1
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Meng Z, Zhang Y, Yang L, Zhao S, Zhou Q, Chen J, Sui J, Wang J, Guo L, Chang L, He J, Wang G, Zang G. A Novel Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Engineered Interface for Electrochemical Monitoring of Ascorbic Acid During the Occurrence of Glutamate-Induced Brain Cytotoxic Edemas. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0149. [PMID: 37234604 PMCID: PMC10205589 DOI: 10.34133/research.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Although neuroelectrochemical sensing technology offers unique benefits for neuroscience research, its application is limited by substantial interference in complex brain environments while ensuring biosafety requirements. In this study, we introduced poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and nitrogen-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs) to construct a composite membrane-modified carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME/P3HT-N-MWCNTs) for ascorbic acid (AA) detection. The microelectrode presented good linearity, selectivity, stability, antifouling, and biocompatibility and exhibited great performance for application in neuroelectrochemical sensing. Subsequently, we applied CFME/P3HT-N-MWCNTs to monitor AA release from in vitro nerve cells, ex vivo brain slices, and in vivo living rat brains and determined that glutamate can induce cell edema and AA release. We also found that glutamate activated the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor, which enhanced Na+ and Cl- inflow to induce osmotic stress, resulting in cytotoxic edema and ultimately AA release. This study is the first to observe the process of glutamate-induced brain cytotoxic edema with AA release and to reveal the mechanism. Our work can benefit the application of P3HT in in vivo implant microelectrode construction to monitor neurochemicals, understand the molecular basis of nervous system diseases, and discover certain biomarkers of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexuan Meng
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yuchan Zhang
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Department of Pathophysiology,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jiuxi Sui
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lizhong Guo
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Luyue Chang
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jialing He
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants,
Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Guangchao Zang
- Institute of Life Science, and Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching and Management Center,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
- Department of Pathophysiology,
Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Optoelectrical, electronic, and thermodynamic DFT study of a carbon nanoring and its derivative: application as active layer material in organic solar cell performance improvement and nonlinear optics. J Mol Model 2023; 29:1. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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3
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Gui R, Liu Y, Chen Z, Wang T, Chen T, Shi R, Zhang K, Qin W, Ye L, Hao X, Yin H. Reproducibility in Time and Space-The Molecular Weight Effects of Polymeric Materials in Organic Photovoltaic Devices. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2101548. [PMID: 35388986 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The reproducibility issue is one of the major challenges for the commercialization of large-area organic electronic devices. It involves both the device-to-device variation and opto-electronic properties in different positions of a single thin film. Herein, the molecular weight effects in polymeric semiconductors with three widely used photovoltaic donor materials P3HT, PBDB-T, and PM6 are systematically investigated. A simple but effective method is proposed to evaluate the uniformity of large-area devices by adopting the micron-level grid electrodes in organic thin films. An interesting phenomenon is observed that the device is gradually improved uniformly with the Mw range lower than 100 kg mol-1 . In neat films, both the mobility and energetic disorder values of hole carriers exhibit relatively lower coefficient of variation (cv ) in high molecular-weight systems. After blending with the electron-accepting materials, their bulk heterojunction films also enjoy more uniform hole transfer rates, fluorescence lifetimes, and power conversion efficiencies in single and different devices. This work not only proposes a facile approach to evaluate the electrical properties of large-area organic thin films, but also demonstrates the relationship between molecular weight and device reproducibility in polymer solar cells. This contribution provides a new insight into the commercial large-scale production of organic electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruohua Gui
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Tong Wang
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Tao Chen
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Rui Shi
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Kangning Zhang
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Wei Qin
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Long Ye
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, P. R. China
| | - Xiaotao Hao
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
| | - Hang Yin
- School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, P. R. China
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4
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Controllable Photoelectric Properties of Carbon Dots and Their Application in Organic Solar Cells. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2637-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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5
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Kuang Z, Berger FJ, Lustres JLP, Wollscheid N, Li H, Lüttgens J, Leinen MB, Flavel BS, Zaumseil J, Buckup T. Charge Transfer from Photoexcited Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes to Wide-Bandgap Wrapping Polymer. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2021; 125:8125-8136. [PMID: 34055124 PMCID: PMC8154833 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c10171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As narrow optical bandgap materials, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are rarely regarded as charge donors in photoinduced charge-transfer (PCT) reactions. However, the unique band structure and unusual exciton dynamics of SWCNTs add more possibilities to the classical PCT mechanism. In this work, we demonstrate PCT from photoexcited semiconducting (6,5) SWCNTs to a wide-bandgap wrapping poly-[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-(6,6')-(2,2'-bipyridine)] (PFO-BPy) via femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. By monitoring the spectral dynamics of the SWCNT polaron, we show that charge transfer from photoexcited SWCNTs to PFO-BPy can be driven not only by the energetically favorable E33 transition but also by the energetically unfavorable E22 excitation under high pump fluence. This unusual PCT from narrow-bandgap SWCNTs toward a wide-bandgap polymer originates from the up-converted high-energy excitonic state (E33 or higher) that is promoted by the Auger recombination of excitons and charge carriers in SWCNTs. These insights provide new pathways for charge separation in SWCNT-based photodetectors and photovoltaic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoran Kuang
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Felix J. Berger
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jose Luis Pérez Lustres
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Wollscheid
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Institute
of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Jan Lüttgens
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Merve Balcı Leinen
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Benjamin S. Flavel
- Institute
of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Jana Zaumseil
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Tiago Buckup
- Physikalisch
Chemisches Institut and Centre for Advanced Materials, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229/253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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6
