1
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Sowa JK, Allen TC, Rossky PJ. Accumulation and ordering of P3HT oligomers at the liquid-vapor interface with implications for thin-film morphology. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:20808-20816. [PMID: 37493614 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02718j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The morphology of semiconducting polymer thin films is known to have a profound effect on their opto-electronic properties. Although considerable efforts have been made to control and understand the processes which influence the structures of these systems, it remains largely unclear what physical factors determine the arrangement of polymer chains in spin-cast films. Here, we investigate the role that the liquid-vapor interfaces in chlorobenzene solutions of poly(3-hexylthiophene) [P3HT] play in the conformational geometries adopted by the polymers. Using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD), and supported by toy-model simulations, we demonstrate that, with increasing concentration, P3HT oligomers in solution exhibit a strong propensity for the liquid-vapor interface. Due to the differential solubility of the backbone and side chains of the oligomers, in the vicinity of this interface, hexyl chains and the thiophene rings, have a clear orientational preference with respect to the liquid surface. At high concentrations, we additionally establish a substantial degree of inter-oligomer alignment and thiophene ring stacking near the interface. Our results broadly concur with the limited existing experimental evidence and we suggest that the interfacial structure can act as a template for film structure. We argue that the differences in solvent affinity of the side chain and backbone moieties are the driving force for the anisotropic orientations of the polymers near the interface. This finer grained description contrasts with the usual monolithic characterization of polymer units. Since this phenomenon can be controlled by concurrent chemical design and the choice of solvents, this work establishes a fabrication principle which may be useful to develop more highly functional polymer films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub K Sowa
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Thomas C Allen
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
| | - Peter J Rossky
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
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2
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Kumar M, Kumar S, Velaga S, Mishra K, Singh A. Freezing of rotation of P3HT crystallites by PCBM molecules during thermal relaxation of the blend thin films. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
| | - Srihari Velaga
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai 400085 India
| | - Kuldeep Mishra
- Department of Physics and Materials Science Jaypee University Anoopshahr Bulandshahr 203390 India
| | - Amarjeet Singh
- Department of Physics Himachal Pradesh University Summer Hill Shimla 171005 India
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3
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Gaspar H, Figueira F, Pereira L, Mendes A, Viana JC, Bernardo G. Recent Developments in the Optimization of the Bulk Heterojunction Morphology of Polymer: Fullerene Solar Cells. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 11:E2560. [PMID: 30558380 PMCID: PMC6316550 DOI: 10.3390/ma11122560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, made with semiconducting polymers, have recently attained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 14% in single junction cells and over 17% in tandem cells. These high performances, together with the suitability of the technology to inexpensive large-scale manufacture, over lightweight and flexible plastic substrates using roll-to-roll (R2R) processing, place the technology amongst the most promising for future harvesting of solar energy. Although OPVs using non-fullerene acceptors have recently outperformed their fullerene-based counterparts, the research in the development of new fullerenes and in the improvement of the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) morphology and device efficiency of polymer:fullerene solar cells remains very active. In this review article, the most relevant research works performed over the last 3 years, that is, since the year 2016 onwards, in the field of fullerene-based polymer solar cells based on the copolymers PTB7, PTB7-Th (also known as PBDTTT-EFT) and PffBT4T-2OD, are presented and discussed. This review is primarily focused on studies that involve the improvement of the BHJ morphology, efficiency and stability of small active area devices (typically < 15 mm²), through the use of different processing strategies such as the use of different fullerene acceptors, different processing solvents and additives and different thermal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Gaspar
- IPC/i3N-Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Flávio Figueira
- QOPNA, Departament of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Luiz Pereira
- Department of Physics and i3N-Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Adélio Mendes
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Júlio C Viana
- IPC/i3N-Institute for Polymers and Composites, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Gabriel Bernardo
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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4
