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Cho KW, Sunwoo SH, Hong YJ, Koo JH, Kim JH, Baik S, Hyeon T, Kim DH. Soft Bioelectronics Based on Nanomaterials. Chem Rev 2021; 122:5068-5143. [PMID: 34962131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in nanostructured materials and unconventional device designs have transformed the bioelectronics from a rigid and bulky form into a soft and ultrathin form and brought enormous advantages to the bioelectronics. For example, mechanical deformability of the soft bioelectronics and thus its conformal contact onto soft curved organs such as brain, heart, and skin have allowed researchers to measure high-quality biosignals, deliver real-time feedback treatments, and lower long-term side-effects in vivo. Here, we review various materials, fabrication methods, and device strategies for flexible and stretchable electronics, especially focusing on soft biointegrated electronics using nanomaterials and their composites. First, we summarize top-down material processing and bottom-up synthesis methods of various nanomaterials. Next, we discuss state-of-the-art technologies for intrinsically stretchable nanocomposites composed of nanostructured materials incorporated in elastomers or hydrogels. We also briefly discuss unconventional device design strategies for soft bioelectronics. Then individual device components for soft bioelectronics, such as biosensing, data storage, display, therapeutic stimulation, and power supply devices, are introduced. Afterward, representative application examples of the soft bioelectronics are described. A brief summary with a discussion on remaining challenges concludes the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Won Cho
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hyuk Sunwoo
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongseok Joseph Hong
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Hoon Koo
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hyun Kim
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmin Baik
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeghwan Hyeon
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyeong Kim
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,Interdisciplinary Program for Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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Conductive Bioimprint Using Soft Lithography Technique Based on PEDOT:PSS for Biosensing. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8120204. [PMID: 34940357 PMCID: PMC8699003 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8120204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture platform surface topography plays an important role in the regulation of biological cell behaviour. Understanding the mechanisms behind the roles of surface topography in cell response are central to many developments in a Lab on a Chip, medical implants and biosensors. In this work, we report on a novel development of a biocompatible conductive hydrogel (CH) made of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and gelatin with bioimprinted surface features. The bioimprinted CH offers high conductivity, biocompatibility and high replication fidelity suitable for cell culture applications. The bioimprinted conductive hydrogel is developed to investigate biological cells’ response to their morphological footprint and study their growth, adhesion, cell–cell interactions and proliferation as a function of conductivity. Moreover, optimization of the conductive hydrogel mixture plays an important role in achieving high imprinting resolution and conductivity. The reason behind choosing a conducive hydrogel with high resolution surface bioimprints is to improve cell monitoring while mimicking cells’ natural physical environment. Bioimprints which are a 3D replication of cellular morphology have previously been shown to promote cell attachment, proliferation, differentiation and even cell response to drugs. The conductive substrate, on the other hand, enables cell impedance to be measured and monitored, which is indicative of cell viability and spread. Two dimensional profiles of the cross section of a single cell taken via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) from the fixed cell on glass, and its replicas on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and conductive hydrogel (CH) show unprecedented replication of cellular features with an average replication fidelity of more than 90%. Furthermore, crosslinking CH films demonstrated a significant increase in electrical conductivity from 10−6 S/cm to 1 S/cm. Conductive bioimprints can provide a suitable platform for biosensing applications and potentially for monitoring implant-tissue reactions in medical devices.