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Zhou H, Song Y. Fabrication of Silver Mesh/Grid and Its Applications in Electronics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:3493-3511. [PMID: 33440929 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c18518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the development of flexible electronics, researchers have endeavored to improve the characteristics of the commonly used indium tin oxide such as brittleness, poor mechanical or chemical stability, and scarcity. Currently, many alternative materials have been considered such as conductive polymers, graphene, carbon nanotubes, metallic nanoparticles (NPs), nanowires (NWs), or nanofibers. Among them, silver (Ag) mesh/grid NPs or NWs have been considered as an excellent substitute due to the good transmittance, excellent electrical conductivity, outstanding mechanical robustness, and cost competitiveness. So far, much effort has been devoted to the fabrication of Ag mesh/grid, and many methods such as printing technology, self-assembly, electrospun, hot-pressing, and atomic layer deposition have been reported. Here printing technologies include jet printing, gravure printing, screen printing, nanoimprint lithography, microcontact printing, and flexographic printing. The solution-based self-assembly usually combines with coating, template, or mask assistance. This review summarizes the characteristics of these fabrication methods for the Ag mesh/grid with its related applications in electronics. Then the prospect and challenges of the fabrication methods are discussed, and the new preparation approaches and applications of the Ag mesh/grid are highlighted, which will be of significance for the applications in electronics such as transparent conducting electrodes, organic light-emitting diode, energy harvester, strain sensor, cells, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Nanomaterials for Green Printing Technology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yanlin Song
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Engineering Research Center of Nanomaterials for Green Printing Technology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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7
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Baibarac M, Arzumanyan G, Daescu M, Udrescu A, Mamatkulov K. Anisotropic Photoluminescence of Poly(3-hexyl thiophene) and Their Composites with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Highly Separated in Metallic and Semiconducting Tubes. Molecules 2021; 26:E294. [PMID: 33435534 PMCID: PMC7827376 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, the effect of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the mixtures of metallic and semiconducting tubes (M + S-SWNTs) as well as highly separated semiconducting (S-SWNTs) and metallic (M-SWNTs) tubes on the photoluminescence (PL) of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) was reported. Two methods were used to prepare such composites, that is, the chemical interaction of the two constituents and the electrochemical polymerization of the 3-hexyl thiophene onto the rough Au supports modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The measurements of the anisotropic PL of these composites have highlighted a significant diminution of the angle of the binding of the P3HT films electrochemical synthetized onto Au electrodes covered with M + S-SWNTs. This change was attributed to metallic tubes, as was demonstrated using the anisotropic PL measurements carried out on the P3HT/M-SWNTs and P3HT/S-SWNTs composites. Small variations in the angle of the binding were reported in the case of the composites prepared by chemical interaction of the two constituents. The proposed mechanism to explain this behavior took into account the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT. The experimental arguments of the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT were shown by the UV-VIS-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy as well as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). A PL quenching process of P3HT induced both in the presence of S-SWNTs and M-SWNTs was reported, too. This process origins in the various de-excitation pathways which can be developed considering the energy levels diagram of the two constituents of each studied composite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Baibarac
- Optical Processes in Nanostructure Materials Laboratory, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor Str. 405 A, 77125 Magurele, Romania; (M.D.); (A.U.)
| | - Grigory Arzumanyan
- Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research Laboratory, 6 Joliot-Curie Street, 141980 Dubna, Russia; (G.A.); (K.M.)
| | - Monica Daescu
- Optical Processes in Nanostructure Materials Laboratory, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor Str. 405 A, 77125 Magurele, Romania; (M.D.); (A.U.)
| | - Adelina Udrescu
- Optical Processes in Nanostructure Materials Laboratory, National Institute of Materials Physics, Atomistilor Str. 405 A, 77125 Magurele, Romania; (M.D.); (A.U.)
| | - Kahramon Mamatkulov
- Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research Laboratory, 6 Joliot-Curie Street, 141980 Dubna, Russia; (G.A.); (K.M.)
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8
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Jang JG, Woo SY, Lee H, Lee E, Kim SH, Hong JI. Supramolecular Functionalization for Improving Thermoelectric Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Small Organic Molecule Hybrids. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:51387-51396. [PMID: 33166113 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs-P)-small organic molecule hybrid materials are promising candidates for achieving high thermoelectric (TE) performance. In this study, we synthesized rod-coil amphiphilic molecules, that is, tri(ethylene oxide) chain-attached bis(bithiophenyl)-terphenyl derivatives (1 and 2). Supramolecular functionalization of SWCNTs-P with 1 or 2 induced charge-transfer interactions between them. Improved TE properties of the supramolecular hybrids (SWCNTs-1 and SWCNTs-2) are attributed to increased charge-carrier concentration (electrical conductivity), interfacial phonon scattering (thermal conductivity), and energy difference between the transport and Fermi levels (ETr - EF; Seebeck coefficient). SWCNTs-2 exhibited a ZT of 0.42 × 10-2 at 300 K, which is 350% larger than that of SWCNTs-P. Furthermore, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ)-doped SWCNTs-2 showed the highest ZT value of 1.96 × 10-2 at 300 K among SWCNTs-P/small organic molecule hybrids known until now. These results demonstrated that the supramolecular functionalization of SWCNTs-P with small organic molecules could be useful for enhancement of TE performance and applications in wearable/flexible thermoelectrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Gyu Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sun Young Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 448-701, Korea
| | - Hwankyu Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 448-701, Korea
| | - Eunji Lee
- School of Materials Science and Technology, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Sung Hyun Kim
- Department of Carbon Convergence Engineering, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Korea
| | - Jong-In Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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9
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Aftabuzzaman M, Lu C, Kim HK. Recent progress on nanostructured carbon-based counter/back electrodes for high-performance dye-sensitized and perovskite solar cells. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:17590-17648. [PMID: 32820785 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr04112b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) favor minimal environmental impact and low processing costs, factors that have prompted intensive research and development. In both cases, rare, expensive, and less stable metals (Pt and Au) are used as counter/back electrodes; this design increases the overall fabrication cost of commercial DSSC and PSC devices. Therefore, significant attempts have been made to identify possible substitutes. Carbon-based materials seem to be a favorable candidate for DSSCs and PSCs due to their excellent catalytic ability, easy scalability, low cost, and long-term stability. However, different carbon materials, including carbon black, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, among others, have distinct properties, which have a significant role in device efficiency. Herein, we summarize the recent advancement of carbon-based materials and review their synthetic approaches, structure-function relationship, surface modification, heteroatoms/metal/metal oxide incorporation, fabrication process of counter/back electrodes, and their effects on photovoltaic efficiency, based on previous studies. Finally, we highlight the advantages, disadvantages, and design criteria of carbon materials and fabrication challenges that inspire researchers to find low cost, efficient and stable counter/back electrodes for DSSCs and PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Aftabuzzaman
- Global GET-Future Lab & Department of Advanced Materials Chemistry, Korea University, 2511 Sejong-ro, Sejong 339-700, Korea.
