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Hupman MA, Hill IG, Syme A. Measuring small field profiles and output factors with a stemless plastic scintillator array. Med Phys 2021; 49:624-631. [PMID: 34792193 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To fabricate a 1D stemless plastic scintillation detector (SPSD) array using organic photodiodes and to use the detector to measure small field profiles and output factors. METHODS An organic photodiode array was fabricated by spin coating a mixture of P3HT and PCBM organic semiconductors onto an ITO-coated glass substrate and depositing aluminum top contacts. Four bulk scintillators of various dimensions were placed on top of the photodiode array. A fifth scintillator was used that had been segmented by laser etching and the septa filled with black paint. Each detector array was first calibrated using a reference field of 95 cm SSD, 5 cm depth, and 10 × 10 cm2 field size for a 6 MV photon beam. After calibration, profiles were measured for three small field sizes: 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 , 1 × 1 cm2 , and 2 × 2 cm2 . Using the central pixel of the array, output factors were measured for field sizes of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 to 25 × 25 cm2 . Small field profiles were compared to film measurements and output factors compared to ion chamber measurements. RESULTS The segmented scintillator measured profiles that were in good agreement with film for all three field sizes. Output factors agreed to within 1.2% of ion chamber over the field size range of 1 × 1 cm2 to 25 × 25 cm2 . At 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 the segmented scintillator underestimated the output factor compared to film and a microDiamond detector. Bulk scintillators failed to produce a good agreement with film for measured profiles and deviations from ion chamber for output factors were apparent at field sizes below 5 × 5 cm2 . In comparison to a bulk scintillator of dimensions 5 × 5 × 0.5 cm3 the etched scintillator saw a reduction of 5.1, 7.1, and 10.5 times the signal for field sizes of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 , 1 × 1 cm2 , and 2 × 2 cm2 , respectively. The reduction of signal comes from reduced cross-talk that was present in all of the bulk scintillator geometries to various degrees. CONCLUSION A 1D SPSD array was demonstrated with various scintillator designs. The etched scintillator array demonstrated excellent small field profile measurements when compared to film and output factors (down to 1 × 1 cm2 field size) when compared to micro ion chamber and diamond detector measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hupman
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Alasdair Syme
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health Authority, QEII Health Science Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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2
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Hupman MA, Valitova I, Hill IG, Syme A. Method for the differentiation of radiation-induced photocurrent from total measured current in P3HT/PCBM BHJ photodiodes. MethodsX 2020; 7:101125. [PMID: 33665146 PMCID: PMC7897711 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.101125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thin film radiation-detecting diodes fabricated in the laboratory, such as an organic bulk heterojunction, often contain conductive leads, indium tin oxide traces and metallic interconnects which are exposed to the high-energy photon beam during operation. These components generate extraneous radiation-induced currents, that, if not accounted for, will erroneously be attributed to the detector. In commercial devices, these contributions are mitigated by minimizing the size of these components, an approach that is often not feasible in a research lab. Here we demonstrate a method to measure these extraneous signals, and by subtraction, correct the gross signal to accurately reflect the signal generated in the active volume of the diode itself. The method can effectively correct the extraneous signal. The method showed promise over a range of photon beam energies, dose rates, and field sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hupman
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Irina Valitova
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alasdair Syme
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health Authority, QEII Health Science Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 1V7, Canada
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3
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Hupman MA, Monajemi T, Valitova I, Hill IG, Syme A. Fabrication and characterization of a stemless plastic scintillation detector. Med Phys 2020; 47:5882-5889. [PMID: 32966652 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To fabricate a stemless plastic scintillation detector (SPSD) and characterize its linearity and reproducibility, and its dependence on energy and dose per pulse; and to apply it to clinical PDD and output factor measurements. METHODS An organic bulk heterojunction photodiode was fabricated by spin coating a blend of P3HT and PCBM onto an ITO-coated glass substrate and depositing aluminum top contacts. Eljen scintillators (~5 × 5 × 5 mm3 ; EJ-204, EJ-208, and EJ-260) or Saint-Gobain scintillators (~3 × 3 × 2 mm3 ; BC-400 and BC-412) were placed on the opposite side of the glass using a silicone grease (optical coupling agent) creating the SPSD. Energy dependence was measured by using 100, 180, and 300 kVp photon beams from an orthovoltage treatment unit (Xstrahl 300) and 6 and 10 MV photons from a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator. Linearity, dose per pulse dependence, output factors, and PDDs were measured using a 6 MV photon beam. PDDs and output factors were compared to ion chamber measurements. A control device was fabricated by substituting polystyrene (PS) for the P3HT/PCBM layer. No photocurrent should be generated in the control device and so any current measured is due to Compton current in the electrodes, wires, and surroundings from the irradiation. Output factors were corrected by subtracting the signal measured using the control device