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Bai Y, Yang B, Chen X, Wang F, Hayat T, Alsaedi A, Tan Z. Constructing Desired Vertical Component Distribution Within a PBDB-T:ITIC-M Photoactive Layer via Fine-Tuning the Surface Free Energy of a Titanium Chelate Cathode Buffer Layer. Front Chem 2018; 6:292. [PMID: 30177964 PMCID: PMC6109755 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationally controlling the vertical component distribution within a photoactive layer is crucial for efficient polymer solar cells (PSCs). Herein, fine-tuning the surface free energy (SFE) of the titanium(IV) oxide bis(2,4-pentanedionate) (TOPD) cathode buffer layer is proposed to achieve a desired perpendicular component distribution for the PBDB-T:ITIC-M photoactive layer. The Owens-Wendt method is adopted to precisely calculate the SFE of TOPD film jointly based on the water contact angle and the diiodomethane contact angle. We find that the SFE of TOPD film increases as the annealing temperature rises, and the subtle SFE change causes the profound vertical component distribution within the bulk region of PBDB-T:ITIC-M. The results of secondary-ion mass spectroscopy visibly demonstrate that the TOPD film with an SFE of 48.71 mJ/cm2, which is very close to that of the ITIC film (43.98 mJ/cm2), tends to form desired vertical component distribution. Consequently, compared with conventional bulk heterojunction devices, the power conversion efficiency increases from 9.00 to 10.20% benefiting from the short circuit current density increase from 14.76 to 16.88 mA/cm2. Our findings confirm that the SFE adjustment is an effective way of constructing the desired vertical component distribution and therefore achieving high-efficiency PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Safety and Clean Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Fuzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Safety and Clean Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
| | - Tasawar Hayat
- Department of Mathematics, Quiad-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- NAAM Research Group, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alsaedi
- NAAM Research Group, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhan'ao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Safety and Clean Utilization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China
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5
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Yan Y, Liu X, Wang T. Conjugated-Polymer Blends for Organic Photovoltaics: Rational Control of Vertical Stratification for High Performance. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1601674. [PMID: 28195372 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201601674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The photoactive layer of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells, in a thickness range of tens to hundreds of nanometers, comprises phase-separated electron donors and acceptors after solution casting. The component distribution in the cross-section of these thin films is found to be heterogeneous, with electron donors or acceptors accumulated or depleted near the electrode interfaces. This vertical stratification of the photovoltaic blend influences device metrics through its impact on charge transport and recombination, and consequently plays an important role in determining the power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Here, different techniques, e.g., surface analysis and sputter-assisted depth-profiling, reflectivity modeling, and 3D imaging, that have been employed to characterize vertical stratification in bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic blends are reviewed. The origins of vertical stratification are summarized, including thermodynamics, kinetics, surface free energy, and selective dissolubility. The impact of correct and wrong vertical stratification to device metrics of solar cells are highlighted. Examples are then given to demonstrate how desired vertical stratification can be controlled with properly aligned device architecture to enable solar cells with high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
- International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
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6
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Groves C. Simulating charge transport in organic semiconductors and devices: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2017; 80:026502. [PMID: 27991440 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/80/2/026502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Charge transport simulation can be a valuable tool to better understand, optimise and design organic transistors (OTFTs), photovoltaics (OPVs), and light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). This review presents an overview of common charge transport and device models; namely drift-diffusion, master equation, mesoscale kinetic Monte Carlo and quantum chemical Monte Carlo, and a discussion of the relative merits of each. This is followed by a review of the application of these models as applied to charge transport in organic semiconductors and devices, highlighting in particular the insights made possible by modelling. The review concludes with an outlook for charge transport modelling in organic electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Groves
- Durham University, School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
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7
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Meng B, Xie Z, Liu J, Wang L. A Bromo-Functionalized Conjugated Polymer as a Cross-Linkable Anode Interlayer of Polymer Solar Cells. Chem Asian J 2016; 11:1218-22. [PMID: 26650517 DOI: 10.1002/asia.201501199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A cross-linkable conjugated polymer with bromo groups on the side chain has been developed and used as an anode interlayer to improve the active layer morphology and consequently enhance the device performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). The polymer, PCDTBT-Br, has cross-linkable bromo groups attached to the side chain of a widely-used donor polymer, poly[N-9-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4,7-di-2-thienyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT). The pendant bromo groups do not significantly change the LUMO/HOMO energy levels and absorption spectrum of the PCDTBT polymer backbone. PDCTBT-Br can crosslink under UV irradiation to give a robust film, which enables multilayer PSC device fabrication. Moreover, the much lower surface energy of PCDTBT-Br (20.4 mJ m(-2) ) compared to PEDOT PSS (91.6 mJ m(-2) ) is beneficial for achieving optimal active layer morphology. As a result, with PCDTBT:[6,6]-phenyl-C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71 BM) as the active layer, the PSC device with PCDTBT-Br as the underlying layer shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.59 %, in comparison to a PCE of 5.86 % of the control device. The device performance enhancement is ascribed to the much improved phase separation with a fibrillar nanostructure in the active layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China.
| | - Lixiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China.
