for roll-to-roll printing. However, thicker layers often result in lower efficiency. This study tackles this challenge using a polymer adsorption strategy combined with a layer-by-layer approach. Incorporating insulator polystyrene (PS) into the PM6:L8-BO system creates PM6+PS:L8-BO blends, effectively suppressing trap states and extending exciton diffusion length in the mixed donor domain. Adding insulating polymers with benzene rings to the donor enhances π-π stacking of donors, boosting intermolecular interactions and electron wave function overlap. This results in more orderly molecular stacking, longer exciton lifetimes, and higher diffusion lengths. The promoted long-range exciton diffusion leads to high power conversion efficiencies of 19.05% and 18.15% for PM6+PS:L8-BO blend films with 100 and 300 nm thickness, respectively, as well as a respectable 16.00% for 500 nm. These insights guide material selection for better exciton diffusion, and offer a method for thick-film OSC fabrication, promoting a prosperous future for practical OSC mass production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Fu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Wei Qiao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Zhe Cui
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Qing Zhang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Ling-Hua Wang
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Peng Lu
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
- School of Physics, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Physics Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Hang Yin
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Yan Du
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Wei Qin
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Tao Hao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, P. R. China
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang G, Wang J, Cui Y, Chen Z, Wang W, Yu Y, Zhang T, Ma L, Xiao Y, Qiao J, Xu Y, Hao XT, Hou J. Achieving High Fill Factor in Organic Photovoltaic Cells by Tuning Molecular Electrostatic Potential Fluctuation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401066. [PMID: 38450828 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401066] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
In the field of organic photovoltaics (OPVs), significant progress has been made in tailoring molecular structures to enhance the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current density. However, there remains a crucial gap in the development of coordinated material design strategies focused on improving the fill factor (FF). Here, we introduce a molecular design strategy that incorporates electrostatic potential fluctuation to design organic photovoltaic materials. By reducing the fluctuation amplitude of IT-4F, we synthesized a new acceptor named ITOC6-4F. When using PBQx-TF as a donor, the ITOC6-4F-based cell shows a markedly low recombination rate constant of 0.66×10-14 cm3 s-1 and demonstrates an outstanding FF of 0.816, both of which are new records for binary OPV cells. Also, we find that a small fluctuation amplitude could decrease the energetic disorder of OPV cells, reducing energy loss. Finally, the ITOC6-4F-based cell creates the highest efficiency of 16.0 % among medium-gap OPV cells. Our work holds a vital implication for guiding the design of high-performance OPV materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Wenxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yue Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lijiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiawei Qiao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Ye Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology, Trina Solar, Changzhou, 213000, China
| | - Xiao-Tao Hao
- School of Physics, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China
| | - Jianhui Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hume PA, Price MB, Hodgkiss JM. New Avenues for Organic Solar Cells Using Intrinsically Charge-Generating Materials. JACS Au 2024; 4:1295-1302. [PMID: 38665646 PMCID: PMC11040696 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00046] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The molecular electron acceptor material Y6 has been a key part of the most recent surge in organic solar cell sunlight-to-electricity power conversion efficiency, which is now approaching 20%. Numerous studies have sought to understand the fundamental photophysical reasons for the exceptional performance of Y6 and its growing family of structural derivatives. Though significant uncertainty about several details remains, many have concluded that initially photogenerated excited states rapidly convert into electron-hole charge pairs in the neat material. These charge pairs are characterized by location of the electron and hole on different Y6 molecules, in contrast to the Frenkel excitons that dominate the behavior of most organic semiconductor materials. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding Y6 photophysics and the key observations that have led to it. We then link this understanding to other advances, such as the role of quadrupolar fields in donor-acceptor blends, and the importance of molecular interactions and organization in providing the structural basis for Y6's properties. Finally, we turn our attention to ways of making use of the new photophysics of Y6, and suggest molecular doping, crystal structure tuning, and electric field engineering as promising avenues for future exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Hume
- School
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria
University of Wellington, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid
Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| | - Michael B. Price
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Justin M. Hodgkiss
- School
of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria
University of Wellington, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
- MacDiarmid
Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kilbride RC, Spooner ELK, Burg SL, Oliveira BL, Charas A, Bernardo G, Dalgliesh R, King S, Lidzey DG, Jones RAL, Parnell AJ. The Nanoscale Structure and Stability of Organic Photovoltaic Blends Processed with Solvent Additives. Small 2024:e2311109. [PMID: 38597752 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311109] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Controlling the nanomorphology in bulk heterojunction photoactive blends is crucial for optimizing the performance and stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies. A promising approach is to alter the drying dynamics and consequently, the nanostructure of the blend film using solvent additives such as 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO). Although this approach is demonstrated extensively for OPV systems incorporating fullerene-based acceptors, it is unclear how solvent additive processing influences the morphology and stability of nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) systems. Here, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to probe the nanomorphology of two model OPV systems processed with DIO: a fullerene-based system (PBDB-T:PC71BM) and an NFA-based system (PBDB-T:ITIC). To overcome the low intrinsic neutron scattering length density contrast in polymer:NFA blend films, the synthesis of a deuterated NFA analog (ITIC-d52) is reported. Using SANS, new insights into the nanoscale evolution of fullerene and NFA-based systems are provided by characterizing films immediately after fabrication, after thermal annealing, and after aging for 1 year. It is found that DIO processing influences fullerene and NFA-based systems differently with NFA-based systems characterized by more phase-separated domains. After long-term aging, SANS reveals both systems demonstrate some level of thermodynamic induced domain coarsening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Kilbride
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L K Spooner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
- The Photon Science Institute, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PY, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie L Burg
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Bárbara L Oliveira
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisboa, P-1049-001, Portugal
| | - Ana Charas
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisboa, P-1049-001, Portugal
| | - Gabriel Bernardo
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Robert Dalgliesh
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen King
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Spallation Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - David G Lidzey
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A L Jones
- Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Sackville Street Building, Manchester, M1 3BB, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Parnell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Li Y, Qi F, Fan B, Liu KK, Yu J, Fu Y, Liu X, Wang Z, Zhang S, Lu G, Lu X, Fan Q, Chow PCY, Ma W, Lin FR, Jen AKY. Eliminating the Burn-in Loss of Efficiency in Organic Solar Cells by Applying Dimer Acceptors as Supramolecular Stabilizers. Adv Mater 2024:e2313393. [PMID: 38573779 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313393] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The meta-stable active layer morphology of organic solar cells (OSCs) is identified as the main cause of the rapid burn-in loss of power conversion efficiency (PCE) during long-term device operation. However, effective strategies to eliminate the associated loss mechanisms from the initial stage of device operation are still lacking, especially for high-efficiency material systems. Herein, the introduction of molecularly engineered dimer acceptors with adjustable thermal transition properties into the active layer of OSCs to serve as supramolecular stabilizers for regulating the thermal transitions and optimizing the crystallization of the absorber composites is reported. By establishing intimate π-π interactions with small-molecule acceptors, these stabilizers can effectively reduce the trap-state density (Nt) in the devices to achieve excellent PCEs over 19%. More importantly, the low Nt associated with an initially optimized morphology can be maintained under external stresses to significantly reduce the PCE burn-in loss in devices. This research reveals a judicious approach to improving OPV stability by establishing a comprehensive correlation between material properties, active-layer morphology, and device performance, for developing burn-in-free OSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanxun Li
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Baobing Fan
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Kai-Kai Liu
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jifa Yu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Yuang Fu
- Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xianzhao Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Sen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Guanghao Lu
- Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Xinhui Lu
- Department of Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qunping Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Philip C Y Chow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wei Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Francis R Lin
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Alex K-Y Jen
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute for Clean Energy, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Samir M, Moustafa E, Almora O, Ramírez-Como M, Montero-Rama MP, Sánchez JG, Palomares E, Pallarès J, Marsal LF. CPE-Na-Based Hole Transport Layers for Improving the Stability in Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells: A Comprehensive Study. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:16317-16327. [PMID: 38526453 PMCID: PMC10995908 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01154] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have experienced significant development in the last decades after the introduction of nonfullerene acceptor molecules with top power conversion efficiencies reported over 19% and considerable versatility, for example, with application in transparent/semitransparent and flexible photovoltaics. Yet, the optimization of the operational stability continues to be a challenge. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the use of a conjugated polyelectrolyte polymer (CPE-Na) as a hole layer (HTL) to improve the performance and longevity of OPV cells. Two different fabrication approaches were adopted: integrating CPE-Na with PEDOT:PSS to create a composite HTL and using CPE-Na as a stand-alone bilayer deposited beneath PEDOT:PSS on the ITO substrate. These configurations were compared against a reference device employing PEDOT:PSS alone, as the HTL increased efficiency and fill factor. The instruments with CPE-Na also demonstrated increased stability in the dark and under simulated operational conditions. Device-based PEDOT:PSS as an HTL reached T80 after 2500 h while involving CPE-Na in the device kept at T90 in the same period, evidenced by a reduced degradation rate. Furthermore, the impedance spectroscopy and photoinduced transient methods suggest optimized charge transfer and reduced charge carrier recombination. These findings collectively highlight the potential of CPE-Na as a HTL optimizer material for nonfluorine OPV cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Samir
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
| | - Enas Moustafa
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
- Science
and Engineering of Renewable Energy Department, Faculty of Postgraduate
Studies for Advanced Science, Beni Suef
University, Beni Suef 62521, Egypt
| | - Osbel Almora
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
| | - Magaly Ramírez-Como
- Sección
de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, UPIITA Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07340, Mexico
| | - Maria Pilar Montero-Rama
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
| | - José G. Sánchez
- Institute
of Chemical Research of Catalonia-CERCA (ICIQ-CERCA), Tarragona 43007, Spain
| | - Emilio Palomares
- Institute
of Chemical Research of Catalonia-CERCA (ICIQ-CERCA), Tarragona 43007, Spain
- Institución
Catalana de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Josep Pallarès
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
| | - Lluis F. Marsal
- Department
