Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sebastian Wilken, Dorothea Scheunemann, Staffan Dahlstrom, Mathias Nyman, Jurgen Parisi, Ronald osterbacka
Summary: Modifying the annealing procedure can lead to different model morphologies with varying phase separation, molecular order, and phase purity, which are crucial for reducing charge recombination rates.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Qiuju Liang, Wangchang Li, Haodong Lu, Zhenhao Yu, Xinyi Zhang, Qingjie Dong, Chunpeng Song, Zongcheng Miao, Jiangang Liu
Summary: BHJ organic photovoltaics are highly promising for green energy technology, but optimizing the morphology of the active layer is crucial. The addition of solid additives has become a popular strategy, but the relationship between additive properties and active layer morphology is still unclear.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Christina Cheng, Stephen Wong, Garrett LeCroy, Sebastian Schneider, Enrique Gomez, Michael F. Toney, Alberto Salleo
Summary: The performance of nonfullerene-based organic solar cells is influenced by the morphology of the donor:acceptor blend, which is controlled by the composition. However, it is challenging to identify morphological design rules due to the complex relationship between composition-dependent phase behavior and device properties. In this study, the authors establish a direct link between PM6:Y6 film morphology and device properties by combining X-ray scattering and photocurrent spectroscopy. The results reveal that the charge transfer state at the amorphous-PM6:crystalline-Y6 interfaces controls the open-circuit voltage.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jules Bertrandie, Jianhua Han, Catherine S. P. De Castro, Emre Yengel, Julien Gorenflot, Thomas Anthopoulos, Frederic Laquai, Anirudh Sharma, Derya Baran
Summary: The study investigates the energy levels of 33 organic semiconductors using multiple techniques and explores their impact on the performance of solar cells. The findings reveal that high-performing systems have significant ionization energy offsets, and vanishing ionization energy offsets are detrimental to device performance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinqiu Xu, Francis Lin, Lei Zhu, Ming Zhang, Tianyu Hao, Guanqing Zhou, Ke Gao, Yecheng Zou, Gang Wei, Yuanping Yi, Alex K. Y. Jen, Yongming Zhang, Feng Liu
Summary: This research investigates the structure features and intermolecular interactions of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) in single crystal and thin films, as well as their solar cell applications. Key parameters and intermolecular forces that lead to different crystalline packing motifs are identified. Atomic modification induces hydrogen bonding or pi-pi stacking column, resulting in different crystalline packing. Molecular assembly in thin films is initiated by hydrogen bonding and completed by pi-pi stacking reorganization. The crystalline packing motif is not directly related to device efficiency, but the crystalline morphology influences exciton/carrier dynamics and device performance. A broader understanding of the scaling behavior of organic semiconductor crystals ranging from oligoacenes to NFAs is established.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Moritz Riede, Donato Spoltore, Karl Leo
Summary: Organic solar cells have the potential to be the cheapest form of electricity, surpassing silicon photovoltaics. However, challenges remain in increasing efficiency and long-term stability. The technology could be used in building integrated photovoltaics and portable electronics, with the potential to have the lowest carbon footprint of all energy generation technologies.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianyu Hao, Wenkai Zhong, Shifeng Leng, Rui Zeng, Ming Zhang, Lei Zhu, Yankang Yang, Jingnan Song, Jinqiu Xu, Guanqing Zhou, Yecheng Zou, Yongming Zhang, Feng Liu
Summary: In this study, we developed a general multi-length-scale morphology model merging mixing phase and pure phase fibril structure. By optimizing the proportion and period width, we found that a smaller period width with appropriate proportion of mixing phase and fibril structure benefits the device performance. Experimental results support the model prediction and demonstrate the importance of building such a multi-length-scale morphology for improving device efficiency.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaihu Xian, Shengnan Zhang, Ye Xu, Junwei Liu, Kangkang Zhou, Zhongxiang Peng, Mingfei Li, Wenchao Zhao, Yu Chen, Zhuping Fei, Jianhui Hou, Yanhou Geng, Long Ye