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8
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Huang W, Gann E, Cheng YB, McNeill CR. In-Depth Understanding of the Morphology-Performance Relationship in Polymer Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:14026-14034. [PMID: 26020455 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b03095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
It is well-established that thermal annealing optimizes the morphology and improves the efficiency of P3HT-based organic solar cells, but the effects of different cooling rates after annealing are not well understood. In this paper, we use a model system based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to examine the relationship between morphology and device performance for annealing before (preannealing) and after (postannealing) the application of the electrode, with different cooling rates and in different device architectures. In the conventional structure, postannealing is confirmed to significantly enhance efficiency. The device prepared with a slow cooling rate (3.6%) shows a higher average power conversion efficiency than that prepared with a fast cooling rate (3.3%). The microstructural changes underlying this 10% increase in device performance and further effects of cooling rate, pre- and postannealing, and device architecture are comprehensively examined with a combination of synchrotron-based techniques, including grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The best device in the conventional architecture (postannealed with slow cooling rate) shows a more face-on orientation and narrower orientational distribution of P3HT crystallites. In addition, postannealing leads to PCBM diffusion toward the blend/top electrode interface. The enrichment of PCBM at the blend/top electrode interface plays a positive role in aiding electron collection at the electrode in the conventional structure, but it has a negative effect on the performance of the inverted structure, where hole collection at the top electrode instead is required. For this reason, in an inverted structure, preannealed films with slow cooling exhibit the best photovoltaic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Huang
- †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Eliot Gann
- †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
- ‡Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Yi-Bing Cheng
- †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Christopher R McNeill
- †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
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9
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Zhong J, Zhang H, Sun X, Lee ST. Synchrotron soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of carbon and silicon nanostructures for energy applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:7786-806. [PMID: 25204894 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2013] [Revised: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Carbon and silicon materials are two of the most important materials involved in the history of the science and technology development. In the last two decades, C and Si nanoscale materials, e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, and silicon nanowires, and quantum dots, have also emerged as the most interesting nanomaterials in nanoscience and nanotechnology for their myriad promising applications such as for electronics, sensors, biotechnology, etc. In particular, carbon and silicon nanostructures are being utilized in energy-related applications such as catalysis, batteries, solar cells, etc., with significant advances. Understanding of the nature of surface and electronic structures of nanostructures plays a key role in the development and improvement of energy conversion and storage nanosystems. Synchrotron soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and related techniques, such as X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), show unique capability in revealing the surface and electronic structures of C and Si nanomaterials. In this review, XAS is demonstrated as a powerful technique for probing chemical bonding, the electronic structure, and the surface chemistry of carbon and silicon nanomaterials, which can greatly enhance the fundamental understanding and also applicability of these nanomaterials in energy applications. The focus is on the unique advantages of XAS as a complementary tool to conventional microscopy and spectroscopy for effectively providing chemical and structural information about carbon and silicon nanostructures. The employment of XAS for in situ, real-time study of property evolution of C and Si nanostructures to elucidate the mechanisms in energy conversion or storage processes is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhong
- Soochow University-Western University Centre for Synchrotron Radiation Research, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
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10
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Mangolini F, McClimon JB, Rose F, Carpick RW. Accounting for Nanometer-Thick Adventitious Carbon Contamination in X-ray Absorption Spectra of Carbon-Based Materials. Anal Chem 2014; 86:12258-65. [DOI: 10.1021/ac503409c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Mangolini
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - J. Brandon McClimon
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Franck Rose
- HGST, a Western Digital Company, San
Jose, California 95135, United States
| | - Robert W. Carpick
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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11