of Electronic, Electric and Automatic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona 43007, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ahmadpour M, Ahmad M, Prete M, Hansen JL, Miakota DI, Greenbank W, Zheng YJ, Top M, Ebel T, Rubahn HG, Turkovic V, Canulescu S, Witkowski N, Madsen M. Tuning Surface Defect States in Sputtered Titanium Oxide Electron Transport Layers for Enhanced Stability of Organic Photovoltaics. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:16580-16588. [PMID: 38529895 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00056] [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: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) have dramatically improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaics (OPV) in recent years; however, their device stability currently remains a bottleneck for further technological progress. Photocatalytic decomposition of nonfullerene acceptor molecules at metal oxide electron transport layer (ETL) interfaces has in several recent reports been demonstrated as one of the main degradation mechanisms for these high-performing OPV devices. While some routes for mitigating such degradation effects have been proposed, e.g., through a second layer integrated on the ETL surface, no clear strategy that complies with device scale-up and application requirements has been presented to date. In this work, it is demonstrated that the development of sputtered titanium oxide layers as ETLs in nonfullerene acceptor based OPV can lead to significantly enhanced device lifetimes. This is achieved by tuning the concentration of defect states at the oxide surface, via the reactive sputtering process, to mitigate the photocatalytic decomposition of NFA molecules at the metal oxide interlayers. Reduced defect state formation at the oxide surface is confirmed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies, while the reduced photocatalytic decomposition of nonfullerene acceptor molecules is confirmed via optical spectroscopy investigations. The PBDB-T:ITIC organic solar cells show power conversion efficiencies of around 10% and significantly enhanced photostability. This is achieved through a reactive sputtering process that is fully scalable and industry compatible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrad Ahmadpour
- Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), University of Southern Denmark, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Mariam Ahmad
- Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), University of Southern Denmark, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Michela Prete
- Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), University of Southern Denmark, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - John Lundsgaard Hansen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy/Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNano), Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus C DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Denys I Miakota
- Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - William Greenbank
- Centre for Industrial Electronics, Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, So̷nderborg DK-6400, Denmark
| | - Yunlin Jacques Zheng
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Michiel Top
- Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, Winterbergstrasse 28, Dresden 01277, Germany
| | - Thomas Ebel
- Centre for Industrial Electronics, Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, So̷nderborg DK-6400, Denmark
| | - Horst-Günter Rubahn
- University of Southern Denmark, SDU NanoSYD, Mads Clausen Institute, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
| | - Vida Turkovic
- Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), University of Southern Denmark, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Stela Canulescu
- Department of Electrical and Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Nadine Witkowski
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Morten Madsen
- Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), University of Southern Denmark, So̷nderborg 6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhu X, Yang L, Pan Y, Yang Y, Ding X, Wan C, Zhang Z, Luo Y, Zhou Q, Wang L, Xiao S. A Three-Dimensional Non-Fullerene Acceptor with Contorted Hexabenzocoronene and Perylenediimide for Organic Solar Cells. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202304167. [PMID: 38243781 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202304167] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Although fullerene derivatives such as [6,6]-phenyl-C61/C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM/PC71BM) have dominated the the photoactive acceptor materials in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs) for decades, they have several drawbacks such as weak absorption, limited structural tunability, prone to aggregation, and high costs of production. Constructing non-fullerene small molecules with three-dimensional (3D) molecular geometry is one of the strategies to replace fullerenes in OSCs. In this study, a 3D molecule, contorted hexa-cata-hexabenzocoronene tetra perylenediimide (HBC-4-PDI), was designed and synthesized. HBC-4-PDI shows a wide and strong light absorption in the whole UV-vis region as well as suitable energy levels as an acceptor for OSCs. More importantly, the 3D construction effectively reduced the self-aggregation of c-HBC, leading to an appropriate scale phase separation of the blend film morphology in OSCs. A preliminary power conversion efficiency of 2.70 % with a champion open-circuit voltage of 1.06 V was obtained in OSCs with HBC-4-PDI as the acceptor, which was the highest among the previously reported OSCs based on c-HBC derivatives. The results indicated that HBC-4-PDI may serve as a good non-fullerene acceptor for OSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhu
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Lei Yang
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Pan
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Yuqin Yang
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Xuming Ding
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Chuanming Wan
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Yun Luo
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Qinghai Zhou
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Wang
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| | - Shengxiong Xiao
- The Education Ministry Key Lab of Resource Chemistry, Joint International Research Laboratory of Resource Chemistry, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Non-carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lüer L, Wang R, Liu C, Dube H, Heumüller T, Hauch J, Brabec CJ. Maximizing Performance and Stability of Organic Solar Cells at Low Driving Force for Charge Separation. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2305948. [PMID: 38039433 PMCID: PMC10853714 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305948] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Thanks to the development of novel electron acceptor materials, the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are now approaching 20%. Further improvement of PCE is complicated by the need for a driving force to split strongly bound excitons into free charges, causing voltage losses. This review discusses recent approaches to finding efficient OPV systems with minimal driving force, combining near unity quantum efficiency (maximum short circuit currents) with optimal energy efficiency (maximum open circuit voltages). The authors discuss apparently contradicting results on the amount of exciton binding in recent literature, and approaches to harmonize the findings. A comprehensive view is then presented on motifs providing a driving force for charge separation, namely hybridization at the donor:acceptor interface and polarization effects in the bulk, of which quadrupole moments (electrostatics) play a leading role. Apart from controlling the energies of the involved states, these motifs also control the dynamics of recombination processes, which are essential to avoid voltage and fill factor losses. Importantly, all motifs are shown to depend on both molecular structure and process conditions. The resulting high dimensional search space advocates for high throughput (HT) workflows. The final part of the review presents recent HT studies finding consolidated structure-property relationships in OPV films and devices from various deposition methods, from research to industrial upscaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larry Lüer
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i‐MEET)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergMartensstrasse 791058ErlangenGermany
| | - Rong Wang
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i‐MEET)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergMartensstrasse 791058ErlangenGermany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT)Paul‐Gordan‐Straße 691052ErlangenGermany
| | - Chao Liu
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i‐MEET)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergMartensstrasse 791058ErlangenGermany
| | - Henry Dube
- Department Chemistry and PharmacyFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergNikolaus‐Fiebiger‐Straße 1091058ErlangenGermany
| | - Thomas Heumüller
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i‐MEET)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergMartensstrasse 791058ErlangenGermany
| | - Jens Hauch
- Helmholtz‐Institute Erlangen‐Nürnberg (HI‐ERN)Immerwahrstraße 291058ErlangenGermany
| | - Christoph J. Brabec
- Institute of Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i‐MEET)Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐NürnbergMartensstrasse 791058ErlangenGermany
- Helmholtz‐Institute Erlangen‐Nürnberg (HI‐ERN)Immerwahrstraße 291058ErlangenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu T, Zhang X, Zhang S, Zhang W, Song W. A Fused-Ring Electron Acceptor with Phthalimide-Based Ending Groups for Efficient Ternary Organic Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:4618-4627. [PMID: 38232233 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15503] [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: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The ternary strategy has been widely applied and recognized to be a valid strategy to enhance the organic photovoltaics' (OPVs) performance. Here, a new fused-ring electron acceptor, BTP-PIO, is designed and synthesized, whose ending groups were replaced by a phthalimide-based group (2-butylcyclopenta[f]isoindole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetraone) from traditional 2-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)malononitrile. The phthalimide-based ending groups endow BTP-PIO with the highest lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level and wider band gap than those of Y6. The ternary device based on PM6:Y6 with BTP-PIO as a guest electron acceptor achieved an elevated open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.848 V, a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 27.31 mA cm-2, and a fill factor (FF) of 73.9%, generating a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.10%, which is superior to the PM6:Y6 binary device of 16.08%. The ternary device exhibited improved charge transfer, suppressed carrier recombination, and lower energy loss. BTP-PIO exhibited a good miscibility with Y6, and an alloy phase between BTP-PIO and Y6 was formed in the ternary bulk heterojunction, leading to better phase separation and molecular packing. This research reveals that ending group modification of Y6 derivatives is a feasible way to produce highly efficient ternary devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Xu
- The School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Shengxiong Zhang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- College of New Energy, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Weijie Song
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Riera-Galindo S, Sanz-Lleó M, Gutiérrez-Fernández E, Ramos N, Mas-Torrent M, Martín J, López-Mir L, Campoy-Quiles M. High Polymer Molecular Weight Yields Solar Cells with Simultaneously Improved Performance and Thermal Stability. Small 2024:e2311735. [PMID: 38279561 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311735] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Simple synthetic routes, high active layer thickness tolerance as well as stable organic solar cells are relentlessly pursued as key enabling traits for the upscaling of organic photovoltaics. Here, the potential to address these issues by tuning donor polymer molecular weight is investigated. Specifically, the focus is on PTQ10, a polymer with low synthetic complexity, with number average molecular weights of 2.4, 6.2, 16.8, 52.9, and 54.4 kDa, in combination with three different non-fullerene acceptors, namely Y6, Y12, and IDIC. Molecular weight, indeed, unlocks a threefold increase in power conversion efficiency for these blends. Importantly, efficiencies above 10% for blade coated devices with thicknesses between 200 and 350 nm for blends incorporating high molecular weight donor are shown. Spectroscopic, GIWAXS and charge carrier mobility data suggest that the strong photocurrent improvement with molecular weight is related to both, improved electronic transport and polymer contribution to exciton generation. Moreover, it is demonstrated that solar cells based on high molecular weight PTQ10 are more thermally stable due to a higher glass transition temperature, thus also improving device stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Riera-Galindo
- Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona ICMAB-CSIC, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sanz-Lleó
- Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona ICMAB-CSIC, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
- Eurecat Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Unit of Printed Electronics & Embedded Devices, Av. d'Ernest Lluch 36, Mataró, 08302, Spain
| | - Edgar Gutiérrez-Fernández
- POLYMAT and Polymer Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Nicolás Ramos
- POLYMAT and Polymer Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
| | - Marta Mas-Torrent
- Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona ICMAB-CSIC, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaime Martín
- POLYMAT and Polymer Science and Technology Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastián, 20018, Spain
- Universidade da Coruña, Campus Industrial de Ferrol, CITENI, Esteiro, Ferrol, 15403, Spain
| | - Laura López-Mir
- Eurecat Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Unit of Printed Electronics & Embedded Devices, Av. d'Ernest Lluch 36, Mataró, 08302, Spain
| | - Mariano Campoy-Quiles
- Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona ICMAB-CSIC, Campus Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Teshima Y, Yamanaka K, Sato Y, Ohkita H, Mikie T, Saito M, Osaka I. Simple π-Conjugated Polymers Based on Bithiazole for Nonfullerene Organic Photovoltaics. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:3735-3743. [PMID: 38192099 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14494] [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: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Thiazole, as a family of five-membered heteroaromatic rings, is an interesting building unit that can play a role in coplanarizing the backbone as well as deepening the HOMO energy level, which is beneficial for the design of π-conjugated polymers for the photoactive materials in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Here, we designed and synthesized π-conjugated polymers with simple chemical structures, which consist of 2,2'-bithiazole or 5,5'-bithiazole and alkylthiophenes as the polymer backbone. In fact, the polymers can be easily synthesized in much fewer steps compared to the typical high-performance polymers based on fused heteroaromatic rings. Interestingly, PTN5 exhibited a markedly higher ordered structure than PTN2. This was likely ascribed to the more coplanar and rigid backbone of PTN5 than that of PTN2 originating in the effectively arranged S···N interaction. As a result, the nonfullerene photovoltaic cell based on PTN5 showed a PCE of 12.2%, which was much higher than the cell based on PTN2 (4.3%) and was high for the polymers consisting of only nonfused rings. These results demonstrate that thiazole-based polymers are promising photoactive materials for OPVs and emphasize the importance of careful molecular design utilizing noncovalent interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikazu Teshima
- Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Kodai Yamanaka
- Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Yuki Sato
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Hideo Ohkita
- Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Mikie
- Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Masahiko Saito
- Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Itaru Osaka
- Applied Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Park K, Kim JH, Jin JS, Moon H, Oh J, Lee S, Ki T, Jeong HS, Jeong S, Jang SY, Kang H, Lee K. Overcoming the Interfacial Photocatalytic Degradation of Nonfullerene Acceptor-Based Organic Photovoltaics by Introducing a UV-A-Insensitive Titanium Suboxide Layer. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:3778-3785. [PMID: 38268146 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15801] [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: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Although recent dramatic advances in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) have resulted in values over 19%, the poor photostability of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has been a serious bottleneck to their commercialization. The photocatalytic effect, which is caused by incident ultraviolet-A (UV-A, 320-400 nm) light in the most commonly used zinc oxide (ZnOX) electron transport layer (ETL), significantly deteriorates the photostability of OPVs. In this work, we develop a new and facile method to enhance the photostability of nonfullerene acceptor-based OPVs by introducing UV-A-insensitive titanium suboxide (TiOX) ETL. Through an in-depth analysis of mass information at the interface between the ETL and photoactive layer, we confirm that the UV-A-insensitive TiOX suppresses the photocatalytic effect. The resulting device employing the TiOX ETL shows excellent photostability, obtaining 80% of the initial PCE for up to 200 h under 1 sun illumination, which is 10 times longer than that of the conventional ZnOX system (19 h).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoung Park
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hyeon Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Sung Jin
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
| | - Heehun Moon
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhui Oh
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanseong Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyoon Ki
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Seok Jeong
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeong Jeong
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Young Jang
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongkyu Kang
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwanghee Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM) and Research Institute for Solar and Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yeop J, Park KH, Rasool S, Lee HM, Jeon S, Kim Y, Lee W, Kim S, Yang C, Lim B, Kim JY. Thickness Tolerance in Large-Area Organic Photovoltaics with Fluorine-Substituted Regioregular Conjugated Polymer. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:704-711. [PMID: 38148320 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14790] [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: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Large areas and simple processing methods are necessary for the commercialization of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, the efficiency drop due to the variation in thickness of OPVs limits their large-scale applications. Regioregular polymers with good crystallinity and packing properties that exhibit high charge mobility and extraction ability can help overcome these limitations. In this study, a regioregular polymer named PDBD-2FBT was synthesized. The crystallinity and packing properties of PDBD-2FBT were enhanced by a simple thermal treatment. Using PDBD-2FBT material as a donor and Y6-HU as an acceptor, we fabricated binary blend OPV devices. The devices with optimized active layer thickness achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.14%. A PCE of 13.18% was maintained even in thick-film conditions (400 nm), and thickness tolerance was observed. Based on the thickness tolerance, a 5-line module measuring 36 cm2 was fabricated via the bar-coating method, and a PCE of approximately 10% was achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiwoo Yeop
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Kwang Hun Park
- Center for Advanced Specialty Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44412, South Korea
| | - Shafket Rasool
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Hye Min Lee
- Center for Advanced Specialty Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44412, South Korea
| | - Seungju Jeon
- Center for Advanced Specialty Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44412, South Korea
| | - Yejin Kim
- Center for Advanced Specialty Chemicals, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44412, South Korea
| | - Woojin Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Seoyoung Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Changduk Yang
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Bogyu Lim
- Department of Engineering Chemistry, Chungbuk National University (CBNU), Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, South Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
- Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Theunissen D, Smeets S, Maes W. Single-component organic solar cells-Perspective on the importance of chemical precision in conjugated block copolymers. Front Chem 2023; 11:1326131. [PMID: 38694020 PMCID: PMC11061845 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1326131] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPV) present a promising thin-film solar cell technology with particular benefits in terms of weight, aesthetics, transparency, and cost. However, despite being studied intensively since the mid 90's, OPV has not entered the mass consumer market yet. Although the efficiency gap with other thin-film photovoltaics has largely been overcome, active layer stability and performance reproducibility issues have not been fully resolved. State-of-the-art OPV devices employ a physical mixture of electron donor and acceptor molecules in a bulk heterojunction active layer. These blends are prone to morphological changes, leading to performance losses over time. On the other hand, in "single-component" organic solar cells, the donor and acceptor constituents are chemically connected within a single material, preventing demixing and thereby enhancing device stability. Novel single-component materials affording reasonably high solar cell efficiencies and improved lifetimes have recently emerged. In particular, the combination of donor and acceptor structures in conjugated block copolymers (CBCs) presents an exciting approach. Nevertheless, the current CBCs are poorly defined from a structural point of view, while synthetic protocols remain unoptimized. More controlled synthesis followed by proper structural analysis of CBCs is, however, essential to develop rational structure-property-device relations and to drive the field forward. In this perspective, we provide a short overview of the state-of-the-art in single-component organic solar cells prepared from CBCs, reflect on their troublesome characterization and the importance of chemical precision in these structures, give some recommendations, and discuss the potential impact of these aspects on the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dries Theunissen
- Design and Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Associated Lab IMOMEC, IMEC, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Energyville, Genk, Belgium
| | - Sander Smeets
- Design and Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Associated Lab IMOMEC, IMEC, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Energyville, Genk, Belgium
| | - Wouter Maes
- Design and Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors, Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Associated Lab IMOMEC, IMEC, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Energyville, Genk, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ahmad M, Cruguel H, Ahmadpour M, Vannucchi N, Samie NM, Leuillet C, Generalov A, Li Z, Madsen M, Witkowski N. Uncovering the Electronic State Interplay at Metal Oxide Electron Transport Layer/Nonfullerene Acceptor Interfaces in Stable Organic Photovoltaic Devices. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:55065-55072. [PMID: 37972316 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c11103] [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: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of sputter-deposited TiOx as an electron transport layer in nonfullerene acceptor-based organic photovoltaics has been shown to significantly increase the long-term stability of devices compared to conventional solution-processed ZnO due to a decreased photocatalytic activity of the sputtered TiOx. In this work, we utilize synchrotron-based photoemission and absorption spectroscopies to investigate the interface between the electron transport layer, TiOx prepared by magnetron sputtering, and the nonfullerene acceptor, ITIC, prepared in situ by spray deposition to study the electronic state interplay and defect states at this interface. This is used to unveil the mechanisms behind the decreased photocatalytic activity of the sputter-deposited TiOx and thus also the increased stability of the organic solar cell devices. The results have been compared to similar measurements on anatase TiOx since anatase TiOx is known to have a strong photocatalytic activity. We show that the deposition of ITIC on top of the sputter-deposited TiOx results in an oxidation of Ti3+ species in the TiOx and leads to the emergence of a new O 1s peak that can be attributed to the oxygen in ITIC. In addition, increasing the thickness of ITIC on TiOx leads to a shift in the O 1s and C 1s core levels toward higher binding energies, which is consistent with electron transfer at the interface. Resonant photoemission at the Ti L-edge shows that oxygen vacancies in sputtered TiOx lie mostly in the surface region, which contrasts the anatase TiOx where an equal distribution between surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies is observed. Furthermore, it is shown that the subsurface oxygen vacancies in sputtered TiOx are strongly reduced after ITIC deposition, which can reduce the photocatalytic activity of the oxide, while the oxygen vacancies in model anatase TiOx are not affected upon ITIC deposition. This difference can explain the inferior photocatalytic activity of the sputter-deposited TiOx and thus also the increased stability of devices with sputter-deposited TiOx used as an electron transport layer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Ahmad
- SDU Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, So̷nderborg DK-6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Hervé Cruguel
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Mehrad Ahmadpour
- SDU Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, So̷nderborg DK-6400, Denmark
| | - Noemi Vannucchi
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
- Division of X-ray Photon Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, Uppsala 752 36,Sweden
| | - Nahed Mohammad Samie
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Céline Leuillet
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| | | | - Zheshen Li
- ISA, Centre for Storage Ring Facilities, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Bldg. 1520, Aarhus C DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Morten Madsen
- SDU Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Energy Devices (SDU CAPE), Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, So̷nderborg DK-6400, Denmark
- SDU Climate Cluster, University of Southern Denmark, Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Nadine Witkowski
- UMR CNRS 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris F-75005, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tan X, Jian J, Zheng X, Zhao J, Huang J. Improving Photovoltaic Performance of All-Polymer Solar Cells by Adding an Amorphous B←N Embedded Polymer as the Third Component. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300375. [PMID: 37579197 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300375] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Currently, most of the disclosed ternary strategies to improve photovoltaic performance of all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) commonly focus on the guest polymers having similar structures with the host polymer donors or acceptors. Herein, this work develops a distinctive ternary method that adding an amorphous B←N embedded polymer named BN-Cl-2fT to a crystallized host polymer blend of PM6 (a commercialized polymer donor) and PY-TT (a copolymer of Y6 and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene). Although the structures between BN-Cl-2fT and PM6 and PY-TT are completely different, excellent miscibility is found between BN-Cl-2fT and both of the host PM6 and PY-TT, which can be interpreted by the crowded phenyl groups anchoring along the backbone of BN-Cl-2fT, leading to weak self-aggregation. Glazing incidence wide-angle X-ray diffraction (GIWAXS) measurements explicitly confirm the crystallization of PM6 and PY-TT and amorphous feature of BN-Cl-2fT. Furthermore, adding 10 wt% BN-Cl-2fT to PM6:PY-TT can significantly enhance the crystallization of the host polymers. Thus the ternary devices based on PM6:PY-TT:BN-Cl-2fT afford promote short-circuit current density (JSC , 23.29 vs. 21.80 mA cm-2 ), fill factor (FF, 62.4% vs. 60.0%), and power conversion efficiency (PCE, 13.70% vs. 12.23%) in contrast to these parameters of binary devices based on PM6:PY-TT. This work provides a unique and enlightening avenue to design high performance all-PSCs by adding amorphous B←N embedded polymers as guest component to enhance host-crystallization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Tan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Junyang Jian
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Xueqiong Zheng
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Jinying Zhao
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Burgués‐Ceballos I, Pinyol‐Castillo P, López‐Porta A, Pascual E, Syrový T, Syrova L, Josefik F, Dhuiège B, Serrano I, Lacharmoise PD, López‐Mir L. Injection Molding Plastic Solar Cells. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2304720. [PMID: 37776058 PMCID: PMC10646225 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