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Yoon J, Hou Y, Knoepfel AM, Yang D, Ye T, Zheng L, Yennawar N, Sanghadasa M, Priya S, Wang K. Bio-inspired strategies for next-generation perovskite solar mobile power sources. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12915-12984. [PMID: 34622260 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01493a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Smart electronic devices are becoming ubiquitous due to many appealing attributes including portability, long operational time, rechargeability and compatibility with the user-desired form factor. Integration of mobile power sources (MPS) based on photovoltaic technologies with smart electronics will continue to drive improved sustainability and independence. With high efficiency, low cost, flexibility and lightweight features, halide perovskite photovoltaics have become promising candidates for MPS. Realization of these photovoltaic MPS (PV-MPS) with unconventionally extraordinary attributes requires new 'out-of-box' designs. Natural materials have provided promising designing solutions to engineer properties under a broad range of boundary conditions, ranging from molecules, proteins, cells, tissues, apparatus to systems in animals, plants, and humans optimized through billions of years of evolution. Applying bio-inspired strategies in PV-MPS could be biomolecular modification on crystallization at the atomic/meso-scale, bio-structural duplication at the device/system level and bio-mimicking at the functional level to render efficient charge delivery, energy transport/utilization, as well as stronger resistance against environmental stimuli (e.g., self-healing and self-cleaning). In this review, we discuss the bio-inspired/-mimetic structures, experimental models, and working principles, with the goal of revealing physics and bio-microstructures relevant for PV-MPS. Here the emphasis is on identifying the strategies and material designs towards improvement of the performance of emerging halide perovskite PVs and strategizing their bridge to future MPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjin Yoon
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Yuchen Hou
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Abbey Marie Knoepfel
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Tao Ye
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Luyao Zheng
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Neela Yennawar
- Huck Institute of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA
| | - Mohan Sanghadasa
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 35898, USA
| | - Shashank Priya
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA.
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4
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Song L, Wang T, Körstgens V, Wang W, Saxena N, Schaffer CJ, Fröschl T, Hüsing N, Bernstorff S, Müller-Buschbaum P. Wet Imprinting of Channel-Type Superstructures in Nanostructured Titania Thin Films at Low Temperatures for Hybrid Solar Cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2018; 11:1179-1186. [PMID: 29442439 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201800129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Hierarchically structured titania films, exhibiting interconnected foam-like nanostructures and large-scale channel-type superstructures, were achieved in an energy-saving way at low temperatures by a polymer template-assisted sol-gel synthesis in combination with a wet-imprinting process. The surface morphology was probed with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, whereas the inner morphology was characterized with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Compared to the initial hybrid films, the titania films showed reduced structure sizes caused by removal of the polymer template. UV/Vis measurements showed an additional light-scattering effect at various angles of light incidence in the hierarchically structured titania films, which resulted in higher light absorption in the wet-imprinted active layer. To give proof of viability, the titania films were evaluated as photoanodes for dye-free hybrid solar cells. The dye-free layout allowed for low-cost fabrication, avoided problems related to dye bleaching, and was a more environmentally friendly alternative to using dyes. Under different angles of light incidence, the enhancement in the short-circuit current density was in good agreement with the improvement in light absorption in the superstructured active layer, demonstrating a positive impact of the superstructures on the photovoltaic performance of hybrid solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Song
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Tianyi Wang
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Center for Nanophotonics, AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Volker Körstgens
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Weijia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Youyixilu 127, Xi'an, 710072, PR China
| | - Nitin Saxena
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Christoph J Schaffer
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Fröschl
- Materialchemie, Chemie und Physik der Materialien, Universität Salzburg, Jakob-Haringer Str. 2a, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nicola Hüsing
- Materialchemie, Chemie und Physik der Materialien, Universität Salzburg, Jakob-Haringer Str. 2a, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sigrid Bernstorff
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14-km 163.5 in AREA Science Park Basovizza, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
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5
