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Lassi E, Squeo BM, Sorrentino R, Scavia G, Mrakic-Sposta S, Gussoni M, Vercelli B, Galeotti F, Pasini M, Luzzati S. Sulfonate-Conjugated Polyelectrolytes as Anode Interfacial Layers in Inverted Organic Solar Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26030763. [PMID: 33540730 PMCID: PMC7867262 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conjugated polymers with ionic pendant groups (CPEs) are receiving increasing attention as solution-processed interfacial materials for organic solar cells (OSCs). Various anionic CPEs have been successfully used, on top of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) electrodes, as solution-processed anode interlayers (AILs) for conventional devices with direct geometry. However, the development of CPE AILs for OSC devices with inverted geometry is an important topic that still needs to be addressed. Here, we have designed three anionic CPEs bearing alkyl-potassium-sulfonate side chains. Their functional behavior as anode interlayers has been investigated in P3HT:PC61BM (poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester) devices with an inverted geometry, using a hole collecting silver electrode evaporated on top. Our results reveal that to obtain effective anode modification, the CPEs' conjugated backbone has to be tailored to grant self-doping and to have a good energy-level match with the photoactive layer. Furthermore, the sulfonate moieties not only ensure the solubility in polar orthogonal solvents, induce self-doping via a right choice of the conjugated backbone, but also play a role in the gaining of hole selectivity of the top silver electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lassi
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Benedetta Maria Squeo
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Roberto Sorrentino
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Guido Scavia
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Simona Mrakic-Sposta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, CNR-IFC, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, Italy;
| | - Maristella Gussoni
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Barbara Vercelli
- Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, National Research Council, CNR-ICMATE, Via Roberto Cozzi 53, 20125 Milan, Italy;
| | - Francesco Galeotti
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
| | - Mariacecilia Pasini
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (S.L.)
| | - Silvia Luzzati
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “G. Natta ”-SCITEC, National Research Council, CNR-SCITEC, via Corti 12, 20133 Milan, Italy; (E.L.); (B.M.S.); (R.S.); (G.S.); (M.G.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (S.L.)
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Liu X, Nie W, Tu D, Guo X, Li C. 2D Conjugated Polyelectrolytes Possessing Identical Backbone with Active-Layer Polymer as Cathode Interlayer for Organic Solar Cells. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e1900624. [PMID: 31977130 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A 2D conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE), PBDTTh-TT-NBr, having the same backbone as the highly efficient donor polymer PTB7-Th and the quaternary ammonium pendant, is synthesized as a cathode interlayer (CIL) material for PTB7-Th-based fullerene and non-fullerene solar cells. The quaternary ammonium group is connected to the 2D conjugated backbone by a long, flexible alkyl chain, facilitating the modification of cathode via forming interface dipoles. Moreover, compared with another CPE analogue to PTB7, PBDT-TT-NBr, without the 2D conjugated backbone, the PBDTTh-TT-NBr presents a higher similarity in polymer structure to the donor polymer PTB7-Th. This feature makes it more compatible with the PTB7-Th-based active-layer film, improving the electron transport. With the PBDTTh-TT-NBr as the CIL, devices afford higher performances than those using the PBDT-TT-NBr in both fullerene and non-fullerene systems. This work offers guidance on choosing the CIL material that ought to possess a highly similar structure to the active-layer component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dandan Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Can Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
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Carulli F, Scavia G, Lassi E, Pasini M, Galeotti F, Brovelli S, Giovanella U, Luzzati S. A bifunctional conjugated polyelectrolyte for the interfacial engineering of polymer solar cells. J Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 538:611-619. [PMID: 30553094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work a novel combination of side chain functionalities, alkyl-phosphonate (EP) and alkyl-ammonium bromide (NBr) groups, on a polyfluorene backbone (PF-NBr-EP) was studied as cathode interfacial material (CIM) in polymer-based solar cells. The devices were made with a conventional geometry, with PTB7:PC71 BM as active layer and aluminum as metal electrode. The CIM showed good solubility in ethanol and film forming ability onto the active layer so that its deposition could be finely tuned. The interface engineering imparted by this CIM was assessed and discussed through kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), impedance spectroscopy, charge recombination and electron transport characterizations. To discriminate between the interfacial modifications imparted by the interlayer and its solvent, we included in this study a surface ethanol treated device. In the optimized conditions an average power conversion efficiency of 7.24% was obtained, which is about 60% higher when compared to devices made with bare Al and 26% when compared to devices made with a standard calcium/aluminum cathode. Besides performances, some insights about the devices shelf life stability are also presented. A good persistency through aging was found for the cathode interfacial engineering capabilities of PF-NBr-EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Carulli
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, I-20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Guido Scavia
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Lassi
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Mariacecilia Pasini
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Galeotti
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Brovelli
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Via Cozzi 55, I-20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Umberto Giovanella
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Luzzati