While organic photovoltaics are accessing specific application sectors taking advantage of their unique properties, it is important to identify as many differentiators as possible to expand the market penetration and consolidation of this technology. In this work, for the first time, the large-scale fabrication of organic photovoltaic modules embedded into structural plastic parts through industrial injection molding is demonstrated. Thermoplastic polyurethane is chosen as the injected material to show that this additional processing step can yield flexible, lightweight photovoltaic modules with enhanced device robustness and virtually unchanged performance. The critical optomechanical and physico-chemical material properties, as well as the plastic processing parameters to enable in-mold plastic solar cells with improved performance and stability, are discussed and provided with perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignasi Burgués‐Ceballos
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaFunctional Printing and Embedded Devices UnitParc Científic TecnoCampusAv. Ernest Lluch 36Mataró08302Spain
| | - Paula Pinyol‐Castillo
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaFunctional Printing and Embedded Devices UnitParc Científic TecnoCampusAv. Ernest Lluch 36Mataró08302Spain
| | - Aina López‐Porta
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaPolymeric and Composites Processes UnitParc Tecnològic del VallèsAv. Universitat Autònoma, 23Cerdanyola del Vallès08290Spain
| | - Enric Pascual
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaPolymeric and Composites Processes UnitParc Tecnològic del VallèsAv. Universitat Autònoma, 23Cerdanyola del Vallès08290Spain
| | - Tomáš Syrový
- Faculty of Chemical TechnologyDepartment of Graphic Arts and PhotophysicsUniversity of PardubiceDoubravice 41Pardubice53353Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Syrova
- Faculty of Chemical TechnologyDepartment of Graphic Arts and PhotophysicsUniversity of PardubiceDoubravice 41Pardubice53353Czech Republic
| | | | | | - Irene Serrano
- AitiipEngineering DepartmentPolígono Industrial EmpresariumCalle Romero 12Zaragoza50720Spain
| | - Paul D. Lacharmoise
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaFunctional Printing and Embedded Devices UnitParc Científic TecnoCampusAv. Ernest Lluch 36Mataró08302Spain
| | - Laura López‐Mir
- EURECATTechnology Centre of CataloniaFunctional Printing and Embedded Devices UnitParc Científic TecnoCampusAv. Ernest Lluch 36Mataró08302Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Tang A, Cong P, Dai T, Wang Z, Zhou E. A 2 -A 1 -D-A 1 -A 2 -Type Nonfullerene Acceptors. Adv Mater 2023:e2300175. [PMID: 37907430 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300175] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The A2 -A1 -D-A1 -A2 -type molecules consist of one electron-donating (D) core flanked by two electron-accepting units (A1 and A2 ) and have emerged as an essential branch of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). These molecules generally possess higher molecular energy levels and wider optical bandgaps compared with those of the classic A-D-A- and A-DA'D-A-type NFAs, owing to the attenuated intramolecular charge transfer effect. These characteristics make them compelling choices for the fabrication of high-voltage organic photovoltaics (OPVs), ternary OPVs, and indoor OPVs. Herein, the recent progress in the A2 -A1 -D-A1 -A2 -type NFAs are reviewed, including the molecular engineering, structure-property relationships, voltage loss (Vloss ), device stability, and photovoltaic performance of binary, ternary, and indoor OPVs. Finally, the challenges and provided prospects are discussed for the further development of this type of NFAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailing Tang
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Peiqing Cong
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Tingting Dai
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Zongtao Wang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Erjun Zhou
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Das M, Kohlstädt M, Enders M, Burger S, Sasmal HS, Zimmermann B, Schäfer A, Tyler BJ, Arlinghaus HF, Krossing I, Würfel U, Glorius F. Surface Modification of ITO with N-Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors Results in Electron Selective Contacts in Organic Photovoltaic Devices. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301482. [PMID: 37488067 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301482] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Surface modification of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with organic molecules is known to tune their work function which results in higher charge carrier selectivity in corresponding organic electronic devices and hence influences the performance of organic solar cells. In recent years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have also been proven to be capable to modify the work function of metals and semimetals compared to the unfunctionalized surface via the formation of strong covalent bonds. In this report, we have designed and performed the modification of the ITO surface with NHC by using the zwitterionic bench stable IPr-CO2 as the NHC precursor, applied via spin coating. Upon modification, the work function of ITO electrodes was reduced significantly which resulted in electron selective contacts in corresponding organic photovoltaic devices. In addition, various characterization techniques and analytical methods are used to elucidate the nature of the bound species and the corresponding binding mechanism of the material to the ITO surface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mowpriya Das
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Kohlstädt
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Heidenhofstraße 2, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria Enders
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Heidenhofstraße 2, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Burger
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Himadri Sekhar Sasmal
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Birger Zimmermann
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Heidenhofstraße 2, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäfer
- NanoAnalytics GmbH, Heisenbergstraße 40, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Bonnie J Tyler
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Heinrich F Arlinghaus
- Physikalisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Straße 10, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Ingo Krossing
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Uli Würfel
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE, Heidenhofstraße 2, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum FMF, Stefan-Meier-Straße 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Frank Glorius
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149, Münster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wolfe KM, Alam S, German E, Alduayji FN, Alqurashi M, Laquai F, Welch GC. A series of perylene diimide cathode interlayer materials for green solvent processing in conventional organic photovoltaics. Beilstein J Org Chem 2023; 19:1620-1629. [PMID: 37915562 PMCID: PMC10616706 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.19.119] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report on the design, synthesis, physical and chemical properties, and organic photovoltaic (OPV) device performance of four new cathode interlayer (CIL) materials based on bay N-annulated perylene diimides. Starting from the previously reported N-annulated perylene diimide (PDIN-H), the N-position was functionalized with a benzyl and pentafluorobenzyl group to make PDIN-B and PDIN-FB, respectively. Similarly, starting from the previously reported cyanated N-annulated perylene diimide (CN-PDIN-H), the N-position was functionalized with a benzyl and pentafluorobenzyl group to make CN-PDIN-B and CN-PDIN-FB, respectively. The materials exhibit solubility in the green solvent, ethyl acetate, and thus were processed into thin films using ethyl acetate as the solvent. The optoelectronic properties were assessed for both solution and film, and the electrochemical properties were probed in solution. To validate the potential as electron transporting layers, each film was used in conventional OPVs as the CIL with processing from ethyl acetate, while using a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) comprised of PM6:Y6. High power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 13% were achieved compared to control devices using the standard PFN-Br CIL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Wolfe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Shahidul Alam
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Material Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eva German
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Fahad N Alduayji
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Material Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Alqurashi
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Material Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Frédéric Laquai
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Material Science and Engineering Program (MSE), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gregory C Welch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Schlemmer B, Sauermoser A, Holler S, Zuccalà E, Ehmann B, Reinfelds M, Fischer RC, Amenitsch H, Marin‐Beloqui JM, Ludvíková L, Slanina T, Haas M, Rath T, Trimmel G. Silicon- and Germanium-Functionalized Perylene Diimides: Synthesis, Optoelectronic Properties, and Their Application as Non-fullerene Acceptors in Organic Solar Cells. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301337. [PMID: 37419861 PMCID: PMC10946824 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301337] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells have been continuously studied and developed through the last decades. A major step in their development was the introduction of fused-ring non-fullerene electron acceptors. Yet, beside their high efficiency, they suffer from complex synthesis and stability issues. Perylene-based non-fullerene acceptors, in contrast, can be prepared in only a few steps and display good photochemical and thermal stability. Herein, we introduce four monomeric perylene diimide acceptors obtained in a three-step synthesis. In these molecules, the semimetals silicon and germanium were added in the bay position, on one or both sides of the molecules, resulting in asymmetric and symmetric compounds with a red-shifted absorption compared to unsubstituted perylene diimide. Introducing two germanium atoms improved the crystallinity and charge carrier mobility in the blend with the conjugated polymer PM6. In addition, charge carrier separation is significantly influenced by the high crystallinity of this blend, as shown by transient absorption spectroscopy. As a result, the solar cells reached a power conversion efficiency of 5.38 %, which is one of the highest efficiencies of monomeric perylene diimide-based solar cells recorded to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Schlemmer
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Aileen Sauermoser
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Sarah Holler
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Elena Zuccalà
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Birgit Ehmann
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Matiss Reinfelds
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Roland C. Fischer
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Heinz Amenitsch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Jose M. Marin‐Beloqui
- Department of Physical ChemistryUniversity of MálagaBlvrd Louis Pasteur 3129010MálagaSpain
| | - Lucie Ludvíková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry andBiochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo nám. 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute of Organic Chemistry andBiochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo nám. 216610Prague 6Czech Republic
| | - Michael Haas
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Thomas Rath
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| | - Gregor Trimmel
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, NAWI GrazGraz University of TechnologyStremayrgasse 98010GrazAustria
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zappia S, Alloisio M, Valdivia JC, Arias E, Moggio I, Scavia G, Destri S. Silver Nanoparticle-PEDOT:PSS Composites as Water-Processable Anodes: Correlation between the Synthetic Parameters and the Optical/Morphological Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3675. [PMID: 37765528 PMCID: PMC10536234 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183675] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphological, spectroscopic and rheological properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized in situ within commercial PEDOT:PSS formulations, labeled PP@NPs, were systematically investigated by varying different synthetic parameters (NaBH4/AgNO3 molar ratio, PEDOT:PSS formulation and silver and PEDOT:PSS concentration in the reaction medium), revealing that only the reagent ratio affected the properties of the resulting nanoparticles. Combining the results obtained from the field-emission scanning electron microscopy analysis and UV-Vis characterization, it could be assumed that PP@NPs' stabilization occurs by means of PSS chains, preferably outside of the PEDOT:PSS domains with low silver content. Conversely, with high silver content, the particles also formed in PEDOT-rich domains with the consequent perturbation of the polaron absorption features of the conjugated polymer. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the films deposited on glass from the particle-containing PEDOT:PSS suspensions. The film with an optimized morphology, obtained from the suspension sample characterized by the lowest silver and NaBH4 content, was used to fabricate a very initial prototype of a water-processable anode in a solar cell prepared with an active layer constituted by the benchmark blend poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PC60BM) and a low-temperature, not-evaporated cathode (Field's metal).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zappia
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Alloisio
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale (DCCI), Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Julio Cesar Valdivia
- Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Boulevard Enrique Reyna 140, Saltillo 25294, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Arias
- Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Boulevard Enrique Reyna 140, Saltillo 25294, Mexico
| | - Ivana Moggio
- Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada (CIQA), Boulevard Enrique Reyna 140, Saltillo 25294, Mexico
| | - Guido Scavia
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Destri