from the photodiode measured signal to yield the photocurrent. RESULTS Each SPSD had excellent linearity with dose having an r2 of 1 and sensitivities of 1.07 nC/cGy, 1.04 nC/cGy, 1.00 nC/cGy and 0.10 nC/cGy, and 0.10 nC/cGy for EJ-204, EJ-208, EJ-260 (5 × 5 × 5 mm3 volumes), BC-400, and BC-412 (3 × 3 × 2 mm3 volumes), respectively. No significant dose per pulse dependence was measured. Output factors matched within 1% for the large scintillators for field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 to 25 × 25 cm2 , but there was a large under-response at field sizes below 3 × 3 cm2 . After correcting the signal of the small scintillators by subtracting the current measured using the PS control, the output factors agreed with the ion chamber measurements within 1% from field sizes 1 × 1 cm2 to 20 × 20 cm2 . The impact of Cerenkov emissions in the scintillator was effectively corrected with a simple reflective coating on the scintillator. In comparison to a 6 MV photon beam, the large scintillator SPSDs exhibited 37%, 52%, and 73% of the response at energies 100 kVp, 180 kVp and 300 kVp, respectively. CONCLUSION The principle of the SPSD was demonstrated. Devices had excellent linearity, reproducibility, and no significant dose per pulse dependence, and a simple reflective coating was sufficient to correct for Cerenkov emissions from within the scintillator. The devices demonstrated similar energy dependence to other scintillator detectors used in a radiotherapy setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hupman
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Thalat Monajemi
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health Authority, QEII Health Science Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V7, Canada
| | - Irina Valitova
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alasdair Syme
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health Authority, QEII Health Science Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V7, Canada
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Mainville M, Tremblay V, Fenniri MZ, Laventure A, Farahat ME, Ambrose R, Welch GC, Hill IG, Leclerc M. Water Compatible Direct (Hetero)arylation Polymerization of PPDT2FBT: A Pathway Towards Large‐Scale Production of Organic Solar Cells. ASIAN J ORG CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.202000231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Mainville
- Department of ChemistryUniversité Laval 1046 Avenue de la medecine Quebec City G1V 0A6 (QC Canada
| | - Vicky Tremblay
- Department of ChemistryUniversité Laval 1046 Avenue de la medecine Quebec City G1V 0A6 (QC Canada
| | - Miriam Z. Fenniri
- Department of ChemistryUniversité Laval 1046 Avenue de la medecine Quebec City G1V 0A6 (QC Canada
| | - Audrey Laventure
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary T2N 1N4 (AB Canada
| | - Mahmoud E. Farahat
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary T2N 1N4 (AB Canada
| | - Ryan Ambrose
- Department of Physics & Atmospheric ScienceDalhousie University 6310 Coburg Road Halifax B3H 4R2 (NS Canada
| | - Gregory C. Welch
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary T2N 1N4 (AB Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics & Atmospheric ScienceDalhousie University 6310 Coburg Road Halifax B3H 4R2 (NS Canada
| | - Mario Leclerc
- Department of ChemistryUniversité Laval 1046 Avenue de la medecine Quebec City G1V 0A6 (QC Canada
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March SA, Riley DB, Clegg C, Webber D, Hill IG, Yu ZG, Hall KC. Ultrafast acoustic phonon scattering in CH3NH3PbI3 revealed by femtosecond four-wave mixing. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:144702. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5120385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. March
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Drew B. Riley
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Charlotte Clegg
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Daniel Webber
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Zhi-Gang Yu
- Washington State University, Spokane, Washington 99210, USA
| | - Kimberley C. Hall
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
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7
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Roy C, Bura T, Beaupré S, Légaré MA, Sun JP, Hill IG, Leclerc M. Fluorinated Thiophene-Based Synthons: Polymerization of 1,4-Dialkoxybenzene and Fluorinated Dithieno-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole by Direct Heteroarylation. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Roy
- Canada
Research Chair on Electroactive and Photoactive Polymers, Department
of Chemistry, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Thomas Bura
- Canada
Research Chair on Electroactive and Photoactive Polymers, Department
of Chemistry, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Serge Beaupré
- Canada
Research Chair on Electroactive and Photoactive Polymers, Department
of Chemistry, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marc-André Légaré
- Institut
für Anorganische Chemie, Julius-Maximilians Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jon-Paul Sun
- Department
of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department
of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Mario Leclerc
- Canada
Research Chair on Electroactive and Photoactive Polymers, Department
of Chemistry, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec G1V 0A6, Canada
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8