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10
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Yuan Q, Zhang Z, Li L, Agbolaghi S, Mousavi S. Improved stability in
P3HT
:
PCBM
photovoltaics by incorporation of
well‐designed
polythiophene/graphene compositions. POLYM INT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zunju Zhang
- Heibei University of Environmental Engineering Qinhuangdao China
| | - Lei Li
- Northeast Petroleum University Qinhuangdao China
| | - Samira Agbolaghi
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of EngineeringAzarbaijan Shahid Madani University Tabriz Iran
| | - Saina Mousavi
- Department of ChemistryPayame Noor University Tehran Iran
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11
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Swathy T, Jinish Antony M. Tangled silver nanoparticles embedded polythiophene-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites with remarkable electrical and thermal properties. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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12
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Nguyen TP, Nguyen DLT, Nguyen VH, Le TH, Vo DVN, Ly QV, Kim SY, Le QV. Recent Progress in Carbon-Based Buffer Layers for Polymer Solar Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1858. [PMID: 31717989 PMCID: PMC6918399 DOI: 10.3390/polym11111858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon-based materials are promising candidates as charge transport layers in various optoelectronic devices and have been applied to enhance the performance and stability of such devices. In this paper, we provide an overview of the most contemporary strategies that use carbon-based materials including graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots, and graphitic carbon nitride as buffer layers in polymer solar cells (PSCs). The crucial parameters that regulate the performance of carbon-based buffer layers are highlighted and discussed in detail. Furthermore, the performances of recently developed carbon-based materials as hole and electron transport layers in PSCs compared with those of commercially available hole/electron transport layers are evaluated. Finally, we elaborate on the remaining challenges and future directions for the development of carbon-based buffer layers to achieve high-efficiency and high-stability PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thang Phan Nguyen
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials Chemistry, Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam;
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Dang Le Tri Nguyen
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam; (D.L.T.N.); (Q.V.L.)
| | - Van-Huy Nguyen
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications, Lac Hong University, Bien Hoa 810000, Vietnam;
| | - Thu-Ha Le
- Faculty of Materials Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Vietnam National University–Ho Chi Minh City (VNU–HCM), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam;
| | - Dai-Viet N. Vo
- Center of Excellence for Green Energy and Environmental Nanomaterials (CE@GrEEN), Nguyen Tat Thanh University, 300A Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City 755414, Vietnam;
| | - Quang Viet Ly
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam; (D.L.T.N.); (Q.V.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membrane and Membrane Processes, National Center for International Joint Research on Membrane Science and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Soo Young Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Quyet Van Le
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam; (D.L.T.N.); (Q.V.L.)
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13
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Jayawardena KDGI, Thirimanne HM, Tedde SF, Huerdler JE, Parnell AJ, Bandara RMI, Mills CA, Silva SRP. Millimeter-Scale Unipolar Transport in High Sensitivity Organic-Inorganic Semiconductor X-ray Detectors. ACS NANO 2019; 13:6973-6981. [PMID: 31125201 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b01916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid inorganic-in-organic semiconductors are an attractive class of materials for optoelectronic applications. Traditionally, the thicknesses of organic semiconductors are kept below 1 μm due to poor charge transport in such systems. However, recent work suggests that charge carriers in such organic semiconductors can be transported over centimeter length scales opposing this view. In this work, a unipolar X-ray photoconductor based on a bulk heterojunction architecture, consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene), a C70 derivative, and high atomic number bismuth oxide nanoparticles operating in the 0.1-1 mm thickness regime is demonstrated, having a high sensitivity of ∼160 μC mGy-1 cm-3. The high performance enabled by hole drift lengths approaching a millimeter facilitates a device architecture allowing a high fraction of the incident X-rays to be attenuated. An X-ray imager is demonstrated with sufficient resolution for security applications such as portable baggage screening at border crossings and public events and scalable medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- K D G Imalka Jayawardena
- Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Surrey , Guildford , Surrey , GU2 7XH , United Kingdom
| | - Hashini M Thirimanne
- Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Surrey , Guildford , Surrey , GU2 7XH , United Kingdom
| | - Sandro Francesco Tedde
- Siemens Healthineers , Technology Center , Guenther-Scharowsky-Strasse 1 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Judith E Huerdler
- Siemens Healthineers , Technology Center , Guenther-Scharowsky-Strasse 1 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Andrew J Parnell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Sheffield , Hicks Building , Sheffield , S3 7RH , United Kingdom
| | - R M Indrachapa Bandara
- Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Surrey , Guildford , Surrey , GU2 7XH , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Mills
- Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Surrey , Guildford , Surrey , GU2 7XH , United Kingdom
| | - S Ravi P Silva
- Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , University of Surrey , Guildford , Surrey , GU2 7XH , United Kingdom
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Luceño-Sánchez JA, Díez-Pascual AM, Peña Capilla R. Materials for Photovoltaics: State of Art and Recent Developments. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E976. [PMID: 30813428 PMCID: PMC6412461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, photovoltaic cell technology has grown extraordinarily as a sustainable source of energy, as a consequence of the increasing concern over the impact of fossil fuel-based energy on global warming and climate change. The different photovoltaic cells developed up to date can be classified into four main categories called generations (GEN), and the current market is mainly covered by the first two GEN. The 1GEN (mono or polycrystalline silicon cells and gallium arsenide) comprises well-known medium/low cost technologies that lead to moderate yields. The 2GEN (thin-film technologies) includes devices that have lower efficiency albeit are cheaper to manufacture. The 3GEN presents the use of novel materials, as well as a great variability of designs, and comprises expensive but very efficient cells. The 4GEN, also known as "inorganics-in-organics", combines the low cost/flexibility of polymer thin films with the stability of novel inorganic nanostructures (i.e., metal nanoparticles and metal oxides) with organic-based nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives), and are currently under investigation. The main goal of this review is to show the current state of art on photovoltaic cell technology in terms of the materials used for the manufacture, efficiency and production costs. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the four generations is performed, including the device architectures, their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on the 4GEN, where the diverse roles of the organic and nano-components are discussed. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Luceño-Sánchez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Alcalá University, 28871 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana María Díez-Pascual
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Alcalá University, 28871 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rafael Peña Capilla
- Department of Signal Theory and Communication, Polytechnic High School, Alcalá University, 28871 Madrid, Spain.