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Schlipf J, Askar AM, Pantle F, Wiltshire BD, Sura A, Schneider P, Huber L, Shankar K, Müller-Buschbaum P. Top-Down Approaches Towards Single Crystal Perovskite Solar Cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4906. [PMID: 29559737 PMCID: PMC5861077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23211-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Solar cells employing hybrid perovskites have proven to be a serious contender versus established thin-film photovoltaic technologies. Typically, current photovoltaic devices are built up layer by layer from a transparent substrate (bottom-up approach), while the deposition of the perovskite layer itself comes with many challenges including the control of crystal size, nucleation density and growth rate. On the other hand, single crystals have been used with great success for studying the fundamental properties of this new class of optoelectronic materials. However, optoelectronic devices fabricated from single crystals often employ different materials than in their thin film counterparts. Here, we demonstrate various top-down approaches for low-temperature processed organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite single crystal devices. Our approach uses common and well-established material combinations that are often used in polycrystalline thin film devices. The use of a polymer bezel allows easier processing of small crystals and the fabrication of solution-processed, free-standing perovskite single crystal devices. All in all these approaches can supplement other measurements of more fundamental material properties often requiring perovskite single crystals by rendering a photovoltaic characterization possible on the very same crystal with comparable material combinations as in thin film devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Schlipf
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Abdelrahman M Askar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Florian Pantle
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Benjamin D Wiltshire
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Anton Sura
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Peter Schneider
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Linus Huber
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Karthik Shankar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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6
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Cui J, Rodríguez-Rodríguez Á, Hernández M, García-Gutiérrez MC, Nogales A, Castillejo M, Moseguí González D, Müller-Buschbaum P, Ezquerra TA, Rebollar E. Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures on P3HT and on Its Photovoltaic Blend with PC 71BM. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:31894-31901. [PMID: 27805362 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b09053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe the conditions for optimal formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) over poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) spin-coated films. Optimal LIPSS on P3HT are observed within a particular range of thicknesses and laser fluences. These conditions can be translated to the photovoltaic blend formed by the 1:1 mixture of P3HT and [6,6]-phenyl C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) when deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode coated with (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Solar cells formed by using either a bilayer of P3HT structured by LIPSS covered by PC71BM or a bulk heterojunction with a P3HT:PC71BM blend structured by LIPSS exhibit generation of electrical photocurrent under light illumination. These results suggest that LIPSS could be a compatible technology with organic photovoltaic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cui
- Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC) , Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Margarita Hernández
- Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC) , Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Aurora Nogales
- Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC) , Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Castillejo
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC) , Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Moseguí González
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Tiberio A Ezquerra
- Instituto de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC) , Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Rebollar
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR-CSIC) , Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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7
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Wang W, Pröller S, Niedermeier MA, Körstgens V, Philipp M, Su B, Moseguí González D, Yu S, Roth SV, Müller-Buschbaum P. Development of the morphology during functional stack build-up of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells with inverted geometry. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:602-610. [PMID: 25495375 DOI: 10.1021/am5067749] [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
Highly efficient poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction solar cells are achieved by using an inverted geometry. The development of the morphology is investigated as a function of the multilayer stack assembling during the inverted solar cell preparation. Atomic force microscopy is used to reveal the surface morphology of each stack, and the inner structure is probed with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering. It is found that the smallest domain size of P3HT is introduced by replicating the fluorine-doped tin oxide structure underneath. The structure sizes of the P3HT:PCBM active layer are further optimized after thermal annealing. Compared to devices with standard geometry, the P3HT:PCBM layer in the inverted solar cells shows smaller domain sizes, which are much closer to the exciton diffusion length in the polymer. The decrease in domain sizes is identified as the main reason for the improvement of the device performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Wang
- Technische Universität München , Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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8
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Huang D, Li Y, Xu Z, Zhao S, Zhao L, Zhao J. Enhanced performance and morphological evolution of PTB7:PC71BM polymer solar cells by using solvent mixtures with different additives. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:8053-60. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cp05826g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The performance of PTB7:PC71BM solar cells was enhanced by using co-solvents, and their morphology was investigated by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Huang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
