Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System and a Multilayer Perceptron Model Trained with Grey Wolf Optimizer for Predicting Solar Diffuse Fraction

The accurate prediction of the solar diffuse fraction (DF), sometimes called the diffuse ratio, is an important topic for solar energy research. In the present study, the current state of Diffuse irradiance research is discussed and then three robust, machine learning (ML) models are examined using a large dataset (almost eight years) of hourly readings from Almeria, Spain. The ML models used herein, are a hybrid adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), a single multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and a hybrid multi-layer perceptron grey wolf optimizer (MLP-GWO). These models were evaluated for their predictive precision, using various solar and DF irradiance data, from Spain. The results were then evaluated using frequently used evaluation criteria, the mean absolute error (MAE), mean error (ME) and the root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that the MLP-GWO model, followed by the ANFIS model, provided a higher performance in both the training and the testing procedures.     

Effect of an Al-doped ZnO electron transport layer on the efficiency of inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells

Doping is a widely-implemented strategy for enhancing the inherent electrical properties of metal oxide charge transport layers in photovoltaic devices because higher conductivity of electron transport layer (ETL) can increment the photocurrent by reducing the series resistance. To improve the conductivity of ETL, in this study we doped the ZnO layer with aluminum (Al), then investigated the influence of AZO on the performance of inverted bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells based on poly [[4,8-bis [(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b’]dithiophene-2,6-diyl]-[3-fluoro-2[(2-ethylhexyl)-carbonyl]-thieno-[3,4-b]thiophenediyl ]] (PTB7):[6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM). The measured conductivity of AZO was ~10⁻³ S/cm, which was two orders of magnitude higher than that of intrinsic ZnO (~10⁻⁵ S/cm). By decreasing the series resistance (R_s) in a device with an AZO layer, the short circuit current (J_sc) increased significantly from 15.663 mA/cm² to 17.040 mA/cm². As a result, the device with AZO exhibited an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.984%.     

Conjugated block copolymers via functionalized initiators and click chemistry

Conjugated block copolymers are potentially useful for organic electronic applications and the study of interfacial charge and energy transfer processes; yet few synthetic methods are available to prepare polymers with well‐defined conjugated blocks. Here, we report the synthesis and thin film morphology of a series of conjugated poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (P3HT‐b‐PF) and poly(3‐dodecylthiophene)‐block‐poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (P3DDT‐b‐PF) block copolymers prepared by functional external initiators and click chemistry. Functional group control is quantified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, size‐exclusion chromatography, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The thin film morphology of the resulting all‐conjugated block copolymers is analyzed by a combination of grazing‐incidence X‐ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Crystallization of the P3HT or P3DDT blocks is present in thin films for all materials studied, and P3DDT‐b‐PF films exhibit significant PF/P3DDT co‐crystallization. Processing conditions are found to impact thin film crystallinity and orientation of the π–π stacking direction of polymer crystallites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 154–163     

Theoretical description of the geometric and electronic structures of organic-organic interfaces in organic solar cells: a brief review

We review some of the computational methodologies used in our research group to develop a better understanding of the geometric and electronic structures of organic-organic interfaces present in the active layer of organic solar cells. We focus in particular on the exciton-dissociation and charge-transfer processes at the pentacene-fullerene interface. We also discuss the local morphology at this interface on the basis of molecular dynamics simulations.     

Synthesis of conjugated polymers possessing diketopyrrolopyrrole units bearing phenyl,pyridyl, and thiazolyl groups by direct arylation polycondensation: Effects of aromatic groups in DPP on physical properties

Conjugated polymers containing phenyl‐, pyridyl‐, and thiazolyl‐flanked diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) were synthesized by direct arylation polycondensation of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene derivatives and dibrominated DPP‐based monomers, in order to probe the effects of the aromatic groups in the DPP units on the absorption property, energy level, and crystallinity. A polymer possessing thiazolyl‐flanked DPP units was found to display long‐wavelength absorption properties and higher crystallinity than the polymers bearing phenyl‐ and pyridyl‐flanked DPP units. These features of the thiazolyl‐based polymer were afforded by its coplanar structure of the main chain. The synthesized polymers showed semiconducting properties in organic field effect transistors and organic photovoltaics. Direct arylation polycondensation is an efficient synthetic method that affords a series of DPP‐based polymers in a simple fashion and, thus, helping in a comprehensive understanding on the relationship between the aromatic groups in DPP units and their physical properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2337–2345     