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Alfonso Corti 12, 20133 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Spooner ELK, Cassella EJ, Smith JA, Catley TE, Burholt S, Lidzey DG. Air-Knife-Assisted Spray Coating of Organic Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:39625-39635. [PMID: 37428479 PMCID: PMC10450690 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c05306] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs) have risen dramatically since the introduction of the "Y-series" of non-fullerene acceptors. However, the demonstration of rapid scalable deposition techniques to deposit such systems is rare. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the deposition of a Y-series-based system using ultrasonic spray coating─a technique with the potential for significantly faster deposition speeds than most traditional meniscus-based methods. Through the use of an air-knife to rapidly remove the casting solvent, we can overcome film reticulation, allowing the drying dynamics to be controlled without the use of solvent additives, heating the substrate, or heating the casting solution. The air-knife also facilitates the use of a non-halogenated, low-toxicity solvent, resulting in industrially relevant, spray-coated PM6:DTY6 devices with PCEs of up to 14.1%. We also highlight the obstacles for scalable coating of Y-series-based solar cells, in particular the influence of slower drying times on blend morphology and crystallinity. This work demonstrates the compatibility of ultrasonic spray coating, and use of an air-knife, with high-speed, roll-to-roll OSC manufacturing techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. K. Spooner
- Department
of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PY, United Kingdom
| | - Elena J. Cassella
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, United
Kingdom
| | - Joel A. Smith
- Department
of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E. Catley
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, United
Kingdom
| | - Sam Burholt
- Diamond
Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - David G. Lidzey
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, United
Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kang Y, Yoon JW, Lee SW, Ahn H, Yun S, Lim J, Lee J, Chang DW, Choi H, Kim BG. Manipulation and Direct Characterization of Polymer/Small-Molecule Interface Morphology in Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cell. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023. [PMID: 37287192 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c05767] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the effect of miscibility between conjugated polymers (CPs) and Y6 on bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) type morphology, we propose three different CPs with similar chemical structures but different miscibility with Y6. After selectively removing Y6 from the CP/Y6 blend films, their interface morphology and interlocked dimensions are quantitatively compared using a square-wave model. As CP-Y6 miscibility increases, a higher intermixed interface is formed, providing an enlarged CP-Y6 interface area. Conversely, as the miscibility between CP and Y6 decreases, the height and width of the interlocked dimensions formed by phase separation gradually decrease and increase, respectively. Additionally, when the CP-Y6 interface morphology and electrical properties of the corresponding organic photovoltaic (OPV) device are correlated, as the highly intermixed CP-Y6 interface develops, the exciton dissociation efficiency increases owing to the reduced exciton diffusion length to be dissociated, but the bimolecular recombination tends to deteriorate simultaneously. Furthermore, if the miscibility between CP and Y6 is excessive, the formation of a charge transport pathway through phase separation is interrupted, deteriorating the charge transport capability in BHJ-type OPVs. However, it was confirmed that introducing F atoms into the conjugated backbone of CP can reduce the bimolecular recombination, providing ameliorated light-harvesting efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeongkwon Kang
- Department of Organic and Nano System Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Won Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Science and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Woo Lee
- Department of Industrial Chemistry and CECS Research Institute, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungju Ahn
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, POSTECH, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Siwon Yun
- Graduate School of Energy Science & Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongchul Lim
- Graduate School of Energy Science & Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Science and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Chang
- Department of Industrial Chemistry and CECS Research Institute, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyosung Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Science and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Gi Kim
- Department of Organic and Nano System Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Camero DM, Grinalds NJ, Kornman CT, Barba S, Li L, Weldeab AO, Castellano RK, Xue J. Thin-Film Morphology and Optical Properties of Photoisomerizable Donor-Acceptor Oligothiophenes. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:25134-25147. [PMID: 35766151 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
It was recently reported that the most popular electron-accepting units introduced to π-conjugated oligomers studied for organic photovoltaic applications are susceptible to unwanted and even destructive photochemical reactions. The consequences of Z/E photoisomerization of the popular 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)rhodanine (RCN) unit on the optical and morphological properties of a homologous series of RCN-functionalized oligothiophenes are studied here. Oligomers consisting of one, two, or three thiophene units were studied as pure Z isomers and with E isomer compositions of 25, 53, and 45%, respectively, for Z/E mixtures. Solutions of Z isomers and Z/E mixtures were characterized by UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy, wherein changes to optical properties were evaluated on the basis of E isomer content. X-ray diffraction of thin-film Z/E mixtures reveals crystalline domains of both Z and E forms after thermal annealing for mono- and bithiophene oligomers, with greater interplanar spacing for E crystalline domains than the Z counterparts along the substrate normal direction. The surface morphology viewed by atomic force microscopy also shows fiberlike structures for the E form with a much larger aspect ratio than for the Z domains in the bithiophene oligomer. Optical characterization reveals drastic changes in the solid state upon introduction of the E form for the mono- and bithiophene derivatives, whereas subtle consequences are noted for the terthiophene analogue. Most notably, a 132 nm redshift in maximum absorption occurs for the bithiophene oligomer films containing 53% E isomer compared to the pure Z counterpart. Finally, although solid-state photoisomerization experiments find no evidence of Z → E isomerization in polycrystalline Z films, E → Z isomerization is observed and becomes more restrictive in films with higher crystallinity (i.e., after thermal annealing). This structure-property study, which elucidates the consequences of the RCN configuration on solid-state packing and optical properties, is expected to guide the development of more efficient and stable organic optoelectronic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Camero
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Nathan J Grinalds
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Cory T Kornman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Stefano Barba
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET), Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Asmerom O Weldeab
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Ronald K Castellano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Jiangeng Xue
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mohapatra AA, Pranav M, Yadav S, Gangadharappa C, Wu J, Labanti C, Wolansky J, Benduhn J, Kim JS, Durrant J, Patil S. Interface Engineering in Perylene Diimide-Based Organic Photovoltaics with Enhanced Photovoltage. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023. [PMID: 37191283 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02003] [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: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of nonfullerene acceptors (NFA) facilitated the realization of high-efficiency organic solar cells (OSCs); however, OSCs suffer from relatively large losses in open-circuit voltage (VOC) as compared to inorganic or perovskite solar cells. Further enhancement in power conversion efficiency requires an increase in VOC. In this work, we take advantage of the high dipole moment of twisted perylene-diimide (TPDI) as a nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) to enhance the VOC of OSCs. In multiple bulk heterojunction solar cells incorporating TPDI with three polymer donors (PTB7-Th, PM6 and PBDB-T), we observed a VOC enhancement by modifying the cathode with a polyethylenimine (PEIE) interlayer. We show that the dipolar interaction between the TPDI NFA and PEIE─enhanced by the general tendency of TPDI to form J-aggregates─plays a crucial role in reducing nonradiative voltage losses under a constant radiative limit of VOC. This is aided by comparative studies with PM6:Y6 bulk heterojunction solar cells. We hypothesize that incorporating NFAs with significant dipole moments is a feasible approach to improving the VOC of OSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Manasi Pranav
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Suraj Yadav
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | - Jiaying Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Labanti
- Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Wolansky
- Dresden Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials (IAPP) and Institute of 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 of Applied Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nöthnitzer Str. 61, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ji-Seon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - James Durrant
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Processable Electronics, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
- SPECIFIC IKC, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Bay Campus, Swansea, Wales SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Satish Patil
- Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bellchambers P, Henderson C, Abrahamczyk S, Choi S, Lee JK, Hatton RA. High Performance Transparent Silver Grid Electrodes for Organic Photovoltaics Fabricated by Selective Metal Condensation. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2300166. [PMID: 36912419 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300166] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Silver grid electrodes on glass and flexible plastic substrates with performance that exceeds that of commercial indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass are reported and show their suitability as a drop-in replacement for ITO glass in solution-processed organic photovoltaics (OPVs). When supported on flexible plastic substrates these electrodes are stable toward repeated bending through a small radius of curvature over tens of thousands of cycles. The grid electrodes are fabricated by the unconventional approach of condensation coefficient modulation using a perfluorinated polymer shown to be far superior to the other compounds used for this purpose to date. The very narrow line width and small grid pitch that can be achieved also open the door to the possibility of using grid electrodes in OPVs without a conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) layer to span the gaps between grid lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Charlie Henderson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Seungsoo Choi
- Program in Environment and Polymer Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea
| | - Jin-Kyun Lee
- Program in Environment and Polymer Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea
| | - Ross A Hatton
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Wang J, Sun L, Xiong S, Du B, Yokota T, Fukuda K, Someya T. Flexible Solution-Processed Electron-Transport-Layer-Free Organic Photovoltaics for Indoor Application. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:21314-21323. [PMID: 37084756 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01779] [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: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have unique advantages of low weight, mechanical flexibility, and solution processability, which make them exceptionally suitable for integrating low-power Internet of Things devices. However, achieving improved operational stability together with solution processes that are applicable to large-scale fabrication remains challenging. Their major limitation arises due to the instable factors that occur both inside the thick active film and from the ambient environment, which cannot be completely resolved via the current encapsulation techniques used for flexible OPVs. Additionally, thin active layers are highly vulnerable to point defects, which result in low yield rates and impede the laboratory-to-industry translation. In this study, flexible fully solution-processed OPVs with improved indoor efficiency and long-term operational stability than that of conventional OPVs with evaporated electrodes are achieved. Benefiting from the oxygen and water vapor permeation barrier of the spontaneously formed gallium oxide layers on the exposed eutectic gallium-indium surface, fast degradation of the OPVs with thick active layers is prevented, maintaining 93% of its initial Pmax after 5000 min of indoor operation under 1000 lx light-emitting diode (LED) illumination. Additionally, by using the thick active layer, spin-coated silver nanowires could be directly used as bottom electrodes without complicated flattening processes, thereby substantially simplifying the fabrication process and proposing a promising manufacturing technique for devices with high-throughput energy demands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Wang
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Information Systems, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Lulu Sun
- Thin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Sixing Xiong
- Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Baocai Du
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Information Systems, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Yokota
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Information Systems, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Fukuda
- Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Thin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takao Someya
