Boosting the Performance of Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Triphenylamine-Based Organic Solar Cells via π-Linker Engineering

The design and development of novel and efficient donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) type conjugated systems has attracted substantial interest in the field of organic electronics owing to their intriguing properties. In this paper, we have designed seven new and efficient D-π-A type conjugated systems (M1-M7) by a variety of π-linkers with triphenylamine (TPA) as the electron donor and diphenyldiketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) as the electron acceptor using density functional theory (DFT) formalism for organic solar cells (OSCs). The π-linker has been substituted between the donor and acceptor for efficient electron transfer. Here, our primary focus is on narrowing the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps, electronic transition, charge transfer rate, reorganization energies, and the theoretical power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Our study reveals that the designed compounds exhibit excellent charge transfer rates. The absorption properties of the compounds have been examined using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method. The TD-DFT study shows that compound M2 possesses the highest absorption maxima with a maximum bathochromic shift. For a better understanding of the electron transport process of our designed compounds, we have designed donor/acceptor (D/A) blends, and each of the developed blends (FREA/M1-M7) can encourage charge carrier separation. According to the photovoltaic performance of the D/A blends, compound FREA-M2, which has a theoretical PCE of 16.53%, is the most appealing choice for use in OSCs. We expect that by thoroughly examining the relationship between structure, characteristics, and performance, this work will serve as a roadmap for future research and development of TPA-DPP-based photovoltaic materials.

Fused Double Donor Design with a Cross-Conjugated Dibenzosilin for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) can provide a clean energy solution to growing energy demands. In order to have devices of high performance, sensitizers that are able to absorb in the near-infrared region (NIR) are needed. Stronger electron donors are needed for intramolecular charge-transfer sensitizers to access longer wavelength photons. Thus, two novel organic dyes with a cross-conjugated dibenzosilin double donor design are studied herein. The double donor delocalizes multiple filled orbitals across both amine donors due to the fused design that planarizes the donor as observed computationally, which improves intramolecular charge-transfer strength. The dyes are studied via density functional theory (DFT), optical spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and in DSC devices. The studies indicate that the dye design can reduce recombination losses, allowing for improved DSC device performances relative to a single arylamine donor. The reduction in recombination losses is attributed to the six alkyl chains that are incorporated into the donor, which offer good surface protection.

Theoretical Study of the Effect of π-Bridge on Optical and Electronic Properties of Carbazole-Based Sensitizers for DSSCs

Eight novel metal-free organic sensitizers were proposed for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), theoretically calculated and studied via density functional theory with D-π-A structure. These proposals were formed to study the effect of novel π-bridges, using carbazole as the donor group and cyanoacrylic acid as the anchorage group. Through the M06/6-31G(d) level of theory, ground state geometry optimization, vibrational frequencies, the highest occupied molecular orbital, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and their energy levels were calculated. Further, chemical reactivity parameters were obtained and analyzed, such as chemical hardness (η), electrophilicity index (ω), electroaccepting power (ω+) and electrodonating power (ω-). Free energy of electron injection (ΔGinj) and light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) also were calculated and discussed. On the other hand, absorption wavelengths, oscillator strengths, and electron transitions were calculated through time-dependent density functional theory with the M06-2X/6-31G(d) level of theory. In conclusion, the inclusion of thiophene groups and the Si heteroatom in the π-bridge improved charge transfer, chemical stability, and other optoelectronic properties of carbazole-based dyes.

Improved performance of dye-sensitized solar cells upon sintering of a PEDOT cathode at various temperatures

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) thin films have attracted considerable attention as cathodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their air-stable, light-weight and conductive nature. To demonstrate their thermal stability as cathodes, PEDOT thin films coated via electrochemical polymerization on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) plates were sintered at different temperatures (50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 °C) for 1 h and a comparison was made with the as-prepared PEDOT thin films. We observed a negative temperature coefficient effect up to 200 °C along with lower surface roughness upon increasing the sintering temperature. Dye solar cells were fabricated using PEDOT thin films (sintered at different temperatures) and as-prepared PEDOT cathodes, and their respective performances were studied. The results showed increased efficiency with the increase in sintering temperatures of the cathode up to 200 °C (η = 4.33%) under the present experimental conditions. Cathodes sintered at 300 °C had poor electrochemical behavior and J-V performance, which may be due to polymer degradation.

Molecular Engineering of Simple Metal-Free Organic Dyes Derived from Triphenylamine for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

Two new metal-free organic sensitizers, L156 and L224, were designed, synthesized, and characterized for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The structures of the dyes contain a triphenylamine (TPA) segment and 4-(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-4-yl)benzoic acid as electron-rich and -deficient moieties, respectively. Two different π bridges, thiophene and 4,8-bis(4-hexylphenyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene, were used for L156 and L224, respectively. The influence of iodide/triiodide, [Co(bpy)₃ ]^2+/3+ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), and [Cu(tmby)₂ ]^2+/+ (tmby=4,4',6,6'-tetramethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) complexes as redox electrolytes and 18 NR-T and 30 NR-D transparent TiO₂ films on the DSC device performance was investigated. The L156-based DSC with [Cu(tmby)₂ ]^2+/+ complexes as the redox electrolyte resulted in the best performance of 9.26 % and a remarkably high open-circuit voltage value of 1.1 V (1.096 V), with a short-circuit current of 12.2 mA cm^-2 and a fill factor of 0.692, by using 30 NR-D TiO₂ films. An efficiency of up to 21.9 % was achieved under a 1000 lx indoor light source, which proved that dye L156 was also an excellent candidate for indoor applications. The maximal monochromatic incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency of L156-30 NR-D reached up to 70 %.

Effect of π-spacers and anchoring groups on the photovoltaic performances of ullazine-based dyes

Three ullazine-based organic sensitizers were designed, synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The tuning of π-spacers and anchoring groups led to a variation of the photovoltaic performances.

A new sensitizer containing dihexyloxy-substituted triphenylamine as donor and a binary conjugated spacer for dye-sensitized solar cells

A new D–π–A dye based on dihexyloxy-substituted triphenylamine moiety has been synthesized and its preliminary performances in DSSCs are reported.

2-Diphenylaminothiophene as the donor of porphyrin sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Four porphyrin dyes containing 2-diphenylaminothiophene were synthesized, and the 4-ethynylbenzoic acid based dye YQ1 exhibited the highest efficiency of 6.01%.

Approach to tune short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage of dye-sensitized solar cells: π-linker modification and photoanode selection

The modification of the π-linker of cyclic thiourea functionalized dyes has a significant effect on the short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage of dye-sensitized solar cells.