| 1. |
- Chen, Xian-Kai, et al.
(författare)
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A unified description of non-radiative voltage losses in organic solar cells
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nature Energy. - : Springer Nature. - 2058-7546. ; 6:8, s. 799-806
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Organic solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors have enabled high efficiencies yet their charge dynamics and its impact on the photovoltaic parameters are not fully understood. Now, Chen et al. provide a general description of non-radiative voltage losses in both fullerene and non-fullerene solar cells. Recent advances in organic solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) come with reduced non-radiative voltage losses (Delta V-nr). Here we show that, in contrast to the energy-gap-law dependence observed in conventional donor:fullerene blends, the Delta V-nr values in state-of-the-art donor:NFA organic solar cells show no correlation with the energies of charge-transfer electronic states at donor:acceptor interfaces. By combining temperature-dependent electroluminescence experiments and dynamic vibronic simulations, we provide a unified description of Delta V-nr for both fullerene- and NFA-based devices. We highlight the critical role that the thermal population of local exciton states plays in low-Delta V-nr systems. An important finding is that the photoluminescence yield of the pristine materials defines the lower limit of Delta V-nr. We also demonstrate that the reduction in Delta V-nr (for example, <0.2 V) can be obtained without sacrificing charge generation efficiency. Our work suggests designing donor and acceptor materials with high luminescence efficiency and complementary optical absorption bands extending into the near-infrared region.
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| 2. |
- Cheng, Hao-Wen, et al.
(författare)
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Realizing Efficient Charge/Energy Transfer and Charge Extraction in Fullerene-Free Organic Photovoltaics via a Versatile Third Component
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nano letters (Print). - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1530-6984 .- 1530-6992. ; 19:8, s. 5053-5061
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solution-processed organic photovoltaics (OPVs) based on bulk-heterojunctions have gained significant attention to alleviate the increasing demend of fossil fuel in the past two decades. OPVs combined of a wide bandgap polymer donor and a narrow bandgap nonfullerene acceptor show potential to achieve high performance. However, there are still two reasons to limit the OPVs performance. One, although this combination can expand from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared region, the overall external quantum efficiency of the device suffers low values. The other one is the low open-circuit voltage (V-OC) of devices resulting from the relatively downshifted lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the narrow bandgap. Herein, the approach to select and incorporate a versatile third component into the active layer is reported. A third component with a bandgap larger than that of the acceptor, and absorption spectra and LUMO levels lying within that of the donor and acceptor, is demonstrated to be effective to conquer these issues. As a result, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are enhanced by the elevated short-circuit current and V-OC; the champion PCEs are 11.1% and 13.1% for PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F based and PBDB-T:Y1 based solar cells, respectively.
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| 3. |
- Hart, Lucy J. F., et al.
(författare)
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Understanding the Role of Triplet-Triplet Annihilation in Non-Fullerene Acceptor Organic Solar Cells
- 2023
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Ingår i: Advanced Energy Materials. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 1614-6832 .- 1614-6840. ; 13:36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have enabled power conversion efficiencies exceeding 19% in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the open-circuit voltage of OSCs remains low relative to their optical gap due to excessive non-radiative recombination, and this now limits performance. Here, an important aspect of OSC design is considered, namely management of the triplet exciton population formed after non-geminate charge recombination. By comparing the blends PM6:Y11 and PM6:Y6, it is shown that the greater crystallinity of the NFA domains in PM6:Y11 leads to a higher rate of triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA). This is attributed to the four times larger ground state dipole moment of Y11 versus Y6, which improves the long range NFA out-of-plane ordering. Since TTA converts a fraction of the non-emissive triplet states into bright singlet states, it has the potential to reduce non-radiative voltage losses. Through a kinetic analysis of the recombination processes under 1-Sun illumination, a framework is provided for determining the conditions under which TTA may improve OSC performance. If these could be satisfied, TTA has the potential to reduce non-radiative voltage losses by up to several tens of millivolts.
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| 4. |
- Jasiunas, Rokas, et al.