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Information Systems, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- Thin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Qin J, Wu N, Chen W, Liu B, Wang Z, Zhang L, Yin N, Chen Q, Zhang ZB, Ma CQ. In Situ Solution-Processed Submicron Thick SiO x C y /a-SiN x (O):H Composite Barrier Film for Polymer:Non-Fullerene Photovoltaics. Small Methods 2023:e2300224. [PMID: 37029583 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300224] [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] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Aiming to improve the environmental stability of organic photovoltaics, a multilayered SiOx Cy /a-SiNx (O):H composite barrier film coated with a hydrophobic perfluoro copolymer stop layer for polymer:non-fullerene solar cells is developed. The composite film is prepared by spin-coating of polysilicone and perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) following a densification process by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation in an inert atmosphere. The transformation of polysilicone and PHPS to SiOx Cy and a-SiNx (O):H is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurement. However, the as-prepared PHPS-derived silicon nitride (PDSN) can react with moisture in the ambient atmosphere, yielding microscale defects and a consequent poor barrier performance. Treating the incomplete PDSN with methanol vapor significantly densifies the film yielding low water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs)of 5.0 × 10-1 and 2.0 × 10-1 g m-2 d-1 for the one- and three-couple of SiOx Cy /a-SiNx (O):H (CON) composite films, respectively. By incorporating a thin hydrophobic perfluoro copolymer layer, the three-coupled methanol-treated CON film with a total thickness of 600 nm shows an extremely low WVTR of 8.7 × 10-4 g m-2 d-1 . No performance decay is measured for the PM6:Y6 and PM6:L8-BO cells after such an encapsulation process. These encapsulated polymer cells show good stability storaged at 25 °C/50% relative humidity, or under simulated extreme rainstorm tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qin
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Na Wu
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Wei Chen
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Bowen Liu
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Zhenguo Wang
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Lianping Zhang
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Ni Yin
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Zong-Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on High-tech Polymer Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Chang-Qi Ma
- School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
- i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- Printable Electronics Research Center & i-Lab, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Riley DB, Sandberg OJ, Zarrabi N, Kim YR, Meredith P, Armin A. Efficient Nanoscale Exciton Transport in Non-Fullerene Organic Solar Cells Enables Reduced Bimolecular Recombination of Free Charges. Adv Mater 2023:e2211174. [PMID: 36922698 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211174] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The highest-efficiency organic photovoltaic (OPV)-based solar cells, made from blends of electron-donating and electron-accepting organic semiconductors, are often characterized by strongly reduced (non-Langevin) bimolecular recombination. Although the origins of the reduced recombination are debated, mechanisms related to the charge-transfer (CT) state and free-carrier encounter dynamics controlled by the size of donor and acceptor domains are proposed as underlying factors. Here, a novel photoluminescence-based probe is reported to accurately quantify the donor-acceptor domain size in OPV blends. Specifically, the domain size is measured in high-efficiency non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) systems and a comparative conventional fullerene system. It is found that the NFA-based blends form larger domains but that the expected reductions in bimolecular recombination attributed to the enhanced domain sizes are too small to account for the observed reduction factors. Further, it is shown that the reduction of bimolecular recombination is correlated to enhanced exciton dynamics within the NFA domains. This indicates that the processes responsible for efficient exciton transport also enable strongly non-Langevin recombination in high-efficiency NFA-based solar cells with low-energy offsets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Drew B Riley
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Oskar J Sandberg
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Nasim Zarrabi
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Yong Ryun Kim
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Paul Meredith
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Ardalan Armin
- Sustainable Advanced Materials (Sêr-SAM), Department of Physics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Alam KM, Garcia JC, Kiriakou MV, Chaulagain N, Vrushabendrakumar D, Cranston ED, Gusarov S, Kobryn AE, Shankar K. Enhanced luminescence sensing performance and increased intrachain order in blended films of P3HT and cellulose nanocrystals. Nanotechnology 2023; 34:205703. [PMID: 36787629 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/acbbd1] [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] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Blended films comprising poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA)-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), exhibited more intense photoluminescence (PL) and longer PL emission lifetimes compared to pristine P3HT films. Optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra indicated reduced torsional disorder i.e. enhanced backbone planarity in the P3HT@CNC blended composites compared to the bare P3HT. Such molecule-level geometrical modification resulted in both smaller interchain and higher intrachain exciton bandwidth in the blended composites compared to the bare P3HT, because of reduced interchain interactions and enhanced intrachain order. These results indicate a potential switch of the aggregation behavior from dominant H-aggregates to J-aggregates, supported by Raman spectroscopy. The reorganization of micromolecular structure and concomitant macroscopic aggregation of the conjugated polymer chains resulted in a longer conjugation length for the P3HT@CNC blended composites compared to the bare P3HT. Additionally, this nanoscale morphological change produced a reduction in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap of the blends, evidenced from optical absorption spectra. Classical molecular dynamics simulation studies predicted the probability of enhanced planarity in the polymer backbone following interactions with CNC surfaces. Theoretical results from density functional theory calculations corroborate the experimentally observed reduction of optical bandgap in the blends compared to bare P3HT. The blended composite outperformed the bare P3HT in nitro-group PL sensing tests with a pronounced difference in the reaction kinetics. While the PL quenching dynamics for bare P3HT followed Stern-Volmer kinetics, the P3HT@CNC blended composite exhibited a drastic deviation from the same. This work shows the potential of a functionalized rod-like biopolymer in tuning the optoelectronic properties of a technologically important polymeric organic semiconductor through control of the nanoscale morphology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazi M Alam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - John C Garcia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Michael V Kiriakou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Narendra Chaulagain
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Damini Vrushabendrakumar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Emily D Cranston
- Departments of Wood Science and Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Sergey Gusarov
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Alexander E Kobryn
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Karthik Shankar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Uvarov MN, Kobeleva ES, Degtyarenko KM, Zinovyev VA, Popov AA, Mostovich EA, Kulik LV. Fast Recombination of Charge-Transfer State in Organic Photovoltaic Composite of P3HT and Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes Is the Reason for Its Poor Photovoltaic Performance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044098. [PMID: 36835508 PMCID: PMC9961616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044098] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the photovoltaic performance of the composite of poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) with semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNT) is promising, the short-circuit current density jSC is much lower than that for typical polymer/fullerene composites. Out-of-phase electron spin echo (ESE) technique with laser excitation of the P3HT/s-SWCNT composite was used to clarify the origin of the poor photogeneration of free charges. The appearance of out-of-phase ESE signal is a solid proof that the charge-transfer state of P3HT+/s-SWCNT- is formed upon photoexcitation and the electron spins of P3HT+ and s-SWCNT- are correlated. No out-of-phase ESE signal was detected in the same experiment with pristine P3HT film. The out-of-phase ESE envelope modulation trace for P3HT/s-SWCNT composite was close to that for the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic composite PCDTBT/PC70BM, which implies a similar distance of initial charge separation in the range 2-4 nm. However, out-of-phase ESE signal decay with delay after laser flash increase for P3HT/s-SWCNT composite was much faster, with a characteristic time of 10 µs at 30 K. This points to the higher geminate recombination rate for the P3HT/s-SWCNT composite, which may be one of the reasons for the relatively poor photovoltaic performance of this system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail N. Uvarov
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena S. Kobeleva
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir A. Zinovyev
- Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander A. Popov
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics of the Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Evgeny A. Mostovich
- Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics of the Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Leonid V. Kulik
- Voevodsky Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Nakao N, Saito M, Mikie T, Ishikawa T, Jeon J, Kim HD, Ohkita H, Saeki A, Osaka I. Halogen-Free π $\upi$ -Conjugated Polymers Based on Thienobenzobisthiazole for Efficient Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells: Rational Design for Achieving High Backbone Order and High Solubility. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2205682. [PMID: 36529702 PMCID: PMC9929271 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In π $\upi$ -conjugated polymers, a highly ordered backbone structure and solubility are always in a trade-off relationship that must be overcome to realize highly efficient and solution-processable organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Here, it is shown that a π $\upi$ -conjugated polymer based on a novel thiazole-fused ring, thieno[2',3':5,6]benzo[1,2-d:4,3-d']bisthiazole (TBTz) achieves both high backbone order and high solubility due to the structural feature of TBTz such as the noncovalent interlocking of the thiazole moiety, the rigid and bent-shaped structure, and the fused alkylthiophene ring. Furthermore, based on the electron-deficient nature of these thiazole-fused rings, the polymer exhibits deep HOMO energy levels, which lead to high open-circuit voltages (VOC s) in OPV cells, even without halogen substituents that are commonly introduced into high-performance polymers. As a result, when the polymer is combined with a typical nonfullerene acceptor Y6, power conversion efficiencies of reaching 16% and VOC s of more than 0.84 V are observed, both of which are among the top values reported so far for "halogen-free" polymers. This study will serve as an important reference for designing π $\upi$ -conjugated polymers to achieve highly efficient and solution-processable OPVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Nakao
- Applied Chemistry ProgramGraduate School of Advanced Science and EngineeringHiroshima University1‐4‐1 KagamiyamaHigashi‐HiroshimaHiroshima739‐8527Japan
| | - Masahiko Saito
- Applied Chemistry ProgramGraduate School of Advanced Science and EngineeringHiroshima University1‐4‐1 KagamiyamaHigashi‐HiroshimaHiroshima739‐8527Japan
| | - Tsubasa Mikie
- Applied Chemistry ProgramGraduate School of Advanced Science and EngineeringHiroshima University1‐4‐1 KagamiyamaHigashi‐HiroshimaHiroshima739‐8527Japan
| | - Takumi Ishikawa
- Department of Polymer ChemistryGraduate School of EngineeringKyoto UniversityKyoto615‐8510Japan
| | - Jihun Jeon
- Department of Polymer ChemistryGraduate School of EngineeringKyoto UniversityKyoto615‐8510Japan
| | - Hyung Do Kim
- Department of Polymer ChemistryGraduate School of EngineeringKyoto UniversityKyoto615‐8510Japan
| | - Hideo Ohkita
- Department of Polymer ChemistryGraduate School of EngineeringKyoto UniversityKyoto615‐8510Japan
| | - Akinori Saeki
- Department of Applied ChemistryGraduate School of EngineeringOsaka University2‐1 YamadaokaSuitaOsaka565‐0871Japan
| | - Itaru Osaka
- Applied Chemistry ProgramGraduate School of Advanced Science and EngineeringHiroshima University1‐4‐1 KagamiyamaHigashi‐HiroshimaHiroshima739‐8527Japan
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Fall S, Wang J, Regrettier T, Brouckaert N, Ibraikulov OA, Leclerc N, Lin Y, Elhaj MI, Komitov L, Lévêque P, Zhong Y, Brinkmann M, Kaczmarek M, Heiser T. Self-Powered Dynamic Glazing Based on Nematic Liquid Crystals and Organic Photovoltaic Layers for Smart Window Applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:4267-4274. [PMID: 36630212 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c21727] [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: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic windows allow monitoring of in-door solar radiation and thus improve user comfort and energy efficiency in buildings and vehicles. Existing technologies are, however, hampered by limitations in switching speed, energy efficiency, user control, or production costs. Here, we introduce a new concept for self-powered switchable glazing that combines a nematic liquid crystal, as an electro-optic active layer, with an organic photovoltaic material. The latter aligns the liquid crystal molecules and generates, under illumination, an electric field that changes the molecular orientation and thereby the device transmittance in the visible and near-infrared region. Small-area devices can be switched from clear to dark in hundreds of milliseconds without an external power supply. The drop in transmittance can be adjusted using a variable resistor and is shown to be reversible and stable for more than 5 h. First solution-processed large-area (15 cm2) devices are presented, and prospects for smart window applications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadiara Fall