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Guo S, Ruderer MA, Rawolle M, Körstgens V, Birkenstock C, Perlich J, Müller-Buschbaum P. Evolution of lateral structures during the functional stack build-up of P3HT:PCBM-based bulk heterojunction solar cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:8581-8590. [PMID: 23942383 DOI: 10.1021/am402045p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells from 1,2-dichlorobenzene solution processed regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT): phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are prepared and investigated at different steps of the multilayer stack build-up of the device. The inner structure is probed from the molecular to the mesoscale with grazing incidence small/wide-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS/GIWAXS) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR). The surface morphology is detected with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of the three-dimensional morphology of the bulk heterojunction solar cell, starting from the cleaned ITO substrate up to the final post-treated solar cell, is generated. The active layer structure is influenced by the annealing as well as by the top contact deposition. Structures coarsen during the evaporation of the metal contacts. The P3HT crystal structure strongly depends on the device processing as well. These morphological changes together with the diffusion of aluminum atoms to the active layer are of importance for the device efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Guo
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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12
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E. Brumboiu I, Anselmo A, Brena B, Dzwilewski A, Svensson K, Moons E. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure study of the C60-derivative PCBM. Chem Phys Lett 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2013.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Chen MC, Yang YL, Chen SW, Li JH, Aklilu M, Tai Y. Self-assembled monolayer immobilized gold nanoparticles for plasmonic effects in small molecule organic photovoltaic. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:511-7. [PMID: 23286370 DOI: 10.1021/am3028712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-induced surface plasmons on the performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) that consist of copper phthalocyanine and fullerene as the active materials. The photon absorption can be enhanced by immobilization of surfactant-stabilized Au NPs on a self-assembled monolayer-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, and thus, the photocurrent as well as the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of these OPVs can be improved. Varying the density of the immobilized Au NPs in the devices provided no significant variation in the charge mobility but it did enhance the photocurrent. In addition, device simulation results demonstrated that the improvement in photocurrent was due to the enhancement of light absorption and the increase in charge separation, which was facilitated by the Au NPs. Overall, we attributed the improvement in PCE of OPVs to a localized surface plasmon resonance effect generated by the Au NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chung Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43 Keelung Road Sec.4, Taipei-10607, Taiwan
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14
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Anselmo AS, Dzwilewski A, Svensson K, Moons E. Molecular orientation and composition at the surface of spin-coated polyfluorene:Fullerene blend films. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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15
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Rivnay J, Mannsfeld SCB, Miller CE, Salleo A, Toney MF. Quantitative Determination of Organic Semiconductor Microstructure from the Molecular to Device Scale. Chem Rev 2012; 112:5488-519. [DOI: 10.1021/cr3001109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 939] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Rivnay
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305,
United States
| | - Stefan C. B. Mannsfeld
- Stanford
Synchrotron Radiation
Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park,
California 94025, United States
| | - Chad E. Miller
- Stanford
Synchrotron Radiation
Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park,
California 94025, United States
| | - Alberto Salleo
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305,
United States
| | - Michael F. Toney
- Stanford
Synchrotron Radiation
Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park,
California 94025, United States
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16
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Pearson AJ, Wang T, Jones RAL, Lidzey DG, Staniec PA, Hopkinson PE, Donald AM. Rationalizing Phase Transitions with Thermal Annealing Temperatures for P3HT:PCBM Organic Photovoltaic Devices. Macromolecules 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ma202063k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Pearson
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield
Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield
Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K
| | - Richard A. L. Jones
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield
Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K
| | - David G. Lidzey
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield
Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K
| | - Paul A. Staniec
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science & Technology Campus, Didcot Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, U.K
| | - Paul E. Hopkinson
- Department
of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge,
CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Athene M. Donald
- Department
of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge,
CB3 0HE, U.K
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17
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Pearson AJ, Boden SA, Bagnall DM, Lidzey DG, Rodenburg C. Imaging the bulk nanoscale morphology of organic solar cell blends using helium ion microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2011; 11:4275-4281. [PMID: 21923098 DOI: 10.1021/nl202269n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We use helium ion microscopy (HeIM) to image the nanostructure of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) blend thin-films. Specifically, we study a blend thin-film subject to a thermal anneal at 140 °C and use a plasma-etching technique to gain access to the bulk of the blend thin-films. We observe a domain structure within the bulk of the film that is not apparent at the film-surface and tentatively identify a network of slightly elongated PCBM domains having a spatial periodicity of (20 ± 4) nm a length of (12 ± 8) nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Pearson
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield , Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, UK.
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