(författare)
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From Generation to Extraction: A Time-Resolved Investigation of Photophysical Processes in Non-fullerene Organic Solar Cells
- 2020
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Ingår i: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 124:39, s. 21283-21292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-fullerene organic solar cells (NFOSCs) demonstrate record efficiencies exceeding 16%. In comparison with cells with the fullerene-based acceptor, the NFOSCs benefit from a longer wavelength absorption, which leads to a small highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level offset. Here, we use several advanced transient investigation techniques, covering timescale from sub-ps to mu s, to address all sequence of processes starting from photoexcitation of donors or acceptors to carrier extraction in several NFOSCs and cells with phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Though small offsets result in higher open-circuit voltage, we show that at the same time, it limits cell performance because of inefficient hole transfer from excited acceptors to donors and enhanced geminate recombination. We demonstrate that 100 meV HOMO level offset and proper acceptor molecule structures are sufficient for efficient hole transfer (>70%) and for reduction of the geminate recombination losses down to about 20%. Subsequent extraction of unbound charge carriers in all NFOSCs is slightly faster than in cells with PCBM, while non-geminate carrier recombination causing additional losses is slightly slower in the best performing NFOSCs than in cells with PCBM.
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| 5. |
- Kniepert, Juliane, et al.
(författare)
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Reliability of charge carrier recombination data determined with charge extraction methods
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AMER INST PHYSICS. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 126:20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Charge extraction methods are popular for measuring the charge carrier density in thin film organic solar cells and to draw conclusions about the order and coefficient of nongeminate charge recombination. However, results from such studies may be falsified by inhomogeneous steady state carrier profiles or surface recombination. Here, we present a detailed drift-diffusion study of two charge extraction methods, bias-assisted charge extraction (BACE) and time-delayed collection field (TDCF). Simulations are performed over a wide range of the relevant parameters. Our simulations reveal that both charge extraction methods provide reliable information about the recombination order and coefficient if the measurements are performed under appropriate conditions. However, results from BACE measurements may be easily affected by surface recombination, in particular for small active layer thicknesses and low illumination densities. TDCF, on the other hand, is more robust against surface recombination due to its transient nature but also because it allows for a homogeneous high carrier density to be inserted into the active layer. Therefore, TDCF is capable to provide meaningful information on the order and coefficient of recombination even if the model conditions are not exactly fulfilled. We demonstrate this for an only 100 nm thick layer of a highly efficient nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) blend, comprising the donor polymer PM6 and the NFA Y6. TDCF measurements were performed as a function of delay time for different laser fluences and bias conditions. The full set of data could be consistently fitted by a strict second order recombination process, with a bias- and fluence-independent bimolecular recombination coefficient k(2) = 1.7 x 10(-17)m(3) s(-1). BACE measurements performed on the very same layer yielded the identical result, despite the very different excitation conditions. This proves that recombination in this blend is mostly through processes in the bulk and that surface recombination is of minor importance despite the small active layer thickness. Published under license by AIP Publishing.
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| 6. |
- Liu, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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A-pi-A structured non-fullerene acceptors for stable organic solar cells with efficiency over 17%
- 2022
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Ingår i: Science in China Series B. - : SCIENCE PRESS. - 1674-7291 .- 1869-1870. ; 65:7, s. 1374-1382
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the development of photovoltaic materials, especially the small molecule acceptors (SMAs), organic solar cells (OSCs) have made breakthroughs in power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, the stability of high-performance OSCs remains a critical challenge for future technological applications. To tackle the inherent instability of SMA materials under the ambient conditions, much effort has been made to improve OSCs stability, including device modification and new materials design. Here we proposed a new electron acceptor design strategy and developed a "quasi-macromolecule" (QM) with an A-pi-A structure, where the functionalized pi-bridge is used as a linker between two SMAs (A), to improve the long-term stability without deteriorating device efficiencies. Such type of QMs enables excellent synthetic flexibility to modulate their optical/electro-chemical properties, crystallization and aggregation behaviors by changing the A and pi units. Moreover, QMs possess a unique long conjugated backbone combining high molecular weight over 3.5 kDa with high purity. Compared with the corresponding SMA BTP-4F-OD (Y6-OD), the devices based on newly synthesized A-pi-A type acceptors QM1 and QM2 could exhibit better device stability and more promising PCEs of 17.05% and 16.36%, respectively. This kind of "molecular-framework" (A-pi-A) structure provides a new design strategy for developing high-efficiency and -stability photovoltaic materials.