| | - Zheng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
| | - Suling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
| | - Jiao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information
- Beijing Jiaotong University
- Ministry of Education
- Beijing 100044
- P. R. China
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9
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Müller-Buschbaum P. The active layer morphology of organic solar cells probed with grazing incidence scattering techniques. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:7692-709. [PMID: 24677365 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS) provides unique insights into the morphology of active materials and thin film layers used in organic photovoltaic devices. With grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) the molecular arrangement of the material is probed. GIWAXS is sensitive to the crystalline parts and allows for the determination of the crystal structure and the orientation of the crystalline regions with respect to the electrodes. With grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) the nano-scale structure inside the films is probed. As GISAXS is sensitive to length scales from nanometers to several hundred nanometers, all relevant length scales of organic solar cells are detectable. After an introduction to GISAXS and GIWAXS, selected examples for application of both techniques to active layer materials are reviewed. The particular focus is on conjugated polymers, such as poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748, Garching, Germany; Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstraße 4, 80799, München, Germany
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10
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Li P, Wang G, Cai L, Ding B, Zhou D, Hu Y, Zhang Y, Xiang J, Wan K, Chen L, Alameh K, Song Q. High-efficiency inverted polymer solar cells controlled by the thickness of polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) interfacial layers. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:23792-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cp03484h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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11
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Soccio M, Alayo N, Martín-Fabiani I, Rueda DR, García-Gutiérrez MC, Rebollar E, Martínez-Tong DE, Pérez-Murano F, Ezquerra TA. On the assessment by grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering of replica quality in polymer gratings fabricated by nanoimprint lithography. J Appl Crystallogr 2014. [DOI: 10.1107/s160057671400168x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) can be used to characterize the replica quality of polymer gratings prepared by thermal nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Here it is shown using GISAXS experiments that a series of NIL polymer gratings with different line quality present characteristic features that can be associated with the level of defects per line. Both stamps and NIL polymer gratings exhibit characteristic semicircle-like GISAXS patterns. However NIL polymer gratings with defective lines exhibit GISAXS patterns with an excess of diffuse scattering as compared to those of the corresponding stamps. In a first approach, this effect is attributed to a reduction of the effective length of the lines diffracting coherently as the number of defects per line increases.
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12
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Role of additional PCBM layer between ZnO and photoactive layers in inverted bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4306. [PMID: 24603531 PMCID: PMC3945486 DOI: 10.1038/srep04306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to induce greater light absorption, nano-patterning is often applied to the metal-oxide buffer layer in inverted bulk-heterojunction(BHJ) solar cells. However, current homogeneity was significantly disturbed at the interface, leading to an efficiency that was not fully optimized. In this work, an additional PC61BM layer was inserted between the ZnO ripple and the photoactive layer to enhance the electron extraction. The insertion of additional PC61BM layer provided substantial advantages in the operation of inverted BHJ solar cells; specifically, it enhanced current homogeneity and lowered accumulation and trapping of photogenerated charges at the ZnO interface. Inclusion of the additional PC61BM layer led to effective quenching of electron-hole recombination by a reduction in the number of accumulated charges at the surface of ZnO ripples. This resulted in a 16% increase in the efficiency of inverted BHJ solar cells to 7.7%, compared to solar cells without the additional PC61BM layer.
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13
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Watanabe S, Fukuchi Y, Fukasawa M, Sassa T, Kimoto A, Tajima Y, Uchiyama M, Yamashita T, Matsumoto M, Aoyama T. In situ KPFM imaging of local photovoltaic characteristics of structured organic photovoltaic devices. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:1481-1487. [PMID: 24450927 DOI: 10.1021/am4038992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Here, we discuss the local photovoltaic characteristics of a structured bulk heterojunction, organic photovoltaic devices fabricated with a liquid carbazole, and a fullerene derivative based on analysis by scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Periodic photopolymerization induced by an interference pattern from two laser beams formed surface relief gratings (SRG) in the structured films. The surface potential distribution in the SRGs indicates the formation of donor and acceptor spatial distribution. Under illumination, the surface potential reversibly changed because of the generation of fullerene anions and hole transport from the films to substrates, which indicates that we successfully imaged the local photovoltaic characteristics of the structured photovoltaic devices. Using atomic force microscopy, we confirmed the formation of the SRG because of the material migration to the photopolymerized region of the films, which was induced by light exposure through photomasks. The structuring technique allows for the direct fabrication and the control of donor and acceptor spatial distribution in organic photonic and electronic devices with minimized material consumption. This in situ KPFM technique is indispensable to the fabrication of nanoscale electron donor and electron acceptor spatial distribution in the devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Watanabe