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMac - CNR), Via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Song C, Liu X, Li X, Wang YC, Wan L, Sun X, Zhang W, Fang J. Perylene Diimide-Based Zwitterion as the Cathode Interlayer for High-Performance Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:14986-14992. [PMID: 29671565 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b01147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs) have earned widespread and intense interest on account of their properties such as tunable energy levels, potential for low-cost production processes, reduced energy losses, and strong light absorption coefficients. Here, a water-/alcohol-soluble zwitterion perylene diimide zwitterion (PDI-z) consisted of sulfobetaine ion as a terminal substituent and PDI as a conjugated core was synthesized. PDI-z was employed as an electron-transport layer (ETL) for nonfullerene PSC devices, obtaining an optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) above 11.23%. Moreover, nonfullerene PSCs with the PDI-z cathode interlayer displayed an excellent performance on a large scale of interlayer thickness, which was compatible with printing fabrication techniques. Additionally, the PDI-z interlayer presented good ability of modifying high work function metals (for instance, Au, Cu, and Ag) in nonfullerene devices, and the Ag device displayed a PCE of 9.38%. This work provides a good alternative ETL for high-efficiency nonfullerene PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjian Song
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , 19 A Yuquan Rd , Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
| | - Ying-Chiao Wang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
| | - Li Wan
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials , China Three Gorges University , Yichang 443002 , China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , 19 A Yuquan Rd , Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Junfeng Fang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , 19 A Yuquan Rd , Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 , China
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5
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Hsu HL, Chao YC, Liao YH, Chung CL, Peng YJ, Chen CP, Jeng RJ. Embedding a Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Cross-linking Interfacial Layer Enhances the Performance of Organic Photovoltaics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:8885-8892. [PMID: 29457715 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b17715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we prepared DPPBTDA, a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based small molecule presenting a terminal cross-linkable azido group, as a cathode modifying layer for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) having the inverted device structure glass/indium tin oxide/zinc oxide (ZnO) with or without the interfacial layer (IFL)/active layer/MoO3/Ag. The active layer comprising a blend of poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thien-2-yl)benzo[1,2- b;4,5- b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl- alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4- b]thiophene)-2-carboxylate-2,6-diyl] (PTB7-Th) as the electron donor and [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as the electron acceptor. Atomic force microscopy, space-charge-limited current mobility, surface energy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis depth profile, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, and OPV performance data revealed that the surface status of ZnO changed after inserting the DPPBTDA/PCBM hybrid IFL and induced an optimized blend morphology, having a preferred gradient distribution of the conjugated polymer and PC71BM, for efficient carrier transport. The power conversion efficiency (AM 1.5 G, 1000 W m-2) of the device incorporating the hybrid IFL increased to 9.4 ± 0.11% from 8.5 ± 0.15% for the preoptimized PTB7-Th/PCBM device (primarily because of an enhancement in the fill factor from 68.7 ± 1.1 to 72.1 ± 0.8%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Lin Hsu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering , National Taiwan University , Taipei 106 , Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Chao
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering , National Taiwan University , Taipei 106 , Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hua Liao
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering , National Taiwan University , Taipei 106 , Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lin Chung
- Department of Materials Engineering , Ming Chi University of Technology , New Taipei City 243 , Taiwan
| | - Ya-Juan Peng
- Department of Materials Engineering , Ming Chi University of Technology , New Taipei City 243 , Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ping Chen
- Department of Materials Engineering , Ming Chi University of Technology , New Taipei City 243 , Taiwan
| | - Ru-Jong Jeng
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering , National Taiwan University , Taipei 106 , Taiwan
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6
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Brebels J, Kesters J, Defour M, Pirotte G, Van Mele B, Manca J, Lutsen L, Vanderzande D, Maes W. A PCPDTTPD-based narrow bandgap conjugated polyelectrolyte for organic solar cells. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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7
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Wu M, Zhou J, Luo Y, Zheng N, Wang C, Liu L, Xie Z, Ma Y. Construction of J-type aggregates as multi-functional interlayers for nonfullerene polymer solar cells. Org Chem Front 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8qo00934a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-absorbing J-aggregates: a new strategy to develop high performance cathode interlayers with solar concentrating functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minming Wu
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Jiadong Zhou
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Yinqi Luo
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Nan Zheng
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Cong Wang
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Linlin Liu
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Zengqi Xie
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
| | - Yuguang Ma
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices
- South China University of Technology
- Guangzhou 510640
- P. R. China
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