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15
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16
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Lu S, Sun Y, Ren K, Liu K, Wang Z, Qu S. Recent Development in ITO-free Flexible Polymer Solar Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 10:E5. [PMID: 30966042 PMCID: PMC6414855 DOI: 10.3390/polym10010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer solar cells have shown good prospect for development due to their advantages of low-cost, light-weight, solution processable fabrication, and mechanical flexibility. Their compatibility with the industrial roll-to-roll manufacturing process makes it superior to other kind of solar cells. Normally, indium tin oxide (ITO) is adopted as the transparent electrode in polymer solar cells, which combines good conductivity and transparency. However, some intrinsic weaknesses of ITO restrict its large scale applications in the future, including a high fabrication price using high temperature vacuum deposition method, scarcity of indium, brittleness and scaling up of resistance with the increase of area. Some substitutes to ITO have emerged in recent years, which can be used in flexible polymer solar cells. This article provides the review on recent progress using other transparent electrodes, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal nanowires and nanogrids, conductive polymer, and some other electrodes. Device stability is also discussed briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudi Lu
- Department of Physics, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
| | - Yang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Beijing Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Kuankuan Ren
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Beijing Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Kong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Beijing Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Beijing Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Shengchun Qu
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Beijing Key Laboratory of Low Dimensional Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
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17
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Saha A, Moya A, Kahnt A, Iglesias D, Marchesan S, Wannemacher R, Prato M, Vilatela JJ, Guldi DM. Interfacial charge transfer in functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube@TiO 2 nanofibres. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:7911-7921. [PMID: 28569304 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr00759k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A new insight into photoinduced charge transfer processes across carbon nanotube@TiO2 interfaces has been gained based on experimental details from transient absorption spectroscopy. We show that photoinduced, interfacial hole transfer to carboxylic acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (oxMWCNTs) from TiO2 results in hole-doped oxMWCNTs and reduced TiO2. The latter is inferred from femto- and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy performed with oxMWCNT@TiO2 dispersions and complemented with investigations using methyl viologen and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine as an electron scavenger and a hole scavenger, respectively. The results of ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) of the compounds corroborate the findings, highlighting the strong coupling between oxMWCNTs and TiO2 in these hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishek Saha
- Department of Chemistry & Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstrasse 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
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18
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Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials for advanced polymer nanocomposites: A comparison study between CNT and graphene. Prog Polym Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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19
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Barbero DR, Stranks SD. Functional Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoengineered Networks for Organic- and Perovskite-Solar-Cell Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:9668-9685. [PMID: 27633954 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201600659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes have a variety of remarkable electronic and mechanical properties that, in principle, lend them to promising optoelectronic applications. However, the field has been plagued by heterogeneity in the distributions of synthesized tubes and uncontrolled bundling, both of which have prevented nanotubes from reaching their full potential. Here, a variety of recently demonstrated solution-processing avenues is presented, which may combat these challenges through manipulation of nanoscale structures. Recent advances in polymer-wrapping of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are shown, along with how the resulting nanostructures can selectively disperse tubes while also exploiting the favorable properties of the polymer, such as light-harvesting ability. New methods to controllably form nanoengineered SWNT networks with controlled nanotube placement are discussed. These nanoengineered networks decrease bundling, lower the percolation threshold, and enable a strong enhancement in charge conductivity compared to random networks, making them potentially attractive for optoelectronic applications. Finally, SWNT applications, to date, in organic and perovskite photovoltaics are reviewed, and insights as to how the aforementioned recent advancements can lead to improved device performance provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Barbero
- Nano-Engineered Materials and Organic Electronics Laboratory, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
| | - Samuel D Stranks
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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20
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Mehlenbacher RD, Wang J, Kearns NM, Shea MJ, Flach JT, McDonough TJ, Wu MY, Arnold MS, Zanni MT. Ultrafast Exciton Hopping Observed in Bare Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube Thin Films with Two-Dimensional White-Light Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2016; 7:2024-2031. [PMID: 27182690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We observe ultrafast energy transfer between bare carbon nanotubes in a thin film using two-dimensional (2D) white-light spectroscopy. Using aqueous two-phase separation, semiconducting carbon nanotubes are purified from their metallic counterparts and condensed into a 10 nm thin film with no residual surfactant. Cross peak intensities put the time scale for energy transfer at <60 fs, and 2D anisotropy measurements determine that energy transfer is most efficient between parallel nanotubes, thus favoring directional energy flow. Lifetimes are about 300 fs. Thus, these results are in sharp contrast to thin films prepared from nanotubes that are wrapped by polymers, which exhibit picosecond energy transfer and randomize the direction of energy flow. Ultrafast energy flow and directionality are exciting properties for next-generation photovoltaics, photodetectors, and other devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy D Mehlenbacher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, United States
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nicholas M Kearns
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, United States
| | - Matthew J Shea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Jessica T Flach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, United States
| | - Thomas J McDonough
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, United States
| | - Meng-Yin Wu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Michael S Arnold
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Martin T Zanni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, United States
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21
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Notarianni M, Liu J, Vernon K, Motta N. Synthesis and applications of carbon nanomaterials for energy generation and storage. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 7:149-196. [PMID: 26925363 PMCID: PMC4734431 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.7.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The world is facing an energy crisis due to exponential population growth and limited availability of fossil fuels. Over the last 20 years, carbon, one of the most abundant materials found on earth, and its allotrope forms such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene have been proposed as sources of energy generation and storage because of their extraordinary properties and ease of production. Various approaches for the synthesis and incorporation of carbon nanomaterials in organic photovoltaics and supercapacitors have been reviewed and discussed in this work, highlighting their benefits as compared to other materials commonly used in these devices. The use of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene in organic photovoltaics and supercapacitors is described in detail, explaining how their remarkable properties can enhance the efficiency of solar cells and energy storage in supercapacitors. Fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene have all been included in solar cells with interesting results, although a number of problems are still to be overcome in order to achieve high efficiency and stability. However, the flexibility and the low cost of these materials provide the opportunity for many applications such as wearable and disposable electronics or mobile charging. The application of carbon nanotubes and graphene to supercapacitors is also discussed and reviewed in this work. Carbon nanotubes, in combination with graphene, can create a more porous film with extraordinary capacitive performance, paving the way to many practical applications from mobile phones to electric cars. In conclusion, we show that carbon nanomaterials, developed by inexpensive synthesis and process methods such as printing and roll-to-roll techniques, are ideal for the development of flexible devices for energy generation and storage - the key to the portable electronics of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Notarianni
