Beyond Donor–Acceptor (D–A) Approach: Structure–Optoelectronic Properties—Organic Photovoltaic Performance Correlation in New D–A1–D–A2 Low‐Bandgap Conjugated Polymers

Low‐bandgap near‐infrared polymers are usually synthesized using the common donor–acceptor (D–A) approach. However, recently polymer chemists are introducing more complex chemical concepts for better fine tuning of their optoelectronic properties. Usually these studies are limited to one or two polymer examples in each case study so far, though. In this study, the dependence of optoelectronic and macroscopic (device performance) properties in a series of six new D–A₁–D–A₂ low bandgap semiconducting polymers is reported for the first time. Correlation between the chemical structure of single‐component polymer films and their optoelectronic properties has been achieved in terms of absorption maxima, optical bandgap, ionization potential, and electron affinity. Preliminary organic photovoltaic results based on blends of the D–A₁–D–A₂ polymers as the electron donor mixed with the fullerene derivative [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester demonstrate power conversion efficiencies close to 4% with short‐circuit current densities (J _sc) of around 11 mA cm⁻², high fill factors up to 0.70, and high open‐circuit voltages (V _ocs) of 0.70 V. All the devices are fabricated in an inverted architecture with the photoactive layer processed in air with doctor blade technique, showing the compatibility with roll‐to‐roll large‐scale manufacturing processes.

     

Recent progresses on solution-processed silver nanowire based transparent conducting electrodes for organic solar cells

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are considered as a future alternative for conventional silicon based solar cells, owing to their low cost, ease of production and high-throughput. The transparent conducting electrode (TCE) is a fundamental component of OPVs. Traditionally, indium tin oxide (ITO) has been mainly utilized as a TCE in OPV applications due to its relatively high transparency and low sheet resistance. However, increasing demand for the optoelectronic devices has led to large fluctuations in ITO prices in the past decade and ITO is known to account more than 50% of the total cost of OPV devices. Thus, it is believed that development of solution-processable alternative materials is of great importance in reducing the cost of OPVs. Numerous materials, including silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, graphene and conducting polymers, have been offered as replacements for ITO. This article reviews recent progress on fabrication of TCE via solution based coating techniques of silver nanowires (Ag NWs). In addition, performance of the Ag NWs based TCE in OPVs is summarized. Finally, we explore the future outlook for Ag NWs based TCE at the end of the review.     

氧化锌掺铝绒面薄膜在有机光伏电池中的应用

目前有机光伏电池的吸光活性层电学传输特性和光学吸收特性的不匹配是制约其能量转换效率提升的主要原因之一. 通过陷光结构对入射光进行调控, 提高电池对光的约束和俘获能力从而达到“电学薄”和“光学厚”的等效作用, 是解 决有机光伏电池电学和光学不匹配的有效手段. 本文采用湿法刻蚀技术获得了系列时间梯度的绒面氧化锌掺铝薄膜, 并将其作为有机光伏电池的入射陷光电极, 显著增强了电池的光学吸收. 研究发现, 当使用浓度0.5%的稀HCL腐蚀30 s后的氧化锌掺铝薄膜作为入射电极后, 电池的光电性能和效率显著增强. 基于此绒面电极电池的电流密度比平面结构的电池提高了8.17%, 效率改善了11.29%. 通过对绒面电极表面的修饰处理, 实现了电极与光活性层之间良好的界面接触, 从而减小了对电池的开路电压和填充因子的影响.     

Energy up-conversion by low-power excitation: new applications of an old concept

Energy up-conversion is the process by which two absorbed photons are converted in one photon of higher energy. Such a process can be conveniently performed by low-power excitation through sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation and it is now an emerging technique with possible applications in different fields, including photovoltaic devices and bioimaging.     

Synthesis and investigation of photovoltaic properties for polymer semiconductors based on porphyrin compounds as light-harvesting units

We reported on two polymer semiconducting copolymers based on porphyrin compounds, poly[9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-5,15-bis(hexoxybenzyl)-10,20-bis(benzo-4-yl)porphyrin] (PFPor) and poly[9-(heptadecan-9-yl)carbazole-co-5,15-bis(hexoxybenzyl)-10,20-bis(benzo-4-yl)porphyrin] (PCPor), for use as organic photovoltaic materials. The thermal, optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the two polymers were investigated. In addition, PC₆₁BM and PC₇₁BM were introduced as acceptor materials to confirm the acceptor effect in bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices. Moreover, in order to establish acceptor effects, morphologies of polymer/PCBM blend films were analyzed through atomic force microscopy (AFM). PFPor and PCPor exhibited the best device performance with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 0.62% and 0.76%, respectively, upon the introduction of PC₇₁BM as the acceptor in the device where 86 wt.% of the PC₇₁BM was contained in the active layer (pol:PC₇₁BM = 1:6, w/w).     

Self‐Assembly of Lead Chalcogenide Nanocrystals

This review focuses on recent developments in the self‐assembly of lead chalcogenide nanocrystals into two‐ and three‐dimensional superstructures. Self‐assembly is categorized by the shapes of building blocks, including nanospheres, nanocubes, nano‐octahedra, and nanostars. In the section on nanospheres, rapid assemblies of lead chalcogenide‐based multicomponent nanocrystals with additional components, such as semiconductors, noble metals, and magnetic nanocrystals, are further highlighted. In situ self‐assembly of lead chalcogenide nanocrystals into one‐dimensional nanostructures at elevated temperatures is also covered. Each section of this paper highlights examples extracted from recent publications. Finally, relatively novel properties and applications arising from lead chalcogenide superlattices as typical examples are also discussed.     

Increasing the Open‐Circuit Voltage in High‐Performance Organic Photovoltaic Devices through Conformational Twisting of an Indacenodithiophene‐Based Conjugated Polymer

A fused ladder indacenodithiophene (IDT)‐based donor–acceptor (D–A)‐type alternating conjugated polymer, PIDTHT‐BT, presenting n‐hexylthiophene conjugated side chains is prepared. By extending the degree of intramolecular repulsion through the conjugated side chain moieties, an energy level for the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of –5.46 eV – a value approximately 0.27 eV lower than that of its counterpart PIDTDT‐BT – is obtained, subsequently providing a fabricated solar cell with a high open‐circuit voltage of approximately 0.947 V. The hole mobility (determined using the space charge‐limited current model) in a blend film containing 20 wt% PIDTHT‐BT) and 80 wt% [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) is 2.2 × 10^–9 m² V^–1 s^–1, which is within the range of reasonable values for applications in organic photovoltaics. The power conversion efficiency is 4.5% under simulated solar illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^–2).

     

Star-burst 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline as chromophore for light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices

The current–voltage and electroluminescent features of a novel star-burst 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline chromophore show that it has potential applications as a material for light-emitting diodes. The electroluminescence covers the white light spectral range from 420 nm up to 610 nm and achieves maximal value about 18 Cd/m² at biased voltage 23 V. The photovoltaic efficiency achieved was equal to about 0.08%.