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science , 6-3-1 Niijuku, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan
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14
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Radivo A, Sovernigo E, Caputo M, Zilio SD, Endale T, Pozzato A, Goldoni A, Tormen M. Patterning PEDOT:PSS and tailoring its electronic properties by water-vapour-assisted nanoimprint lithography. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra04807e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanopatterning PEDOT:PSS by a water-vapour-assisted nanoimprinting process results in a strong enhancement of conductivity and decrease of work function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Radivo
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR
- Laboratorio TASC
- I-34149 Trieste, Italy
- University of Trieste
- I-34127 Trieste, Italia
| | - Enrico Sovernigo
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR
- Laboratorio TASC
- I-34149 Trieste, Italy
- ThunderNIL srl
- 35131 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Simone Dal Zilio
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR
- Laboratorio TASC
- I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Tsegaye Endale
- Department of Chemistry
- Addis Ababa University
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Massimo Tormen
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-CNR
- Laboratorio TASC
- I-34149 Trieste, Italy
- ThunderNIL srl
- 35131 Padova, Italy
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15
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Kim KD, Lim DC, Hu J, Kwon JD, Jeong MG, Seo HO, Lee JY, Jang KY, Lim JH, Lee KH, Jeong Y, Kim YD, Cho S. Surface modification of a ZnO electron-collecting layer using atomic layer deposition to fabricate high-performing inverted organic photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:8718-8723. [PMID: 23951998 DOI: 10.1021/am402403x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A ripple-structured ZnO film as the electron-collecting layer (ECL) of an inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) was modified by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to add a ZnO thin layer. Depositing a thin ZnO layer by ALD on wet-chemically prepared ZnO significantly increased the short-circuit current (Jsc) of the OPV. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.96% with Jsc of 17.9 mA/cm2 was observed in the inverted OPV with a 2-nm-thick ALD-ZnO layer, which quenched electron-hole recombination at surface defects of ZnO ripples. Moreover, an ALD-ZnO layer thinner than 2 nm made the distribution of electrical conductivity on the ZnO surface more uniform, enhancing OPV performance. In contrast, a thicker ALD-ZnO layer (5 nm) made the two-dimensional distribution of electrical conductivity on the ZnO surface more heterogeneous, reducing the PCE. In addition, depositing an ALD-ZnO thin layer enhanced OPV stability and initial performance. We suggest that the ALD-ZnO layer thickness should be precisely controlled to fabricate high-performing OPVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Dae Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon, 440-746, South Korea
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16
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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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17
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Biswas R, Timmons E. Nano-photonic light trapping near the Lambertian limit in organic solar cell architectures. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21 Suppl 5:A841-A846. [PMID: 24104579 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.00a841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A critical step to achieving higher efficiency solar cells is the broad band harvesting of solar photons. Although considerable progress has recently been achieved in improving the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells, these cells still do not absorb upto ~50% of the solar spectrum. We have designed and developed an organic solar cell architecture that can boost the absorption of photons by 40% and the photo-current by 50% for organic P3HT-PCBM absorber layers of typical device thicknesses. Our solar cell architecture is based on all layers of the solar cell being patterned in a conformal two-dimensionally periodic photonic crystal architecture. This results in very strong diffraction of photons- that increases the photon path length in the absorber layer, and plasmonic light concentration near the patterned organic-metal cathode interface. The absorption approaches the Lambertian limit. The simulations utilize a rigorous scattering matrix approach and provide bounds of the fundamental limits of nano-photonic light absorption in periodically textured organic solar cells. This solar cell architecture has the potential to increase the power conversion efficiency to 10% for single band gap organic solar cells utilizing long-wavelength absorbers.
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18
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Ruderer MA, Wang C, Schaible E, Hexemer A, Xu T, Müller-Buschbaum P. Morphology and Optical Properties of P3HT:MEH-CN-PPV Blend Films. Macromolecules 2013. [DOI: 10.1021/ma4006999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A. Ruderer
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle
Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching,
Germany
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light
Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Eric Schaible
- Advanced Light
Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alexander Hexemer
- Advanced Light
Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron
Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering and Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720,
United States
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle
Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse 1, 85748 Garching,
Germany
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