- Institute of Future Environments and School of Chemistry, Physics, and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia
- Plasma-Therm LLC, 10050 16th St. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33716, USA
| | - Jinzhang Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Kristy Vernon
- Institute of Future Environments and School of Chemistry, Physics, and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Nunzio Motta
- Institute of Future Environments and School of Chemistry, Physics, and Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia
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22
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Dang Y, Zhang X, Chen X, Kang B, Silva SRP. Heterojunction solar cells with improved power conversion efficiency using graphene quantum dots. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra20534h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of incorporating graphene quantum dots (GQDs) synthesized by a hydrothermal method in the active layer of organic solar cells was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Dang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics
- College of Electronic Science and Engineering
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Xinyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry
- College of Chemistry
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics
- College of Electronic Science and Engineering
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Bonan Kang
- State Key Laboratory on Integrated Optoelectronics
- College of Electronic Science and Engineering
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - S. Ravi P. Silva
- Nanoelectronics Centre
- Advanced Technology Institute
- University of Surrey
- Guildford
- UK
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23
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Jeon I, Chiba T, Delacou C, Guo Y, Kaskela A, Reynaud O, Kauppinen EI, Maruyama S, Matsuo Y. Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Film as Electrode in Indium-Free Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells: Investigation of Electron-Blocking Layers and Dopants. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:6665-71. [PMID: 26327329 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In this work, we fabricated indium-free perovskite solar cells (SCs) using direct- and dry-transferred aerosol single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). We investigated diverse methodologies to solve SWNTs' hydrophobicity and doping issues in SC devices. These include changing wettability of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT PSS), MoO3 thermal doping, and HNO3(aq) doping with various dilutions from 15 to 70 v/v% to minimize its instability and toxic nature. We discovered that isopropanol (IPA) modified PEDOT PSS works better than surfactant modified PEDOT PSS as an electron-blocking layer on SWNTs in perovskite SCs due to superior wettability, whereas MoO3 is not compatible owing to energy level mismatching. Diluted HNO3 (35 v/v%)-doped SWNT-based device produced the highest PCE of 6.32% among SWNT-based perovskite SCs, which is 70% of an indium tin oxide (ITO)-based device (9.05%). Its flexible application showed a PCE of 5.38% on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takaaki Chiba
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Clement Delacou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yunlong Guo
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Antti Kaskela
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science , 15100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Olivier Reynaud
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science , 15100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Esko I Kauppinen
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science , 15100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Shigeo Maruyama
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba 305-8564, Japan
| | - Yutaka Matsuo
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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24
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Jayawardena KDGI, Li S, Sam LF, Smith CTG, Beliatis MJ, Gandhi KK, Prabhath MRR, Pozegic TR, Chen S, Xu X, Dabera GDMR, Rozanski LJ, Sporea RA, Mills CA, Guo X, Silva SRP. High efficiency air stable organic photovoltaics with an aqueous inorganic contact. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:14241-14247. [PMID: 26256946 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr01239b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We report a ZnO interfacial layer based on an environmentally friendly aqueous precursor for organic photovoltaics. Inverted PCDTBT devices based on this precursor show power conversion efficiencies of 6.8-7%. Unencapsulated devices stored in air display prolonged lifetimes extending over 200 hours with less than 20% drop in efficiency compared to devices based on the standard architecture.
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25
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Jeon I, Cui K, Chiba T, Anisimov A, Nasibulin AG, Kauppinen EI, Maruyama S, Matsuo Y. Direct and Dry Deposited Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films Doped with MoO(x) as Electron-Blocking Transparent Electrodes for Flexible Organic Solar Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:7982-5. [PMID: 26091443 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b03739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Organic solar cells have been regarded as a promising electrical energy source. Transparent and conductive carbon nanotube film offers an alternative to commonly used ITO in photovoltaics with superior flexibility. This communication reports carbon nanotube-based indium-free organic solar cells and their flexible application. Direct and dry deposited carbon nanotube film doped with MoO(x) functions as an electron-blocking transparent electrode, and its performance is enhanced further by overcoating with PEDOT PSS. The single-walled carbon nanotube organic solar cell in this work shows a power conversion efficiency of 6.04%. This value is 83% of the leading ITO-based device performance (7.48%). Flexible application shows 3.91% efficiency and is capable of withstanding a severe cyclic flex test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il Jeon
- †Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kehang Cui
- ‡Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takaaki Chiba
- ‡Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | | | - Albert G Nasibulin
- ∥Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.,⊥Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 100 Novaya str., Skolkovo, Moscow Region 143025, Russia.,#Department of Material Science, Saint-Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Polytechnicheskaya 29, Saint- Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Esko I Kauppinen
- ∥Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Shigeo Maruyama
- ‡Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.,¶National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-8564, Japan
| | - Yutaka Matsuo
- †Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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26
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Simultaneous Improvement of Hole and Electron Injection in Organic Field-effect Transistors by Conjugated Polymer-wrapped Carbon Nanotube Interlayers. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10407. [PMID: 26001198 PMCID: PMC5377053 DOI: 10.1038/srep10407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient charge injection is critical for flexible organic electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and field-effect transistors (OFETs). Here, we investigated conjugated polymer-wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) as solution-processable charge-injection layers in ambipolar organic field-effect transistors with poly(thienylenevinylene-co-phthalimide)s. The interlayers were prepared using poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) or poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) to wrap s-SWNTs. In the contact-limited ambipolar OFETs, the interlayer led to significantly lower contact resistance (Rc) and increased mobilities for both holes and electrons. The resulting PTVPhI-Eh OFETs with PFO-wrapped s-SWNT interlayers showed very well-balanced ambipolar transport properties with a hole mobility of 0.5 cm2V-1S-1 and an electron mobility of 0.5 cm2V-1S-1 in linear regime. In addition, the chirality of s-SWNTs and kind of wrapping of conjugated polymers are not critical to improving charge-injection properties. We found that the improvements caused by the interlayer were due to the better charge injection at the metal/organic semiconductor contact interface and the increase in the charge concentration through a detailed examination of charge transport with low-temperature measurements. Finally, we successfully demonstrated complementary ambipolar inverters incorporating the interlayers without excessive patterning.
