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Bellani S, Bartolotta A, Agresti A, Calogero G, Grancini G, Di Carlo A, Kymakis E, Bonaccorso F. Solution-processed two-dimensional materials for next-generation photovoltaics. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:11870-11965. [PMID: 34494631 PMCID: PMC8559907 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00106j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the ever-increasing energy demand scenario, the development of novel photovoltaic (PV) technologies is considered to be one of the key solutions to fulfil the energy request. In this context, graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials (GRMs), including nonlayered 2D materials and 2D perovskites, as well as their hybrid systems, are emerging as promising candidates to drive innovation in PV technologies. The mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties of GRMs can be exploited in different active components of solar cells to design next-generation devices. These components include front (transparent) and back conductive electrodes, charge transporting layers, and interconnecting/recombination layers, as well as photoactive layers. The production and processing of GRMs in the liquid phase, coupled with the ability to "on-demand" tune their optoelectronic properties exploiting wet-chemical functionalization, enable their effective integration in advanced PV devices through scalable, reliable, and inexpensive printing/coating processes. Herein, we review the progresses in the use of solution-processed 2D materials in organic solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells, quantum dot solar cells, and organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells, as well as in tandem systems. We first provide a brief introduction on the properties of 2D materials and their production methods by solution-processing routes. Then, we discuss the functionality of 2D materials for electrodes, photoactive layer components/additives, charge transporting layers, and interconnecting layers through figures of merit, which allow the performance of solar cells to be determined and compared with the state-of-the-art values. We finally outline the roadmap for the further exploitation of solution-processed 2D materials to boost the performance of PV devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Bellani
- BeDimensional S.p.A., Via Lungotorrente Secca 30R, 16163 Genova, Italy.
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Graphene Labs, via Moreogo 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Antonino Bartolotta
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Via F. Stagno D'alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Agresti
- CHOSE - Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calogero
- CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Via F. Stagno D'alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Grancini
- University of Pavia and INSTM, Via Taramelli 16, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Aldo Di Carlo
- CHOSE - Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
- L.A.S.E. - Laboratory for Advanced Solar Energy, National University of Science and Technology "MISiS", 119049 Leninskiy Prosect 6, Moscow, Russia
| | - Emmanuel Kymakis
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Francesco Bonaccorso
- BeDimensional S.p.A., Via Lungotorrente Secca 30R, 16163 Genova, Italy.
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Graphene Labs, via Moreogo 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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Zidan MN, Everitt N, Ismail T, Fahim IS. Organic Solar Cells Parameters Extraction and Characterization Techniques. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13193224. [PMID: 34641041 PMCID: PMC8512755 DOI: 10.3390/polym13193224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic research is continuing in order to improve the efficiency and stability of the products. Organic devices have recently demonstrated excellent efficiency, bringing them closer to the market. Understanding the relationship between the microscopic parameters of the device and the conditions under which it is prepared and operated is essential for improving performance at the device level. This review paper emphasizes the importance of the parameter extraction stage for organic solar cell investigations by offering various device models and extraction methodologies. In order to link qualitative experimental measurements to quantitative microscopic device parameters with a minimum number of experimental setups, parameter extraction is a valuable step. The number of experimental setups directly impacts the pace and cost of development. Several experimental and material processing procedures, including the use of additives, annealing, and polymer chain engineering, are discussed in terms of their impact on the parameters of organic solar cells. Various analytical, numerical, hybrid, and optimization methods were introduced for parameter extraction based on single, multiple diodes and drift-diffusion models. Their validity for organic devices was tested by extracting the parameters of some available devices from the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud N. Zidan
- Smart Engineering Systems Research Center (SESC), Industrial Engineering Department, Nile University, Giza 12677, Egypt;
| | - Nicola Everitt
- Department of Mechanical, Faculty of Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG72RD, UK;
| | - Tawfik Ismail
- National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt;
- Wireless Intelligent Networks Center (WINC), Nile University, Giza 12677, Egypt
| | - Irene S. Fahim
- Smart Engineering Systems Research Center (SESC), Industrial Engineering Department, Nile University, Giza 12677, Egypt;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +20-1-001-822-221
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Park JJ, Heo YJ, Yun JM, Kim Y, Yoon SC, Lee SH, Kim DY. Orthogonal Printable Reduced Graphene Oxide 2D Materials as Hole Transport Layers for High-Performance Inverted Polymer Solar Cells: Sheet Size Effect on Photovoltaic Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:42811-42820. [PMID: 32799529 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Creating an orthogonal printable hole-transporting layer (HTL) without damaging the underlying layer is still a major challenge in fabricating large-area printed inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs). In this study, we prepared orthogonal-processable fluorine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (FrGO) series with various two-dimensional sheet sizes such as large-sized FrGO (1.1 μm), medium-sized FrGO (0.7 μm), and small-sized FrGO (0.3 μm) and systematically investigated the size effect of FrGOs on the hole transport properties of PSCs. The FrGOs exhibit highly stable dispersion without change over 90 days in 2-propanol solvent, indicating very high dispersion stability. Decreasing the sheet size of FrGOs enhanced hole-transporting properties, resulting in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 9.27 and 9.02% for PTB7-Th:EH-IDTBR- and PTB7-Th:PC71BM-based PSCs, respectively. Compared to devices with solution-processed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), a 14% enhancement of PCEs was achieved. Interestingly, the PCEs of devices with the smallest FrGO sheet are higher than the PCE of 8.77% of a device with vacuum-deposited MoO3. The enhancement in the performance of PSCs is attributed to the enhanced charge collection efficiency, decreased leakage current, internal resistance, and minimized charge recombination. Finally, small-sized FrGO HTLs were successfully coated on the photoactive layer using the spray coating method, and they also exhibited PCEs of 9.22 and 13.26% for PTB7-Th:EH-IDTBR- and PM6:Y6-based inverted PSCs, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Jin Park
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Jung Heo
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Sustainable Manufacturing Systems, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Cheonan 31056, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Mun Yun
- Radiation Utilization and Facilities Management Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Jeongeup 562121, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunseul Kim
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Cheol Yoon
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hoon Lee
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yu Kim
- Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), School of Materials Science and Engineering (SMSE), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
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