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| | - Jing Wang
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| | - Thomas Regrettier
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
- Voltec Solar, 1 Rue des Prés, Dinsheim-sur-Bruche 67190, France
| | - Nicolas Brouckaert
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
- University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K
| | - Olzhas A Ibraikulov
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| | - Nicolas Leclerc
- Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 25, Rue Becquerel, Strasbourg Cedex 67085, France
| | - Yaochen Lin
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| | | | - Lachezar Komitov
- HighVistec GmbH, Benkenstrasse 254C, Witterswil CH 4108, Switzerland
- Dept. of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41296, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560029, India
| | - Patrick Lévêque
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| | - Yuhan Zhong
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
- Institut Charles Sadron, CNRS-UPR 22, 23 Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67034, France
| | - Martin Brinkmann
- Institut Charles Sadron, CNRS-UPR 22, 23 Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67034, France
| | | | - Thomas Heiser
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Ingénieur, de l'Informatique et de l'Imagerie (ICube Research Institute), Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 23, Rue du Loess, Strasbourg Cedex 2 67037, France
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Peng C, Ling Z, Qu M, Cao C, Chen G, Shi W, Wei B. Enhanced Performance of Flexible Organic Photovoltaics Based on MoS 2 Micro-Nano Array. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020813. [PMID: 36677870 PMCID: PMC9861846 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020813] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we investigated the influence of MoS2 functioning as an electron transport layer (ETL) on the inverted flexible organic photovoltaics (FOPVs). Three ETLs, including MoS2, lithium quinolate (Liq), and a MoS2/Liq bilayer, were evaporated onto ITO-integrated polyethylene terephthalate substrates (PET-ITO), and the properties of transmittance, water contact angle, and reflectivity of the films were analyzed. The results revealed that MoS2 was helpful to improve the lipophilicity of the surface of the ETL, which was conducive to the deposition of the active layer. In addition, the reflectivity of MoS2 to the light ranging from 400 to 600 nm was the largest among the pristine PET-ITO substrate and the PET-ITO coated with three ETLs, which promoted the efficient use of the light. The efficiency of the FOPV with MoS2/Liq ETL was 73% higher than that of the pristine device. This was attributed to the nearly two-fold amplification of the MoS2 array to the light field, which promoted the FOPV to absorb more light. Moreover, the efficiency of the FOPV with MoS2 was maintained under different illumination angles and bending angles. The results demonstrate the promising applications of MoS2 in the fabrication of FOPVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyun Peng
- School of Microelectronics and Control Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Zhitian Ling
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Minghao Qu
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Application, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Chenhui Cao
- Anhui Sholon New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Chuzhou 239500, China
| | - Guo Chen
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Application, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wei Shi
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Application, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Bin Wei
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Display and System Application, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (B.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Socol M, Preda N, Breazu C, Petre G, Stanculescu A, Stavarache I, Popescu-Pelin G, Stochioiu A, Socol G, Iftimie S, Thanner C, Rasoga O. Effects of Solvent Additive and Micro-Patterned Substrate on the Properties of Thin Films Based on P3HT:PC70BM Blends Deposited by MAPLE. Materials (Basel) 2022; 16:144. [PMID: 36614483 PMCID: PMC9821753 DOI: 10.3390/ma16010144] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Lately, there is a growing interest in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells due to the organic materials' properties and compatibility with various types of substrates. However, their efficiencies are low relative to the silicon ones; therefore, other ways (i.e., electrode micron/nanostructuring, synthesis of new organic materials, use of additives) to improve their performances are still being sought. In this context, we studied the behavior of the common organic bulk heterojunction (P3HT:PC70BM) deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) with/without 0.3% of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) additive on flat and micro-patterned ITO substrates. The obtained results showed that in the MAPLE process, a small quantity of additive can modify the morphology of the organic films and decrease their roughness. Besides the use of the additive, the micro-patterning of the electrode leads to a greater increase in the absorption of the studied photovoltaic structures. The inferred values of the filling factors for the measured cells in ambient conditions range from 19% for the photovoltaic structures with no additive and without substrate patterning to 27% for the counterpart structures with patterning and a small quantity of additive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Socol
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Preda
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Carmen Breazu
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Gabriela Petre
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Anca Stanculescu
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Ionel Stavarache
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Gianina Popescu-Pelin
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Andrei Stochioiu
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Gabriel Socol
- National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Sorina Iftimie
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Christine Thanner
- EVGroup, DI Erich Thallner Strasse 1, 4782 St. Florian am Inn, Austria
| | - Oana Rasoga
- National Institute of Materials Physics, 405A Atomistilor Street, 077125 Magurele, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhang X, Feng L, Zhang K, Liu SY. Carbazole and Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based D-A π-Conjugated Oligomers Accessed via Direct C-H Arylation for Opto-Electronic Property and Performance Study. Molecules 2022; 27. [PMID: 36558164 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27249031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Five carbazole and diketopyrrolopyrrole-based donor-acceptor (D-A) new π-conjugated oligomers (π-COs) with gradually elongated lengths are facilely synthesized via a single pot of direct C-H arylation with merits of atom- and step-economy. The structure-property-performance correlations of these π-COs and their parent polymer are studied in detail by opto-electronic characterizations and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. It is found that the π-COs having longer lengths enable better performance in OPVs owing to the enhanced intermolecular interaction with the elongation of the conjugations. The above results not only highlight the powerful synthetic strategy here provided, but also reveal that π-COs with unique properties might find promising application in OPVs.
Collapse
|
42
|
Kapnopoulos C, Zachariadis A, Mekeridis E, Kassavetis S, Gravalidis C, Laskarakis A, Logothetidis S. On-the-Fly Short-Pulse R2R Laser Patterning Processes for the Manufacturing of Fully Printed Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics. Materials (Basel) 2022; 15:8218. [PMID: 36431703 PMCID: PMC9692794 DOI: 10.3390/ma15228218] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ultrafast laser patterning is an essential technology for the low-cost and large area production of flexible Organic Electronic (OE) devices, such as Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs). In order to unleash the potential of ultrafast laser processing to perform the selective and high precision removal of complex multilayers from printed OPV stacks without affecting the underlying nanolayers, it is necessary to optimize its parameters for each nanolayer combination. In this work, we developed an efficient on-the-fly picosecond (ps) laser scribing process (P1, P2 and P3) using single wavelength and single step/pass for the precise and reliable in-line patterning of Roll-to-Roll (R2R) slot-die-coated nanolayers. We have investigated the effect of the key process parameters (pulse energy and overlap) on the patterning quality to obtain high selectivity on the ablation of each individual nanolayer. Finally, we present the implementation of the ultrafast laser patterning process in the manufacturing of fully R2R printed flexible semitransparent OPV modules with a 3.4% power conversion efficiency and 91% Geometric Fill Factor (GFF).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Kapnopoulos
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Zachariadis
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Mekeridis
- Organic Electronic Technologies (OET), 20 km Thessaloniki-Tagarades Road, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Spyros Kassavetis
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christoforos Gravalidis
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Argiris Laskarakis
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stergios Logothetidis
- Lab for Thin Films—Nanobiomaterials—Nanosystems & Nanometrology (LTFN), Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Organic Electronic Technologies (OET), 20 km Thessaloniki-Tagarades Road, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Han S, Jung H, Jung HJ, Hwang BK, Park IP, Kim SZ, Yun DH, Yoon SY, Heo SW. Optical Manipulation of Incident Light for Enhanced Photon Absorption in Ultrathin Organic Photovoltaics. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2022; 12:3996. [PMID: 36432282 PMCID: PMC9696273 DOI: 10.3390/nano12223996] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We attempted to improve the photon absorption of the photoactive layer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices by device engineering without changing their thickness. Soft nanoimprinting lithography was used to introduce a 1D grating pattern into the photoactive layer. The increase in photocurrent caused by the propagating surface plasmon-polariton mode was quantitatively analyzed by measuring the external quantum efficiency in transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes. In addition, the introduction of an ultrathin substrate with a refractive index of 1.34 improved photon absorption by overcoming the mismatched optical impedance at the air/substrate interface. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of an ultrathin OPV with a 400 nm grating period was 8.34%, which was 11.6% higher than that of an unpatterned ultrathin OPV, and the PCE was 3.2 times higher at a low incident light angle of 80°, indicating very low incident light angle dependence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seungyeon Han
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Hyunsung Jung
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - Hyeon Jin Jung
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - Bu Kyeong Hwang
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - In Pyo Park
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - Su Zi Kim
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| | - Dea-Hee Yun
- Resetcompany Co., Ltd., Dallaenae-ro, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13449, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Seog-Young Yoon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Soo Won Heo
- Nano Convergence Materials Center, Emerging Materials R&D Division, Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology (KICET), 101 Soho-ro, Jinju-si 52851, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Liirò-Peluso L, Wrigley J, Amabilino DB, Beton PH. Submolecular Resolution Imaging of P3HT:PCBM Nanostructured Films by Atomic Force Microscopy: Implications for Organic Solar Cells. ACS Appl Nano Mater 2022; 5:13794-13804. [PMID: 36338328 PMCID: PMC9623582 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.2c01399] [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] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The efficiency of organic bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells depends greatly on both the bulk and surface structure of the nanostructured bicontinuous interpenetrating network of materials, known as the active layer. The morphology of the top layer of a coated film is often resolved at the scale of a few nanometers, but fine details of the domains and the order within them are more difficult to identify. Here, we report a high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation of various stoichiometries of the well-studied poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) active layer mixture. Images of the surface were obtained using AC-mode AFM exciting higher-order resonance frequencies of a standard silicon probe, a promising technique for acquiring real-space images of organic-based thin films with nanoscale and even submolecular resolution. We provide firm evidence of the nanoscale organization of the P3HT polymer and of the P3HT:PCBM stoichiometric mixtures at the surface-air interface of the BHJ architecture. Our study shows the characteristic periodicity of the regioregular P3HT identified in the nanoscale domain areas with submolecular resolution. Such areas are then distorted in place when adding different quantities of PCBM forming stoichiometric mixtures. When the samples were exposed to ambient light, the morphologies were very different, and submolecular resolution was not achieved. This approach is shown to provide a precise view of the active layer's nanostructure and will be useful for studies of other materials as a function of various parameters, with particular attention to the role of the acceptor in tuning morphology for understanding optimum performance in organic photovoltaic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Liirò-Peluso
- The
GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, School
of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, U.K.
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Nottingham, University
Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - James Wrigley
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Nottingham, University
Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - David B. Amabilino
- The
GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, School
of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham NG7 2TU, U.K.