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27
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Fujigaya T, Nakashima N. Non-covalent polymer wrapping of carbon nanotubes and the role of wrapped polymers as functional dispersants. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2015; 16:024802. [PMID: 27877763 PMCID: PMC5036478 DOI: 10.1088/1468-6996/16/2/024802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recognized as a promising material in a wide range of applications from biotechnology to energy-related devices. However, the poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents hindered the applications of CNTs. As studies have progressed, the methodology for CNT dispersion was established. In this methodology, the key issue is to covalently or non-covalently functionalize the surfaces of the CNTs with a dispersant. Among the various types of dispersions, polymer wrapping through non-covalent interactions is attractive in terms of the stability and homogeneity of the functionalization. Recently, by taking advantage of their stability, the wrapped-polymers have been utilized to support and/or reinforce the unique functionality of the CNTs, leading to the development of high-performance devices. In this review, various polymer wrapping approaches, together with the applications of the polymer-wrapped CNTs, are summarized.
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28
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Khan AA, Dabera GDMR, Butt H, Qasim MM, Amaratunga GAJ, Silva SRP, Wilkinson TD. Tunable scattering from liquid crystal devices using carbon nanotubes network electrodes. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:330-336. [PMID: 25407043 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr04466e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals are of technological interest as they allow for optical effects which can be electrically controlled. In this paper we present an electro-optical device consisting of nematic liquid crystals addressed by an electrode structure consisting of thin films of polymer wrapped single walled carbon nanotubes (nanohybrids). Thin films of nanohybrids display excellent optical transmission and electrical conduction properties. Due to the randomly organised nanohybrids these composite films produce interesting director profile arrangements within the liquid crystal layers. As a result, enhanced scattering of laser and white light was observed from these liquid crystal cells which bend themselves as electrically controllable optical diffusers and beam shapers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar A Khan
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
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29
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Sharkey JJ, Stranks SD, Huang J, Alexander-Webber JA, Nicholas RJ. Engineering nanostructures by binding single molecules to single-walled carbon nanotubes. ACS NANO 2014; 8:12748-12754. [PMID: 25437329 DOI: 10.1021/nn505860a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Organic and hybrid organic-inorganic systems are promising candidates for low cost photovoltaics. Recently, perovskite-based systems have been attracting a large amount of research attention, where the highest performing devices employ a small molecule (2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine)-9,9'-spirobifluorene) (Spiro-OMeTAD) hole transporter. Here, we demonstrate the production of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/single molecule nanostructures using a simple solution processing technique for effective and strong binding of Spiro-OMeTAD to individual polymer-wrapped SWNTs. These small molecules bind very strongly, which causes both large mechanical strain of the nanotubes and also improves the separation of individual SWNTs, thus improving the nanotube photoluminescence quantum efficiency by 1 order of magnitude compared to simple polymer-nanotube nanohybrids. Using absorption and photoluminescence measurements, we show that there is a dramatic variation in the electronic properties of the polymer-NT nanocomposites due to the band alignment formed with Spiro-OMeTAD. These self-assembled nanocomposites offer the potential for integration into high performance optoelectronic such as photovoltaic cells and light emission devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Joseph Sharkey
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory , Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
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30
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Habisreutinger SN, Leijtens T, Eperon GE, Stranks SD, Nicholas RJ, Snaith HJ. Enhanced Hole Extraction in Perovskite Solar Cells Through Carbon Nanotubes. J Phys Chem Lett 2014; 5:4207-4212. [PMID: 26278955 DOI: 10.1021/jz5021795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report the use of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes as a means to enhance charge extraction through undoped spiro-OMeTAD. With this approach a good solar cell performance is achieved without the implementation of conventional doping methods. We demonstrate that a stratified two-layer architecture of sequentially deposited layers of carbon nanotubes and spiro-OMeTAD, outperforms a conventional blend of the hole-conductor and the carbon nanotubes. We also provide insights into the mechanism of the rapid hole extraction observed in the two-layer approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin N Habisreutinger
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Tomas Leijtens
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Giles E Eperon
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel D Stranks
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J Nicholas
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Henry J Snaith
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
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31
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Song D, Li M, Wang T, Fu P, Li Y, Jiang B, Jiang Y, Zhao X. Dye-sensitized solar cells using nanomaterial/PEDOT–PSS composite counter electrodes: Effect of the electronic and structural properties of nanomaterials. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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32
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Habisreutinger SN, Leijtens T, Eperon GE, Stranks SD, Nicholas RJ, Snaith HJ. Carbon nanotube/polymer composites as a highly stable hole collection layer in perovskite solar cells. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:5561-8. [PMID: 25226226 DOI: 10.1021/nl501982b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 360] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells have recently emerged at the forefront of photovoltaics research. Power conversion efficiencies have experienced an unprecedented increase to reported values exceeding 19% within just four years. With the focus mainly on efficiency, the aspect of stability has so far not been thoroughly addressed. In this paper, we identify thermal stability as a fundamental weak point of perovskite solar cells, and demonstrate an elegant approach to mitigating thermal degradation by replacing the organic hole transport material with polymer-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) embedded in an insulating polymer matrix. With this composite structure, we achieve JV scanned power-conversion efficiencies of up to 15.3% with an average efficiency of 10 ± 2%. Moreover, we observe strong retardation in thermal degradation as compared to cells employing state-of-the-art organic hole-transporting materials. In addition, the resistance to water ingress is remarkably enhanced. These are critical developments for achieving long-term stability of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin N Habisreutinger
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory , Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
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33
