Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bo Wang, Xing Chen, Ziwei Zhang, Yuefeng Zhang, Chengyi Xiao, Yonggang Wu, Chaowei Zhao, Weiwei Li
Summary: The commercial Sn-based coordination complex Sn(acac)2 and BuSnOOH were found to be excellent cathode interlayers (CIL) for high performance non-fullerene organic solar cells. Among them, BuSnOOH exhibited better charge extraction and reduced charge recombination, leading to higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lijun Chen, Zhipeng Yin, Sikai Mei, Xunwen Xiao, Hai-Qiao Wang
Summary: Zwitterionic molecules are utilized to modify the ZnO cathode interlayer in inverted CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells, passivating defects at the interface of CsPbI2Br/ZnO and improving electron extraction efficiency. This results in enhanced charge transfer, suppressed charge recombination, and desirable energy level alignment at the cathode contact, leading to superior optoelectronic device performance and stability. Additionally, the champion efficiency is significantly improved with V-OC up to 1.25 V and FF of 76.83%, while the optimized device maintains around 80% of its initial efficiency for 32 days under illumination and 18 days stored in ambient air.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Iacopo Sim Benesperi
Summary: In this study, a high-efficiency OSC based on PM6:Y6 photoactive layer was reported, and the performance of OSCs was improved by optimizing the selection and design of cathode interlayer materials. The findings in this study provide guidelines for designing novel interlayers in the development of efficient OSCs for different illumination conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Yang, Jingwen Wang, Yunfei Zu, Qing Liao, Shaoqing Zhang, Zhong Zheng, Bowei Xu, Jianhui Hou
Summary: An interlayer material based on a designed cross-linkable naphtha-lene diimide (NDI) derivative is developed for highly stable and hydrophobic organic solar cells (OSCs). By n-doping the crosslinked c-NDI:PCy2 film with a non-polar electron donor PCy2, a remarkably high conductivity of 6.51 x 10-3 S/m is achieved with a five-fold increase in doping density. The strong hydrophobicity of the c-NDI:PCy2 interlayer provides excellent water resistance, enabling the OSCs to maintain 70% of their initial efficiency after 1,000 hours in the dark or 4 hours under continuous illumination (100 mW/cm2). The power conversion efficiency of the OSCs reaches 17.7% using the c-NDI:PCy2 interlayer, which is the highest reported value for OSCs with an inverted device architecture.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Lei Qian, Shen Fu, Shuang Li, Renjie Miao, Xuan Feng, Wenjun Zhang, Zhengguo Xiao, Weiyan Wang, Weijie Song
Summary: This study investigates the use of a novel bathocuproine (BCP) interlayer to improve the performance of wide-bandgap pure bromide-based hybrid perovskite solar cells. The BCP interlayer not only facilitates charge transport and energy level alignment, but also enhances the stability of the cells through surface passivation.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Supeng Pei, Xia Xiong, Wenkai Zhong, Xiaonan Xue, Ming Zhang, Tianyu Hao, Yongming Zhang, Feng Liu, Lei Zhu
Summary: An interface modification layer is crucial for enhancing the performance of organic solar cells. This study proposes a new method using sulfonated graphene to modify PEDOT:PSS, resulting in improved surface morphology and conductivity, and increased charge extraction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanbao Lin, Artiom Magomedov, Yuliar Firdaus, Dimitris Kaltsas, Abdulrahman El-Labban, Hendrik Faber, Dipti R. Naphade, Emre Yengel, Xiaopeng Zheng, Emre Yarali, Neha Chaturvedi, Kalaivanan Loganathan, Despoina Gkeka, Sanaa H. AlShammari, Osman M. Bakr, Frederic Laquai, Leonidas Tsetseris, Vytautas Getautis, Thomas D. Anthopoulos
Summary: Self-assembled monolayers based on Br-2PACz, 2PACz, and MeO-2PACz were investigated as hole-extracting interlayers in organic photovoltaics. OPV cells using ITO/Br-2PACz anodes exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency due to the significantly higher work function of the ITO/Br-2PACz electrode, leading to improved hole transport and longer carrier lifetimes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yi Yang, Yang Xiao, Bowei Xu, Jianhui Hou
Summary: A cross-linked and n-doped cathode interlayer (c-NDI:N) has been developed for highly efficient and stable organic solar cells. The c-NDI:N@200°C film shows excellent robustness, high conductivity, and good film morphology. The inverted organic solar cell using c-NDI:N@200°C as the interlayer achieves a high power conversion efficiency of 17.5% and maintains its performance even with increased interlayer thickness up to 100 nm. Additionally, the c-NDI:N layer can protect the device from water and can be used for photoelectrochemical water-splitting.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen-Jing Sun, Ya-Ting Wang, Yamin Zhang, Bing Sun, Ze-Qi Zhang, Ming-Jun Xiao, Xiang-Yang Li, Yong Huo, Jingming Xin, Qinglian Zhu, Wei Ma, Hao-Li Zhang
Summary: Researchers have developed three highly efficient cathode interfacial materials by introducing different functional groups. These materials are capable of broadening absorption range, improving electron collection, and enhancing the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xia Xiong, Xiaonan Xue, Ming Zhang, Tianyu Hao, Zhiyue Han, Yueyang Sun, Yongming Zhang, Feng Liu, Supeng Pei, Lei Zhu