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March SA, Clegg C, Riley DB, Webber D, Hill IG, Hall KC. Simultaneous observation of free and defect-bound excitons in CH 3NH 3PbI 3 using four-wave mixing spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39139. [PMID: 27974815 PMCID: PMC5156914 DOI: 10.1038/srep39139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Solar cells incorporating organic-inorganic perovskite, which may be fabricated using low-cost solution-based processing, have witnessed a dramatic rise in efficiencies yet their fundamental photophysical properties are not well understood. The exciton binding energy, central to the charge collection process, has been the subject of considerable controversy due to subtleties in extracting it from conventional linear spectroscopy techniques due to strong broadening tied to disorder. Here we report the simultaneous observation of free and defect-bound excitons in CH3NH3PbI3 films using four-wave mixing (FWM) spectroscopy. Due to the high sensitivity of FWM to excitons, tied to their longer coherence decay times than unbound electron- hole pairs, we show that the exciton resonance energies can be directly observed from the nonlinear optical spectra. Our results indicate low-temperature binding energies of 13 meV (29 meV) for the free (defect-bound) exciton, with the 16 meV localization energy for excitons attributed to binding to point defects. Our findings shed light on the wide range of binding energies (2–55 meV) reported in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A March
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Charlotte Clegg
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Drew B Riley
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Daniel Webber
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Kimberley C Hall
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
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9
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Abstract
Three low-cost propeller-shaped small molecules based on a triphenylamine core and the high-performance donor molecule 7,7′-[4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-silolo[3,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]bis[6-fluoro-4-(5′-hexyl-[2,2′-bithiophen]-5-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole] (DTS(FBTTh2)2) were investigated as hole-transporting materials in perovskite solar cells. Each hole-transporting material was designed with highly modular side arms, allowing for different bandgaps and thin-film properties while maintaining a consistent binding energy of the highest occupied molecular orbitals to facilitate hole extraction from the perovskite active layer. Perovskite solar cell devices were fabricated with each of the three triphenylamine-based hole-transporting materials and DTS(FBTTh2)2 and were compared to devices with 2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) hole-transporting layers. Each of our triphenylamine hole-transporting materials and DTS(FBTTh2)2 displayed surface morphologies that were considerably rougher than that of spiro-OMeTAD; a factor that may contribute to lower device performance. It was found that using inert, insulating polymers as additives with DTS(FBTTh2)2 reduced the surface roughness, resulting in devices with higher photocurrents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Namespetra
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Arthur D. Hendsbee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gregory C. Welch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Sciences, Dalhousie University, 6310 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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10
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Abstract
Sequentially spin-coated inverted perovskite solar cells were constructed with systematically varied concentrations of water in the PbI2precursor solution. Surprisingly, small concentrations of water improved long-term stability, although with lower initial efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Clegg
- Dalhousie University
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science
- Halifax
- Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Dalhousie University
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science
- Halifax
- Canada
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Namepetra A, Kitching E, Eftaiha AF, Hill IG, Welch GC. Understanding the morphology of solution processed fullerene-free small molecule bulk heterojunction blends. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:12476-85. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp01269h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The impact of processing conditions on the morphological characteristics of bulk-heterojunction molecular blends prepared from small molecules based on diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and perylene-diimide (PDI) chromophores have been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Namepetra
- Department of Physics
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
- Department of Chemistry
| | | | - Ala'a F. Eftaiha
- Department of Chemistry
- The Hashemite University
- Zarqa 13115
- Jordan
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
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12
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Masala S, Adinolfi V, Sun JP, Del Gobbo S, Voznyy O, Kramer IJ, Hill IG, Sargent EH. The Silicon:Colloidal Quantum Dot Heterojunction. Adv Mater 2015; 27:7445-50. [PMID: 26460732 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201503212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A heterojunction between crystalline silicon and colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) is realized. A special interface modification is developed to overcome an inherent energetic band mismatch between the two semiconductors, and realize the efficient collection of infrared photocarriers generated in the CQD film. This junction is used to produce a sensitive near infrared photodetector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Masala
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Valerio Adinolfi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Jon-Paul Sun
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, 1459, Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Silvano Del Gobbo
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Oleksandr Voznyy
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Illan J Kramer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, 1459, Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Edward H Sargent
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4, Canada
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13