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| 7. |
- Liu, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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Manipulating molecular aggregation and crystalline behavior of A-DAD-A type acceptors by side chain engineering in organic solar cells
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aggregate. - : Wiley. - 2692-4560. ; 3:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alkyl chains engineering plays an important role in photovoltaic materials for organic solar cells. Herein, three A-DAD-A (acceptor-donor-acceptor-donor-acceptor) type acceptors named Y6, Y6-C4, and Y6-C5 with different branching position on the pyrrole motif are discussed and the relationship between molecular aggregation, crystalline, and device performance are systematically investigated. The distance between the branching position and the main backbone affects their optical absorption and energy levels. Y6-C4 and Y6-C5 with the branching position at the fourth and fifth carbon of the alkyl chain show blue-shifted absorption and increased electrochemical bandgaps, compared with Y6 with the branching position at the second carbon of the alkyl side chain. In addition, this distance influences the molecular aggregation and crystalline behavior of the donor/acceptor blends. Compared with Y6-C4, Y6-C5 possesses a stronger crystalline and aggregate ability in the blends with a lower non-radiative energy loss, which results in a higher open circuit voltage (V-oc) of 0.88 V. Finally, Y6-C5-based binary device achieved a high power conversion efficiency up to 16.73% with afill factor (FF) of 0.78. These results demonstrate that the side chain engineering is an effective strategy for tuning the molecular aggregation and crystalline to improve photovoltaic performance of the A-DAD-A type acceptors.
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| 8. |
- Liu, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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The Synthesis of a Multiple D-A Conjugated Macrocycle and Its Application in Organic Photovoltaic
- 2023
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Ingår i: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As a novel class of materials, D-A conjugated macrocycles hold significant promise for chemical science. However, their potential in photovoltaic remains largely untapped due to the complexity of introducing multiple donor and acceptor moieties into the design and synthesis of cyclic pi-conjugated molecules. Here, we report a multiple D-A ring-like conjugated molecule (RCM) via the coupling of dimer molecule DBTP-C3 as a template and thiophenes in high yields. RCM exhibits a narrow optical gap (1.33 eV) and excellent thermal stability, and shows a remarkable photoluminescence yield (phi PL) of 11.1 % in solution, much higher than non-cyclic analogues. Organic solar cell (OSC) constructed with RCM as electron acceptor shows efficient charge separation at donor-acceptor band offsets and achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.2 %-approximately fourfold higher than macrocycle-based OSCs reported so far. This is partly due to low non-radiative voltage loss down to 0.20 eV and a high electroluminescence yield (phi EL) of 4x10-4. Our findings emphasize the potential of D-A cyclic conjugated molecules in advancing organic photovoltaic technology. A multiple D-A ring-like conjugated molecule, RCM was synthesized via a template-directed process. RCM inherits the superior photovoltaic properties characteristic of D-A linear molecules, including a narrow optical gap and effective charge transfer. Importantly, RCM demonstrates reduced non-radiative losses, attributable to its minimized vibration.+image
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| 9. |
- Luo, Zhenghui, et al.
(författare)
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Fine-Tuning Energy Levels via Asymmetric End Groups Enables Polymer Solar Cells with Efficiencies over 17%
- 2020
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Ingår i: Joule. - : CELL PRESS. - 2542-4351. ; 4:6, s. 1236-1247
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Generally, it is important to fine-tune the energy levels of donor and acceptor materials in the field of polymer solar cell (PSCs) to achieve a minimal highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy offset, which yet is still sufficient for charge separation. Based on the high-performance small-molecule acceptor (SMA) of BTP-4F, we modified the end groups of BTP-4F from IC-2F to CPTCN-Cl. It was found that when both end groups were substituted by CPTCN-Cl, the energy level upshift was too large that caused unfavorable energetic alignment, thus poor device performance. By using the strategy of asymmetric end groups, we were able to achieve near optimal energy level match, resulting in higher open-circuit voltage (V-OC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared with those given by the PM6:BTP-4F system. Our strategy can be useful and potentially applied to othermaterial systems for maximizing efficiency of non-fullerene PSCs.
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| 10. |
- Perdigon-Toro, Lorena, et al.
(författare)
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Barrierless Free Charge Generation in the High-Performance PM6:Y6 Bulk Heterojunction Non-Fullerene Solar Cell
- 2020
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Ingår i: Advanced Materials. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Organic solar cells are currently experiencing a second golden age thanks to the development of novel non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Surprisingly, some of these blends exhibit high efficiencies despite a low energy offset at the heterojunction. Herein, free charge generation in the high-performance blend of the donor polymer PM6 with the NFA Y6 is thoroughly investigated as a function of internal field, temperature and excitation energy. Results show that photocurrent generation is essentially barrierless with near-unity efficiency, regardless of excitation energy. Efficient charge separation is maintained over a wide temperature range, down to 100 K, despite the small driving force for charge generation. Studies on a blend with a low concentration of the NFA, measurements of the energetic disorder, and theoretical modeling suggest that CT state dissociation is assisted by the electrostatic interfacial field which for Y6 is large enough to compensate the Coulomb dissociation barrier.
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