Summary: By precisely controlling the acceptor aggregation, the performance and thermal stability of non-fullerene organic photovoltaics (OPVs) can be improved, resulting in higher efficiency and longer operational lifetime.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Optics
Jason A. Rohr, B. Edward Sartor, Jason Lipton, Andre D. Taylor
Summary: Our oceans are vast and difficult to monitor, but a fully autonomous 'Internet of Underwater Things' powered by underwater solar energy could revolutionize data collection. However, traditional silicon solar cells do not perform well underwater, so alternative materials like GaInP variants, CdTe, organic semiconductors, and perovskite semiconductors need to be explored. Challenges such as antifouling coatings and new certification standards must also be addressed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiaoyu Xu, Kexin Yu, Wenting Liang, Cuifen Zhang, Xiaoli Zhou, Rongna Lyu, Shenbo Zhu, Yongjie Cui, Xueliang Shi, Fengkun Chen, Zaifei Ma, Yangen Huang, Huawei Hu
Summary: This study synthesized and investigated two nonfused acceptors with different molecular shapes and found that the asymmetric acceptor with a C-shape backbone exhibited better performance due to enhanced intermolecular interactions and improved charge transfer. Therefore, precise control of molecular shape through rational molecular design represents an effective strategy for adjusting the photovoltaic performance of nonfused acceptor-based solar cells.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaihu Xian, Kangkang Zhou, Mingfei Li, Junwei Liu, Yaowen Zhang, Tao Zhang, Yong Cui, Wenchao Zhao, Chunming Yang, Jianhui Hou, Yanhou Geng, Long Ye
Summary: By suppressing the aggregation and crystallization behaviors of polymerized Y-series acceptors, the performance, stability, and mechanical robustness of all-polymer solar cells were simultaneously improved. The optimized ternary all-polymer blend exhibited high photovoltaic efficiency and improved mechanical flexibility.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Young Woong Lee, Jiwoo Yeop, Hyojin Lim, Won-Woo Park, Joonyoung Francis Joung, Sungnam Park, Oh-Hoon Kwon, Jin Young Kim, Han Young Woo
Summary: Two dumbbell-shaped A-D-A-type triad single-component photovoltaic molecules were synthesized based on BDTRh core and PC(61)BA termini, with BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA showing higher absorption coefficient and improved charge transfer efficiency compared to BDTRh-C-2-PC(61)BA. The longer alkyl spacer in BDTRh-C-10-PC(61)BA contributed to enhanced intermolecular ordering and improved power conversion efficiency.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
David A. Palacios-Gomez, Ali M. Huerta Flores, Roderick C. MacKenzie, Christopher Pearson, Faisal Alanazi, Budhika G. Mendis, Christopher Groves
Summary: Organic photovoltaic devices can enhance performance by incorporating a further active material into the absorber layer, forming ternary OPVs. Experimental results on ternary OPV blends incorporating different donor polymers and fullerene acceptors show improvements in internal quantum efficiency and open-circuit voltage, attributed to reductions in charge recombination and alloying of fullerene components. The benefits of using a ternary OPV approach vary depending on the materials system and ternary blend morphology.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongdong Xia, Zhou Zhang, Chaowei Zhao, Jing Wang, Jun Xia, Guihua Chen, Shuai Li, Zheng Tang, Shengyong You, Weiwei Li
Summary: By introducing a fullerene acceptor into the binary photo-active layer, the ternary organic solar cells achieved a higher power conversion efficiency compared to binary solar cells, mainly due to optimized morphology and balanced hole and electron mobilities that help suppress charge recombination and increase photocurrent.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nailiang Qiu, Chunyan Liu, Haijiao Lang, Jingyang Xu, Rui Su, Jie Jiang, Jiaqi Tian, Jisen Li
Summary: A new small-molecule donor, BTEHR-FT, has been designed and synthesized for the fabrication of all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs). It exhibits excellent solubility and thermal stability. By introducing fluorine atoms, it achieves a low-lying highest occupied molecular orbital energy level. After thermal annealing treatment, the solar cell shows a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qunping Fan, Francis R. R. Lin, Wei Ma, Alex K. -Y. Jen