Hole‐Transport Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells

The pressure to move towards renewable energy has inspired researchers to look for ideas in photovoltaics that may lead to a major breakthrough. Recently the use of perovskites as a light harvester has lead to stunning progress. The power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells is now approaching parity (>22 %) with that of the established technology which took decades to reach this level of performance. The use of a hole transport material (HTM) remains indispensable in perovskite solar cells. Perovskites can conduct holes, but they are present at low levels, and for efficient charge extraction a HTM layer is a prerequisite. Herein we provide an overview of the diverse types of HTM available, from organic to inorganic, in the hope of encouraging further research and the optimization of these materials.     

导电聚合物薄膜的喷墨打印制备及其光电器件

聚(3,4-乙撑二氧基噻吩):聚(苯乙烯磺酸)(PEDOT:PSS)由于兼备优良的导电性和透光率,被广泛用于透明功能性薄膜的制备,可作为空穴传输层或直接用作电极,运用到有机光伏器件(OPV)、有机场效应晶体管(OFET)、有机发光二极管(OLED)等薄膜器件的结构中,部分实现了氧化铟锡(ITO)薄膜的替代。常见的溶液成膜工艺是旋涂法,这种工艺操作较为简便,但原料利用率低,并且难以大面积均匀制备及图案化制膜, 不利于规模化生产和推广。近年来,喷墨打印制膜技术得到人们越来越多的关注。由于喷墨打印制膜技术可在多种基底上快速、高效地制备均匀大面积薄膜,并可轻易地实现各种精细图案化的制作,可溶液加工,更与卷对卷加工技术兼容,因此能够很好地节约原料,降低能耗和制作成本。目前已被广泛应用于有机电子学各个领域,特别是在制备柔性器件方面,展现出独特优势。本文对基于导电聚合物PEDOT:PSS的喷墨打印工艺进行了系统的阐述,对其制膜、图案化及其电子器件应用等相关研究作了较为全面的总结,并展望了其应用前景,对于更为全面、深刻地理解和推动喷墨打印制膜技术在有机电子学领域的应用具有重要的指导和借鉴意义。     

非富勒烯小分子有机太阳能电池电子受体材料的研究进展

富勒烯及其衍生物是一类重要的n-型电子受体材料,在有机太阳能电池器件中发挥了至关重要的作用. 但由于富勒烯材料吸光波长较窄、亲和能高、溶解性差等,严重限制了富勒烯作为有机太阳能电池n-型电子受体材料的更广泛应用和器件性能的进一步提升. 非富勒烯n-型电子受体材料具有能级可调、合成简便、加工成本低、溶解性能优异等特点,更重要的是,此类材料在可见太阳光光谱中比富勒烯及其衍生物材料有更加宽广的吸收范围;近年来,受到越来越多的关注和研究. 本文较为系统地阐述了非富勒烯小分子材料作为有机太阳能电池n-型电子受体材料的研究进展,并对其发展前景作了展望.     

色散效应对聚光多结太阳电池性能的影响及优化

针对色散效应导致聚光多结太阳电池性能降低的问题,使用分布式三维等效电路模型计算高倍聚光下GaInP/GaInAs/Ge三结太阳电池的输出特性,通过分析电池各层的电压分布、暗电流分布以及横向电流分布,研究了不同电池尺寸下色散效应对电池性能影响的机理.结果表明:色散使多结太阳电池在局部区域的光生电流变得不匹配,随着电池尺寸的减小,局部区域之间失配的光生电流能够以横向电流的形式相互补偿,使电池整体的电流更加匹配,从而减小色散效应的影响.当电池芯片尺寸较大(20 mm×20 mm)时,色散主要降低电池的短路电流密度,色散光斑下电池的效率仅相当于无色散时的94%;当电池芯片尺寸减小到2 mm×2 mm时,短路电流密度与无色散时相等,但横向电阻降低了电池的填充因子.当电池芯片尺寸进一步减小到0.4 mm×0.4 mm时,色散与无色散光斑下电池的各项性能几乎没有差别,效率均约为34.5%,色散效应的影响可忽略不计.