Summary: This study focused on optimizing charge extraction efficiency and charge recombination through interface engineering, resulting in increased efficiencies of two types of organic solar cells.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xing Chen, Zhou Zhang, Chaowei Zhao, Jie Fang, Dongdong Xia, Yuefeng Zhang, Chengyi Xiao, Yonggang Wu, Shengyong You, Weiwei Li
Summary: This study stabilized ZnO nanocrystals using dimethylglycine, leading to improved efficiency in organic solar cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Nafees Ahmad, Huiqiong Zhou, Ping Fan, Guangxing Liang
Summary: This review summarizes the recent progress of cathode interlayer materials in non-fullerene organic solar cells and systematically describes their impact on device efficiency and stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Do Hui Kim, Febrian T. A. Wibowo, Dongchan Lee, Narra Krishna, Sujung Park, Shinuk Cho, Sung-Yeon Jang
Summary: By addressing the interface defects and chemically modifying the PM6:Y6-based i-OPV, the power conversion efficiency and long-term stability were significantly improved. The modified mi-OPV achieved a PCE of 17.42%, the highest among reported devices of its kind. Moreover, after 1200 hours of air storage and illumination, it retained approximately 90% and 80% of its initial PCE, respectively.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhou Zhang, Chaowei Zhao, Yuefeng Zhang, Yingzi Han, Ziwei Zhang, Jie Fang, Dongdong Xia, Shengyong You, Qiaomei Chen, Weiwei Li
Summary: The hierarchical surface reactivity of a Ti-oxo cluster (TOC) supported by multiple surface ligands has been studied, and a series of aromatics substituted TOC-Ars with identical core have been produced. These TOC-Ars can be processed into smooth films with optimized semiconducting properties, resulting in high power conversion efficiencies in organic solar cells. The unique electron doping behavior and strong interaction with the polymer donor make TOC-Ph a promising candidate for efficient charge transport in OSCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qing Liao, Qian Kang, Bowei Xu, Jianhui Hou
Summary: The stability of organic solar cells (OSCs) is crucial for their practical applications. This study focuses on addressing the stability issue by designing two organic compounds with suitable energy level and excellent electron extraction property. The results show significant improvement in device stability under high humidity conditions, with an achieved efficiency of 17.27% and a T80 lifetime of over 28,000 hours.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoyu Liu, Zhong Zheng, Jianqiu Wang, Yafei Wang, Bowei Xu, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: A new method has been developed to manipulate the fluidics of sol-gel ZnO precursor and optimize processability of ZnO layer for flexible OSCs by changing Lewis base. This method results in high-quality ZnO layers suitable for flexible OSCs with improved photostability, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 16.71%, the best value reported so far.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xian'e Li, Qilun Zhang, Jianwei Yu, Ye Xu, Rui Zhang, Chuanfei Wang, Huotian Zhang, Simone Fabiano, Xianjie Liu, Jianhui Hou, Feng Gao, Mats Fahlman
Summary: Energy level alignment at donor-acceptor heterojunctions is crucial for charge generation and recombination in organic photovoltaic devices. This study systematically investigates the energy level alignment and its variation at different interfaces. Contrary to previous assumptions, significant vacuum level shifts are observed at the interfaces, resulting in reduced interfacial energetic offsets and increased charge transfer state energies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiayao Li, Hao Li, Lijiao Ma, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Three non-fused ring acceptors (NFREAs), C8-2F, FC8-2F and MeC8-2F, were synthesized by introducing different functional atoms/groups into the para-position of phenyl in the OPT units. The absorption spectrum of the NFREAs can reach about 950 nm with band-gaps of 1.28-1.32 eV due to the strong electron donating ability of OPT. By changing the substituents on the OPT units, their Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (chi) with the donor can be greatly influenced and different phase separation behavior can be achieved. Blending FC8-2F with PBDB-TF achieves a solar cell with short circuit current density (J(sc)) of 23.21 mA.cm(-2), fill factor (FF) of 72.11%, and the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.42%.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pengqing Bi, Junzhen Ren, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianqiu Wang, Zhihao Chen, Mengyuan Gao, Yong Cui, Tao Zhang, Jinzhao Qin, Zhong Zheng, Long Ye, Xiaotao Hao, Jianhui Hou
Summary: This study introduces PTVT-BT, a poly(thienylene vinylene) derivative with a simple molecular structure and high-performance in terms of power conversion efficiency. The findings suggest that PTVT-BT holds promise for future industrialization of organic photovoltaics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lijiao Ma, Yong Cui, Jianqi Zhang, Kaihu Xian, Zhihao Chen, Kangkang Zhou, Tao Zhang, Wenxuan Wang, Huifeng Yao, Shaoqing Zhang, Xiaotao Hao, Long Ye, Jianhui Hou