- Institut
de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas, Carrer dels Til.lers, Campus Universitari de Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Peter H. Beton
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Nottingham, University
Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mariñas V, Platzer B, Labella J, Caroleo F, Nardis S, Paolesse R, Guldi DM, Torres T. Controlling Electronic Events Through Rational Structural Design in Subphthalocyanine-Corrole Dyads: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photophysical Properties. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201552. [PMID: 35862831 PMCID: PMC9804354 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201552] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Porphyrinoids are considered perfect candidates for their incorporation into electron donor-acceptor (D-A) arrays due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties and low reorganization energies. For the first time, a series of subphthalocyanine (SubPc) and corrole (Cor) were covalently connected through a short-range linkage. SubPc axial substitution strategies were employed, which allowed the synthesis of the target molecules in decent yields. In this context, a qualitative synthetic approach was performed to reverse the expected direction of the different electronic events. Consequently, in-depth absorption, fluorescence, and electrochemical assays enabled the study of electronic and photophysical properties. Charge separation was observed in cases of electron-donating Cors, whereas a quantitative energy transfer from the Cor to the SubPc was detected in the case of electron accepting Cors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Mariñas
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly,Department of Organic ChemistryUniversidad Autónoma de MadridCampus de CantoblancoC/ Francisco Tomás y Valiente 728049MadridSpain
| | - Benedikt Platzer
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyInterdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM)Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Jorge Labella
- Department of Organic ChemistryUniversidad Autónoma de MadridCampus de CantoblancoC/ Francisco Tomás y Valiente 728049MadridSpain
| | - Fabrizio Caroleo
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Sara Nardis
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Roberto Paolesse
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Dirk M. Guldi
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyInterdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM)Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Tomás Torres
- Department of Organic ChemistryUniversidad Autónoma de MadridCampus de CantoblancoC/ Francisco Tomás y Valiente 728049MadridSpain,IMDEA – NanocienciaC/ Faraday 9, Campus de Cantoblanco28049MadridSpain,Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Sciences (IAdChem)Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ronsin OJJ, Harting J. Formation of Crystalline Bulk Heterojunctions in Organic Solar Cells: Insights from Phase-Field Simulations. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:49785-49800. [PMID: 36282868 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c14319] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The performance of organic solar cells strongly depends on the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) morphology of the photoactive layer. This BHJ forms during the drying of the wet-deposited solution, because of physical processes such as crystallization and/or liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, the process-structure relationship remains insufficiently understood. In this work, a recently developed, coupled phase-field-fluid mechanics framework is used to simulate the BHJ formation upon drying. For the first time, this allows to investigate the interplay between all the relevant physical processes (evaporation, crystal nucleation and growth, liquid demixing, composition-dependent kinetic properties), within a single coherent theoretical framework. Simulations for the model system P3HT-PCBM are presented. The comparison with previously reported in situ characterization of the drying structure is very convincing: The morphology formation pathways, crystallization kinetics, and final morphology are in line with experimental results. The final BHJ morphology is a subtle mixture of pure crystalline donor and acceptor phases, pure and mixed amorphous domains, which depends on the process parameters and material properties. The expected benefit of such an approach is to identify physical design rules for ink formulation and processing conditions to optimize the cell's performance. It could be applied to recent organic material systems in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier J J Ronsin
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Fürther Straße 248, 90429Nürnberg, Germany
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fürther Straße 248, 90429Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Jens Harting
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Fürther Straße 248, 90429Nürnberg, Germany
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fürther Straße 248, 90429Nürnberg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fürther Straße 248, 90429Nürnberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Diacon A, Krupka O, Hudhomme P. Fullerene-Perylenediimide (C 60-PDI) Based Systems: An Overview and Synthesis of a Versatile Platform for Their Anchor Engineering. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196522. [PMID: 36235059 PMCID: PMC9571100 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196522] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An overview of the different covalent bonding synthetic strategies of two electron acceptors leading to fullerene-perylenediimide (C60-PDI)-based systems, essentially dyads and triads, is presented, as well as their more important applications. To go further in the development of such electron and photoactive assemblies, an original aromatic platform 5-benzyloxy-3-formylbenzoic acid was synthesized to graft both the PDI dye and the fullerene C60. This new C60-PDI dyad exhibits a free anchoring phenolic function that could be used to attach a third electro- and photoactive unit to study cascade electron and/or energy transfer processes or to obtain unprecedented side-chain polymers in which the C60-PDI dyads are attached as pendant moieties onto the main polymer chain. This C60-PDI dyad was fully characterized, and cyclic voltammetry showed the concomitant reduction process onto both C60 and PDI moieties at identical potential. A quasi-quantitative quenching of fluorescence was demonstrated in this C60-PDI dyad, and an intramolecular energy transfer was suggested between these two units. After deprotection of the benzyloxy group, the free hydroxyl functional group of the platform was used as an anchor to reach a new side-chain methyl methacrylate-based polymer in which the PDI-C60 dyad units are located as pendants of the main polymer chain. Such polymer which associates two complementary acceptors could find interesting applications in optoelectronics and in particular in organic solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurel Diacon
- Univ. Angers, CNRS, MOLTECH-Anjou, SFR MATRIX, F-49000 Angers, France
- Department of Bioresources and Polymer Science, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 1-7 Gh. Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Oksana Krupka
- Univ. Angers, CNRS, MOLTECH-Anjou, SFR MATRIX, F-49000 Angers, France
- Department of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, 60 Volodymyrska, 01033 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Piétrick Hudhomme
- Univ. Angers, CNRS, MOLTECH-Anjou, SFR MATRIX, F-49000 Angers, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-2-4173-5094
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Farahat ME, Anderson MA, Martell M, Ratcliff EL, Welch GC. New Perylene Diimide Ink for Interlayer Formation in Air-Processed Conventional Organic Photovoltaic Devices. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:43558-43567. [PMID: 36099398 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12281] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Roll-to-roll coating of conventional organic photovoltaic architectures in air necessitates low work function, electron-harvesting interlayers as the top interface, termed cathode interlayers. Traditional materials based on metal oxides are often not compatible with coating in air and/or green solvents, require thermal annealing, and are limited in feasibility due to interactions with underlying layers. Alternatively, perylene diimide materials offer easily tunable redox properties, are amenable to air coating in green solvents, and are considered champion organic-based cathode interlayers. However, underlying mechanisms of the extraction of photogenerated electrons are less well understood. Herein, we demonstrate the utilization of two N-annulated perylene diimide materials, namely, PDIN-H and CN-PDIN-H, in air-processed conventional organic photovoltaic devices, using the now standard PM6:Y6 photoactive layer. The processing ink formulation using cesium carbonate as a processing agent to solubilize the perylene diimides in suitable green solvents (1-propanol and ethyl acetate) for uniform film formation using spin or slot-die coating on top of the photoactive layer is critical. Cesium carbonate remains in the film, creating hybrid organic/metal salt cathode interlayers. Best organic photovoltaic devices have power conversion efficiencies of 13.2% with a spin-coated interlayer and 13.1% with a slot-die-coated interlayer, superior to control devices using the classic conjugated polyelectrolyte PFN-Br as an interlayer (ca. 12.8%). The cathode interlayers were found to be semi-insulating in nature, and the device performance improvements were attributed to beneficial interfacial effects and electron tunneling through sufficiently thin layers. The efficiencies beyond 13% achieved in air-processed organic photovoltaic devices utilizing slot-die-coated cathode interlayers are among the highest reported so far, opening new opportunities for the fabrication of large-area solar cell modules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud E Farahat
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Michael A Anderson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Mark Martell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Erin L Ratcliff
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Arizona, 1306 E. University Way, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, The University of Arizona, 1133 E. James E Rogers Way, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Gregory C Welch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Cardone A, Capodilupo AL. Functional Organic Materials for Photovoltaics: The Synthesis as a Tool for Managing Properties for Solid State Applications. Materials (Basel) 2022; 15:6333. [PMID: 36143645 PMCID: PMC9501031 DOI: 10.3390/ma15186333] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The continuous increase in the global energy demand deeply impacts the environment. Consequently, the research is moving towards more sustainable forms of energy production, storage and saving. Suitable technologies and materials are fundamental to win the challenge towards a greener and more eco-friendly society. Organic π-conjugated materials, including small molecules, oligomers and polymers are a wide and versatile class of functional materials with great potentiality, as they can be used as active matrixes in the fabrication of lightweight, flexible, cheap and large area devices. Their chemical and physical properties, both at a molecular level and mainly in the solid state, are a result of many factors, strictly related to the conjugated structure and functional groups on the backbone, which control the intermolecular forces driving solid state aggregations. The synthesis, through the molecular design, the choice of conjugated backbone and functionalization, represents the first and most powerful tool for finely tuning the chemico-physical properties of organic materials tailored for specific applications. In the present review, we report an overview of our works focused on synthetic methodologies, characterization, structure-properties correlation studies and applications of organic materials designed for energy-involving solid-state applications, organic photovoltaics in particular. The impact of functionalization on electro-optical properties and performance in device are discussed, also in relation to the specific applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cardone
- Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds, Italian National Council of Research, CNR, Via Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Agostina Lina Capodilupo
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Italian National Council of Research, CNR, Campus Ecotekne, Via Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bertrandie J, Han J, De Castro CSP, Yengel E, Gorenflot J, Anthopoulos T, Laquai F, Sharma A, Baran D. The Energy Level Conundrum of Organic Semiconductors in Solar Cells. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2202575. [PMID: 35789000 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The frontier molecular energy levels of organic semiconductors are decisive for their fundamental function and efficiency in optoelectronics. However, the precise determination of these energy levels and their variation when using different techniques makes it hard to compare and establish design rules. In this work, the energy levels of 33 organic semiconductors via cyclic voltammetry (CV), density functional theory, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and low-energy inverse photoelectron spectroscopy are determined. Solar cells are fabricated to obtain key device parameters and relate them to the significant differences in the energy levels and offsets obtained from different methods. In contrast to CV, the photovoltaic gap measured using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) correlates well with the experimental device VOC . It is demonstrated that high-performing systems such as PM6:Y6 and WF3F:Y6, which are previously reported to have negligible ionization energy (IE) offsets (ΔIE), possess sizable ΔIE of ≈0.5 eV, determined by PES. Using various D-A blends, it is demonstrated that ΔIE plays a key role in charge generation. In contrast to earlier reports, it is shown that a vanishing ΔIE is detrimental to device performance. Overall, these findings establish a solid base for reliably evaluating material energetics and interpreting property-performance relationships in organic solar cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jules Bertrandie
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jianhua Han
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Catherine S P De Castro
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Emre Yengel
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Julien Gorenflot
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Anthopoulos
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Frederic Laquai
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Anirudh Sharma
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Derya Baran
- Material Science and Engineering Program, Physical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- KAUST Solar Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|