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Sam FLM, Dabera GDMR, Lai KT, Mills CA, Rozanski LJ, Silva SRP. Hybrid metal grid-polymer-carbon nanotube electrodes for high luminance organic light emitting diodes. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 25:345202. [PMID: 25100801 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/34/345202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) incorporating grid transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) with wide grid line spacing suffer from an inability to transfer charge carriers across the gaps in the grids to promote light emission in these areas. High luminance OLEDs fabricated using a hybrid TCE composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS PH1000) or regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (rrP3HT-SWCNT) in combination with a nanometre thin gold grid are reported here. OLEDs fabricated using the hybrid gold grid/PH1000 TCE have a luminance of 18 000 cd m(-2) at 9 V; the same as the reference indium tin oxide (ITO) OLED. The gold grid/rrP3HT-SWCNT OLEDs have a lower luminance of 8260 cd m(-2) at 9 V, which is likely due to a rougher rrP3HT-SWCNT surface. These results demonstrate that the hybrid gold grid/PH1000 TCE is a promising replacement for ITO in future plastic electronics applications including OLEDs and organic photovoltaics. For applications where surface roughness is not critical, e.g. electrochromic devices or discharge of static electricity, the gold grid/rrP3HT-SWCNT hybrid TCE can be employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Laurent M Sam
- Advanced Technology Institute, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
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Samanta SK, Fritsch M, Scherf U, Gomulya W, Bisri SZ, Loi MA. Conjugated polymer-assisted dispersion of single-wall carbon nanotubes: the power of polymer wrapping. Acc Chem Res 2014; 47:2446-56. [PMID: 25025887 DOI: 10.1021/ar500141j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The future application of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in electronic (nano)devices is closely coupled to the availability of pure, semiconducting SWNTs and preferably, their defined positioning on suited substrates. Commercial carbon nanotube raw mixtures contain metallic as well as semiconducting tubes of different diameter and chirality. Although many techniques such as density gradient ultracentrifugation, dielectrophoresis, and dispersion by surfactants or polar biopolymers have been developed, so-called conjugated polymer wrapping is one of the most promising and powerful purification and discrimination strategies. The procedure involves debundling and dispersion of SWNTs by wrapping semiflexible conjugated polymers, such as poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene)s (PFx) or regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (P3AT), around the SWNTs, and is accompanied by SWNT discrimination by diameter and chirality. Thereby, the π-conjugated backbone of the conjugated polymers interacts with the two-dimensional, graphene-like π-electron surface of the nanotubes and the solubilizing alkyl side chains of optimal length support debundling and dispersion in organic solvents. Careful structural design of the conjugated polymers allows for a selective and preferential dispersion of both small and large diameter SWNTs or SWNTs of specific chirality. As an example, with polyfluorenes as dispersing agents, it was shown that alkyl chain length of eight carbons are favored for the dispersion of SWNTs with diameters of 0.8-1.2 nm and longer alkyls with 12-15 carbons can efficiently interact with nanotubes of increased diameter up to 1.5 nm. Polar side chains at the PF backbone produce dispersions with increased SWNT concentration but, unfortunately, cause reduction in selectivity. The selectivity of the dispersion process can be monitored by a combination of absorption, photoluminescence, and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, allowing identification of nanotubes with specific coordinates [(n,m) indices]. The polymer wrapping strategy enables the generation of SWNT dispersions containing exclusively semiconducting nanotubes. Toward the applications in electronic devices, until now most applied approach is a direct processing of such SWNT dispersions into the active layer of network-type thin film field effect transistors. However, to achieve promising transistor performance (high mobility and on-off ratio) careful removal of the wrapping polymer chains seems crucial, for example, by washing or ultracentrifugation. More defined positioning of the SWNTs can be accomplished in directed self-assembly procedures. One possible strategy uses diblock copolymers containing a conjugated polymer block as dispersing moiety and a second block for directed self-assembly, for example, a DNA block for specific interaction with complementary DNA strands. Another strategy utilizes reactive side chains for controlled anchoring onto patterned surfaces (e.g., by interaction of thiol-terminated alkyl side chains with gold surfaces). A further promising application of purified SWNT dispersions is the field of organic (all-carbon) or hybrid solar cell devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Kalyan Samanta
- Chemistry
Department and Institute for Polymer Technology, Wuppertal University, Gauss-Strasse 20, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Martin Fritsch
- Chemistry
Department and Institute for Polymer Technology, Wuppertal University, Gauss-Strasse 20, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ullrich Scherf
- Chemistry
Department and Institute for Polymer Technology, Wuppertal University, Gauss-Strasse 20, D-42119 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Widianta Gomulya
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials University of Groningen Nijenborgh
4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Satria Zulkarnaen Bisri
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials University of Groningen Nijenborgh
4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Antonietta Loi
- Zernike
Institute for Advanced Materials University of Groningen Nijenborgh
4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
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35
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Lu L, Yu L. Understanding low bandgap polymer PTB7 and optimizing polymer solar cells based on it. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:4413-30. [PMID: 24677495 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201400384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Solution processed single junction polymer solar cells (PSCs) have been developed from less than 1% power conversion efficiency (PCE) to beyond 9% PCE in the last decade. The significant efficiency improvement comes from progress in both rational design of donor polymers and innovation of device architectures. Among all the novel high efficient donor polymers, PTB7 stands out as the most widely used one for solar cell studies. Herein the recent development of PTB7 solar cells is reviewed. Detailed discussion of basic property, structure property relationship, morphology study, interfacial engineering, and inorganic nanomaterials incorporation is provided. Possible future directions for further increasing the performance of PTB7 solar cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA
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36
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Long R, Prezhdo OV. Asymmetry in the electron and hole transfer at a polymer-carbon nanotube heterojunction. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:3335-3341. [PMID: 24841921 DOI: 10.1021/nl500792a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To achieve a high photon-to-charge conversion efficiency, the electron-hole pair generated by photon absorption in organic photovoltaic systems must overcome the Coulomb attraction, which often results in voltage loss. Bearing this in mind, we performed ab initio time-domain simulations of the charge separation and energy relaxation across an interface formed by poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT). The dynamics of the positive and negative charges showed strong asymmetry. Photoexcitation of the polymer leads to a 100 fs electron transfer, in agreement with the experiment, followed by a loss of 0.6 eV of energy within 0.5 ps. Photoexcitation of the CNT leads to hole transfer, which requires nearly 2 ps, but loses only 0.3 eV of energy. The strong disparity arises due to the differences in the localization of the photoexcited donor states, the number densities of the acceptor states, and the phonon modes involved. Used as a chromophore, P3HT produces faster charge separation but leads to larger energy losses and cannot harvest light in the red region of the solar spectrum. In contrast, CNT absorbs a broader range of photons and reduces energy losses but gives a less efficient charge separation. The complementary properties of the two chromophores can be utilized to improve the performance of solar cells by optimizing simultaneously light harvesting, charge separation, and energy relaxation, which affect the photovoltaic yield, current, and voltage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Long