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Xu J, Buin A, Ip AH, Li W, Voznyy O, Comin R, Yuan M, Jeon S, Ning Z, McDowell JJ, Kanjanaboos P, Sun JP, Lan X, Quan LN, Kim DH, Hill IG, Maksymovych P, Sargent EH. Perovskite-fullerene hybrid materials suppress hysteresis in planar diodes. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7081. [PMID: 25953105 PMCID: PMC4432582 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 847] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Solution-processed planar perovskite devices are highly desirable in a wide variety of optoelectronic applications; however, they are prone to hysteresis and current instabilities. Here we report the first perovskite-PCBM hybrid solid with significantly reduced hysteresis and recombination loss achieved in a single step. This new material displays an efficient electrically coupled microstructure: PCBM is homogeneously distributed throughout the film at perovskite grain boundaries. The PCBM passivates the key PbI3(-) antisite defects during the perovskite self-assembly, as revealed by theory and experiment. Photoluminescence transient spectroscopy proves that the PCBM phase promotes electron extraction. We showcase this mixed material in planar solar cells that feature low hysteresis and enhanced photovoltage. Using conductive AFM studies, we reveal the memristive properties of perovskite films. We close by positing that PCBM, by tying up both halide-rich antisites and unincorporated halides, reduces electric field-induced anion migration that may give rise to hysteresis and unstable diode behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixian Xu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Andrei Buin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Alexander H Ip
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Oleksandr Voznyy
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Riccardo Comin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Mingjian Yuan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Seokmin Jeon
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Zhijun Ning
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Jeffrey J McDowell
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Jon-Paul Sun
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Room 319, Dunn Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Xinzheng Lan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Li Na Quan
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea
| | - Dong Ha Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea
| | - Ian G Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Room 319, Dunn Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Peter Maksymovych
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
| | - Edward H Sargent
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
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McAfee SM, Topple JM, Payne AJ, Sun JP, Hill IG, Welch GC. Back Cover: An Electron-Deficient Small Molecule Accessible from Sustainable Synthesis and Building Blocks for Use as a Fullerene Alternative in Organic Photovoltaics (ChemPhysChem 6/2015). Chemphyschem 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201590033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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McAfee SM, Topple JM, Sun JP, Hill IG, Welch GC. The structural evolution of an isoindigo-based non-fullerene acceptor for use in organic photovoltaics. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra16696a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural evolution of an isoindigo molecule acceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth M. McAfee
- Department of Chemistry
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
| | | | - Jon-Paul Sun
- Department of Physics
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
| | - Gregory C. Welch
- Department of Chemistry
- Dalhousie University
- Halifax
- Canada B3H 4R2
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McAfee SM, Topple JM, Payne AJ, Sun JP, Hill IG, Welch GC. An Electron-Deficient Small Molecule Accessible from Sustainable Synthesis and Building Blocks for Use as a Fullerene Alternative in Organic Photovoltaics. Chemphyschem 2014; 16:1190-202. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201402662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Eftaiha AF, Sun JP, Hendsbee AD, Macaulay C, Hill IG, Welch GC. High open circuit voltage organic solar cells based upon fullerene free bulk heterojunction active layers. CAN J CHEM 2014. [DOI: 10.1139/cjc-2014-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have recently reported on a small organic molecule containing a bithiophene core with end-capping phthalimide units (PthTh2Pth) that exhibited a H-aggregation tendency in the solid state and high electron mobility in organic field effect transistors. In this contribution, we have studied both the physical and electrical properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and PthTh2Pth thin films by measuring the optical absorption, Frontier molecular orbital energy levels, photoluminescence quenching, thermal properties, and photovoltaic response. Our results have provided a useful insight into the use of PthTh2Pth as an electron acceptor material for organic photovoltaic applications. In comparison with high-performance, fullerene-based, solution-processed bulk heterojunction solar cells reported in the literature, a relatively high open circuit voltage (∼0.94 V) was obtained for various donor–acceptor blend ratios. These results highlight the potential for PthTh2Pth to act as an alternative to fullerenes as acceptors in organic solar cell devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala’a F. Eftaiha
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, 1459 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Jon-Paul Sun
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, 1459 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Arthur D. Hendsbee
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Casper Macaulay
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, 1459 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Gregory C. Welch
- Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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McDowell MG, Hill IG. Rapid thermal conductivity measurements for combinatorial thin films. Rev Sci Instrum 2013; 84:053906. [PMID: 23742565 DOI: 10.1063/1.4807898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A simple and inexpensive automated method for determining the thermal conductivity of a combinatorial library of thin films is demonstrated by measuring the thermal conductivity of a sputtered silicon dioxide film of varying thickness deposited on single crystal silicon. Using 3ω measurements, two methods for calculating the substrate thermal conductivity and two methods for determining the film thermal conductivity are demonstrated and compared. The substrate thermal conductivity was found to be 139 ± 3 W/m·K. Using the measured variation in film thickness, the film thermal conductivity was found to be 1.11 ± 0.05 W/m·K, in excellent agreement with published values for sputtered SiO2, demonstrating the accuracy of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G McDowell
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
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Liao KC, Anwar H, Hill IG, Vertelov GK, Schwartz J. Comparative interface metrics for metal-free monolayer-based dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2012; 4:6735-6746. [PMID: 23143856 DOI: 10.1021/am301907z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The first quantitative comparison between self-assembled monolayers of homologous carboxylate- and phosphonate-terminated organic dyes that are of use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. (Cyanovinyl)phosphonate-terminated oligothiophenes and (cyanovinyl)carboxylate-terminated oligothiophenes were synthesized on TiO(2) thin film electrodes. Structurally analogous organics were compared for the effect of the anchoring groups on photochemical properties in solution as measured by UV/vis spectroscopy and for reactivity with the electrode surface. Monolayers were grown on the TiO(2) electrodes either by "tethering by aggregation and growth" (T-BAG) or by solution dipping. Surface roughness and homogeneity, elemental composition, and thickness of the monolayers were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ellipsometry. Molecular loadings for each monolayer on TiO(2) were quantified by quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM), and the stability of bonding between each class of dyes and the TiO(2) was evaluated by measuring desorption, also by QCM; the carboxylates underwent significant dissociation in aqueous media but the phosphonates did not. DSSCs were prepared from each congener and from simple oligothiophene phosphonates to determine the effect of the cyanovinyl group on device behavior; all DSSCs were studied under irradiation from a AM 1.5G solar light source; the effect of cyanovinyl group termination was comparable to that of adding a thiophene moiety, and the DSSC using a self-assembled monolayer of (sexithiophene)phosphonate (6TP) had total power conversion efficiency (η) of ca. 5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kung-Ching Liao
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
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Liao KC, Ismail AG, Kreplak L, Schwartz J, Hill IG. Designed organophosphonate self-assembled monolayers enhance device performance of pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors. Adv Mater 2010; 22:3081-3085. [PMID: 20533424 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201001310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kung-Ching Liao
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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Colbourne TR, Hill IG, Kreplak L. Electric Field Induced Assembly of Vimentin Microscaffolds around Metallic Electrodes. Biomacromolecules 2009; 10:1986-91. [DOI: 10.1021/bm900398n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Terry R. Colbourne
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5, Canada
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5, Canada
| | - Laurent Kreplak
- Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5, Canada
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McDermott JE, McDowell M, Hill IG, Hwang J, Kahn A, Bernasek SL, Schwartz J. Organophosphonate self-assembled monolayers for gate dielectric surface modification of pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors: a comparative study. J Phys Chem A 2007; 111:12333-8. [PMID: 17997528 DOI: 10.1021/jp075177v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Organic thin-film transistors using pentacene as the semiconductor were fabricated on silicon. A series of phosphonate-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) was used as a buffer between the silicon dioxide gate dielectric and the active pentacene channel region. Octadecylphosphonate, (quarterthiophene)phosphonate, and (9-anthracene)phosphonate SAMs were examined. Significant improvements in the sub-threshold slope and threshold voltage were observed for each SAM treatment as compared to control devices fabricated without the buffer. These improvements were related to structural motif relationships between the pentacene semiconductor and the SAM constituents. Measured transistor properties were consistent with a reduction in density of charge trapping states at the semiconductor-dielectric interface that was effected by introduction of the self-assembled monolayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E McDermott
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongfei Shen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263 Department of Chemistry, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1009
| | - Ian G. Hill
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263 Department of Chemistry, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1009
| | - Antoine Kahn
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263 Department of Chemistry, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1009
| | - Jeffrey Schwartz
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-5263 Department of Chemistry, Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1009
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Hill IG. Must we Wear Out? Can Fam Physician 1969; 15:15-23. [PMID: 20468442 PMCID: PMC2281547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
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