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Deng Wang, Jiabang Chen, Peide Zhu, Ying Qiao, Hang Hu, Jie Zeng, Jiyao Zhang, Geping Qu, Yanggang Wang, Xingzhu Wang, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Baomin Xu
Summary: Developing a facile method to prepare high-quality perovskite films without using the antisolvent technique is critical for upscaling the production of perovskite solar cells. By introducing pre-synthesized microcrystals as seed crystals, this study successfully promotes the formation of defect-free perovskite films, resulting in high-efficiency devices with enhanced stability. The best-performing device achieved a power conversion efficiency of 23.27% for small-area devices and 21.52% for large-area devices, which are among the highest reported efficiencies for antisolvent-free PVSCs.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rui Sun, Tao Wang, Qunping Fan, Mingjian Wu, Xinrong Yang, Xiaohei Wu, Yue Yu, Xinxin Xia, Fengzhe Cui, Ji Wan, Xinhui Lu, Xiaotao Hao, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Erdmann Spiecker, Jie Min
Summary: While polymer/polymer blend systems still have lower power conversion efficiencies compared to small-molecule-acceptor-based systems, the use of a ternary blending strategy holds promise in achieving a desired nanoscale blend morphology to bridge the efficiency-stability gap in all-polymer solar cells. In this study, a narrow-band-gap chlorinated polymer acceptor (PY-2Cl) was incorporated into the PM6:PY-1S1Se host blend, resulting in extended absorption spectra, improved molecular packing, solidified blend microstructure, and reduced non-radiative recombination. The resulting ternary blend achieved a PCE of 18.2% (certified value 17.8%), the highest reported for all-PSCs. Furthermore, the ternary blend demonstrated lower Urbach energy and better operational stability compared to corresponding binary systems. This work paves the way for enhancing the development of high-performance all-polymer systems through molecular design and ternary strategies.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingliang Li, Yunfei Xie, Francis R. Lin, Ziwei Li, Shuang Yang, Alex K. - Y. Jen
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baobing Fan, Wenkai Zhong, Wei Gao, Huiting Fu, Francis R. Lin, Reese W. -Y. Wong, Ming Liu, Chenhui Zhu, Cheng Wang, Hin-Lap Yip, Feng Liu, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Sequentially deposited organic solar cells (SD-OSCs) have received great attention due to their ability to achieve a more favorable morphology. However, the processing of SD-OSCs is challenging in preventing the penetration of small-molecule acceptors into the polymer donor layer. In this study, solid additives with varied electrostatic potential distributions and steric hinderance are introduced to investigate their effect on vertical component distribution.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feng Qi, Yanxun Li, Rui Zhang, Francis R. R. Lin, Kaikai Liu, Qunping Fan, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Organic solar cells (OSCs) have made significant advancements with the development of new photovoltaic materials. However, their long-term stability remains a challenge. To address this, a dimer acceptor with a flexible linker was developed to stabilize the morphology of the active layer. The resulting device showed improved power conversion efficiency and excellent thermal stability, as well as maintaining high mechanical durability after repetitive bending.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shengfan Wu, Ming Liu, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Over the past decade, the efficiency of single-junction perovskite solar cells has significantly improved, approaching their limit. Constructing tandem solar cells is a promising route to achieve higher efficiency by effectively utilizing solar energy. Perovskite-organic tandem cells are particularly interesting due to the complementary properties of organic solar cells and PSCs, and have the potential to outperform existing tandem cells.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ruixi Luo, Xin Zhao, Ning Cai, Jiehao Zhao, Tiejun Wang, Yonggang Min, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Introducing flexible alkyl chains into rigid conjugated molecules is an effective strategy to enhance the photovoltaic performance of organic semiconductor materials. In this study, seven hole-transporting materials (HTMs) were developed by attaching alkyl chains to the pi-linker and donor group. The HTMs exhibited optimized solution processability, molecular packing, and thermal phase transition, leading to high power conversion efficiencies in inverted perovskite solar cells.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Wu, Dong Zhang, Xue Wang, Xiaofen Jiang, Baoze Liu, Bo Li, Zhen Li, Danpeng Gao, Chunlei Zhang, Yan Wang, Zonglong Zhu