Summary: The researchers have successfully achieved high efficiency and mechanical reliability in all-polymer organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells by introducing a polymer donor, PBDB-TF, with a high molecular weight. By adding the high molecular weight PBDB-TF as a third component into the PBQx-TF:PY-IT blend, they optimized the heterojunction morphology, enhancing charge transport efficiency and mechanical stress dissipation. As a result, the all-polymer OPV cells based on the ternary blend film showed a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.2% with a fill factor of 0.796. The flexible OPV cell also achieved a decent PCE of 16.5% with high mechanical stability. These findings provide a promising strategy for improving the mechanical properties and boosting the photovoltaic performance of all-polymer OPV cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yafei Wang, Zhong Zheng, Jianqiu Wang, Xiaoyu Liu, Junzhen Ren, Cunbin An, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Due to its excellent optoelectronic properties and simple preparation, zinc oxide (ZnO) has been widely used in organic solar cells (OSCs). A simple and effective method for removing residual amine from ZnO without damaging its properties is reported. By optimizing the cathode interface layer using boric acid (BA), the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of OSCs are significantly improved.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lijiao Ma, Shaoqing Zhang, Junzhen Ren, Guanlin Wang, Jiayao Li, Zhihao Chen, Huifeng Yao, Jianhui Hou
Summary: In this study, a series of electron acceptors with different polar functional substituents were synthesized and investigated for use in organic photovoltaic cells. Among them, A4T-32 with the strongest polar functional group showed the highest surface energy, enabling morphological modulation and resulting in high power conversion efficiency. Additionally, the cells maintained good performance under prolonged simulated sunlight, highlighting their potential for practical applications.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
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)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pengqing Bi, Cunbin An, Tao Zhang, Zhihao Chen, Ye Xu, Yong Cui, Jianqiu Wang, Jiayao Li, Yafei Wang, Junzhen Ren, Xiaotao Hao, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: This study synthesized a series of polymers based on thiadiazole, 4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene, and fluorinated BDT-T units. These polymers exhibited wide bandgaps and low energetic disorders, achieving high power conversion efficiencies of over 15%, 14.79%, and 18.28% after blending with the non-fullerene acceptor FTCC-Br.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Lijiao Ma, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Great progress has been made in the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) by using non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). In order to further improve device performance, it is important to understand the design strategies, packing information, and intermolecular interactions of NFAs at the atomic level. This review highlights recent advances in the study of single crystal structures of NFAs in OPVs, as well as the relationship between molecular design strategies, packing arrangement, and their corresponding properties. The challenges and future development of new electron acceptors with ideal single crystal structures and packing modes for next-generation organic photovoltaics are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jianqiu Wang, Yafei Wang, Pengqing Bi, Zhihao Chen, Jiawei Qiao, Jiayao Li, Wenxuan Wang, Zhong Zheng, Shaoqing Zhang, Xiaotao Hao, Jianhui Hou
Summary: This study proposes the use of 3,5-dichlorobromobenzene (DCBB) to manipulate the morphology of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs), resulting in improved operability and photostability. Simulation experiments reveal the charge distribution and non-covalent interaction of DCBB with active layer materials. The addition of DCBB effectively tunes the aggregation behavior during film formation, leading to a phase separation and molecular packing that enhances the power conversion efficiency to 19.2%.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanjie Tang, Jiaming Fu, Hao Li, Du Hyeon Ryu, Won Suk Shin, Jianqi Zhang, Yi Yang, Yiming Yang, Deyuan Li, Zhong Zheng, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Tandem organic solar cells containing multiple sub-cells exhibit high power conversion efficiencies due to the manipulation of light absorption distribution. However, controlling the inter-subcells carrier migration is a substantial challenge. By improving the conductivity of the nanowires-like conducting channel in the interconnecting layer, the efficiencies of tandem organic solar cells are improved.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhong Zheng, Jianqiu Wang, Junzhen Ren, Shijie Wang, Yafei Wang, Wei Ma, Lei Zheng, Hao Li, Yanjie Tang, Shaoqing Zhang, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Meniscus-guided coating is widely used in the printing process of photovoltaic electronics and offers outstanding depositing accuracy, functional diversity, and operating convenience. However, there is still limited understanding about the hydrodynamic behaviors of bulk heterojunction ink and the key dynamic parameter that governs film formation. In this study, we establish a principle to accurately evaluate the Hamaker constant and reveal the critical effect of precursor film length on flow evolution, polymer aggregation, and final morphology. Our prediction method for precursor film length enables accurate tracing of the optimal coating speed. Furthermore, a power conversion efficiency of 18.39% has been achieved in a 3-cm(2) cell using blade coating, with only a slight reduction from 19.40% in a 0.04-cm(2) cell using spin coating.