- School of Physics, Complex & Adaptive Systems Laboratory, University College Dublin , Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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37
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Zhang H, Wu H. Role of Surfactant Adsorption in Controlling Morphology of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polythiophene Nanohybrid. Ind Eng Chem Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/ie401723q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of
Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hua Wu
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of
Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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38
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Beliatis MJ, Gandhi KK, Rozanski LJ, Rhodes R, McCafferty L, Alenezi MR, Alshammari AS, Mills CA, Jayawardena KDGI, Henley SJ, Silva SRP. Hybrid graphene-metal oxide solution processed electron transport layers for large area high-performance organic photovoltaics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:2078-83. [PMID: 24382671 PMCID: PMC4286003 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Solution processed core-shell nano-structures of metal oxide-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) are used as improved electron transport layers (ETL), leading to an enhancement in photocurrent charge transport in PCDTBT:PC70 BM for both single cell and module photovoltaic devices. As a result, the power conversion efficiency for the devices with RGO-metal oxides for ETL increases 8% in single cells and 20% in module devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail J Beliatis
- Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
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39
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Long R, Guo M, Ziletti A. Charge separation across P3HT/carbon nanotube interface: First-principles calculations of electronic structures. Chem Phys Lett 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2014.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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40
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Lau XC, Wu Z, Mitra S. Enhanced charge-carrier transport through shorter carbon nanotubes in organic photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:1640-1645. [PMID: 24410974 DOI: 10.1021/am404543r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate for the first time the efficiency improvement of organic photovoltaics by the addition of shorter multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) generated by size sorting. The different size MWNTs were generated by size sorting a batch of carboxylated MWNTs and were introduced as charge carriers in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells. As compared to a control with only PCBM, the addition of the long and short MWNT resulted in 12 and 34% improvement in short circuit current density (Jsc) respectively. The results indicate that length of carbon nanotubes is an important consideration in photovoltaic and possibly other nanoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo C Lau
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology , Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
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41
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ZANG HUIDONG, XU ZHIHUA, COTLET MIRCEA. CORE-SIZE DEPENDENT PHOTOLUMINESCENCE BLINKING OF ISOLATED QUANTUM DOT-FULLERENE HYBRIDS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793048013500094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the possibility to bias the photoluminescence blinking of isolated colloidal quantum dots coupled to fullerenes by varying the quantum dot core size. Changing the core size affects the energy offset between the donor and acceptor and directly affects the driving force for electron transfer between the two moieties. Single particle photoluminescence measurements reveal dramatic reduction in the on-time associated with the photoluminescence blinking in quantum dot-fullerene hybrids when the quantum dot core size decreases, a manifestation associated with enhanced electron transfer. [Formula: see text]Special Issue Comment: This project is about the blink properties of QDs in the presence of electron acceptor moieties and it connects with two articles from this Special Issue involving treatments when solving single molecules.1,2
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Affiliation(s)
- HUIDONG ZANG
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 735 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - ZHIHUA XU
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 735 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton, New York 11973, USA
| | - MIRCEA COTLET
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 735 Brookhaven Avenue, Upton, New York 11973, USA
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42
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Sun X, Sun H, Li H, Peng H. Developing polymer composite materials: carbon nanotubes or graphene? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:5153-76. [PMID: 23813859 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201301926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 05/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The formation of composite materials represents an efficient route to improve the performances of polymers and expand their application scopes. Due to the unique structure and remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical and catalytic properties, carbon nanotube and graphene have been mostly studied as a second phase to produce high performance polymer composites. Although carbon nanotube and graphene share some advantages in both structure and property, they are also different in many aspects including synthesis of composite material, control in composite structure and interaction with polymer molecule. The resulting composite materials are distinguished in property to meet different applications. This review article mainly describes the preparation, structure, property and application of the two families of composite materials with an emphasis on the difference between them. Some general and effective strategies are summarized for the development of polymer composite materials based on carbon nanotube and graphene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
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43
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Jayawardena KDGI, Rozanski LJ, Mills CA, Beliatis MJ, Nismy NA, Silva SRP. 'Inorganics-in-organics': recent developments and outlook for 4G polymer solar cells. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:8411-8427. [PMID: 23900455 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02733c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in solution processable single junction polymer solar cells have led to a significant improvement in power conversion efficiencies from ∼5% to beyond 9%. While much of the initial efficiency improvements were driven through judicious design of donor polymers, it is the engineering of device architectures through the incorporation of inorganic nanostructures and better processing that has continued the efficiency gains. Inorganic nano-components such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, metal nanoparticles and metal oxides have played a central role in improving device performance and longevity beyond those achieved by conventional 3G polymer solar cells. The present work aims to summarise the diverse roles played by the nanosystems and features in state of the art next generation (4G) polymer solar cells. The challenges associated with the engineering of such devices for future deployment are also discussed.
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Gavrel G, Jousselme B, Filoramo A, Campidelli S. Supramolecular Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes. MAKING AND EXPLOITING FULLERENES, GRAPHENE, AND CARBON NANOTUBES 2013; 348:95-126. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2013_450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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