Summary: With the improvement in power conversion efficiency and lifetime of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), the environmental concerns regarding materials, device processing, operation, and recycling have become crucial for their commercialization. The development of eco-friendly PVSCs through lead-free perovskite materials, non-toxic solvents, and effective lead-adsorbing materials has gained significant attention in the past few years. This comprehensive review discusses the recent progress in eco-friendly PVSCs, including eco-friendly materials, device processing and operation, and perovskite recycling, while providing insights into further material innovation and device optimization for future development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaofei Ji, Leyu Bi, Qiang Fu, Bolin Li, Junwei Wang, Sang Young Jeong, Kui Feng, Suxiang Ma, Qiaogan Liao, Francis R. Lin, Han Young Woo, Linfeng Lu, Alex K. -Y. Jen, Xugang Guo
Summary: Adding Foamidinium Oxalate to SnO2 nanoparticles can improve the quality of SnO2/perovskite interface and enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ming Liu, Leyu Bi, Wenlin Jiang, Zixin Zeng, Sai-Wing Tsang, Francis R. Lin, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: An introduced co-solvent strategy is utilized to disassemble the micelles formed by amphiphilic self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules, reducing the energetic barrier for densely packed SAM formation and universally enhancing the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of PSCs using MeO-2PACz, 2PACz, and CbzNaph SAM hole-selective layers. The champion device processed from CbzNaph using this co-solvent achieves a high PCE of 24.98% and improved stability.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Baobing Fan, Wei Gao, Rui Zhang, Werner Kaminsky, Lingxiao Tang, Francis R. Lin, Yiwen Wang, Qunping Fan, Wei Ma, Feng Gao, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Organic photovoltaics (OPV) is an effective method for collecting solar energy, achieving a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 19% when processed with halogenated solvents. Tailoring the absorption band of photoactive materials can further enhance OPV performance, and by developing a series of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with varied side-group conjugations, an enhanced absorption band in the short-wavelength region (SWR) is observed. The molecular structures and geometries that improve SWR absorption are elucidated, and a clear relationship between enhanced SWR absorption and reduced singlet-triplet energy gap is established, both of which can be tailored through rational structure design of NFAs. Finally, a rationally designed NFA, BO-TTBr, achieves a decent PCE of 18.5% when processed with a non-halogenated green solvent.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Bo Wang, Hongyang Si, Huiting Fu, Ruao Gao, Minjuan Zhan, Huili Jiang, Aili Wang
Summary: A novel content-aware image resizing mechanism is proposed to address the lack of esthetic perception in current algorithms. It introduces a composition detection module for detecting input image composition and selects corresponding composition rules in computational esthetics. The algorithm performs seam carving using the selected esthetic rules, resulting in a resized image that protects important content and optimizes overall visual effect.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Li, Zhen Li, Danpeng Gao, Xin Wu, Xintong Li, Chunlei Zhang, Shuai Li, Jianqiu Gong, Dong Zhang, Xiangfan Xie, Shuang Xiao, Haipeng Lu, Mingjie Li, Zonglong Zhu
Summary: By designing long-chain alkylamines as crystallization buffer molecules, the residual strain in tin perovskite films was released, thus improving the photovoltaic performance and stability of lead-stabilized tin perovskite solar cells (TPSCs).
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
