Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ling Hong, Huifeng Yao, Yong Cui, Pengqing Bi, Tao Zhang, Yongxin Cheng, Yunfei Zu, Jinzhao Qin, Runnan Yu, Ziyi Ge, Jianhui Hou
Summary: Establishing an ideal architecture with selective carrier transport and suppressed recombination is crucial for improving photovoltaic efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs). By tailoring a hybrid planar/bulk structure, highly efficient OSCs with reduced energy losses were fabricated. The study highlights the potential of precisely regulating the structure of donor:acceptor heterojunction to further enhance the efficiencies of OSCs.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Masahiro Nakano, Akira Takahara, Kenji Genda, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Makoto Karakawa, Tetsuya Taima, Kohshin Takahashi
Summary: This study introduces a method for the selective extraction of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) from a BHJ layer in OSCs and provides a detailed analysis of the remaining BHJ films based on AFM. By using this method, the morphologies of NFA-free BHJ films fabricated under various conditions were studied in detail. The results may be useful for the optimization of BHJ film structures composed of NFAs and donor polymers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Uzma Jabeen, Anum Iqbal, Muhammad Aamir, Qamar Wali, Iqbal Ahmad, Muhammad Najam Khan Malghani, Javeed Akhtar
Summary: Zinc oxide and copper doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The bandgap of ZnO lattices decreased with an increasing doping of Cu ions. Additionally, Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully used in bulk heterojunction solar cells, showing the highest power conversion efficiency when doped with 12% Cu.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhizhao Cai, Xinyuan Ma, Jiefeng Cai, Zhenye Zhan, Dongxu Lin, Ke Chen, Pengyi Liu, Weiguang Xie
Summary: In this study, ultrathin BCP and ZrAcac were inserted between the perovskite and BHJ layers as an interface modification, successfully regulating carrier extraction and inhibiting charge recombination at the interface. This led to significant improvements in open-circuit voltage and fill factor, resulting in high conversion efficiency.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
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
Polymer Science
Washat Ware, Tia Wright, Yimin Mao, Shubo Han, Jessa Guffie, Evgeny O. Danilov, Jeromy Rech, Wei You, Zhiping Luo, Bhoj Gautam
Summary: Research shows that tuning aggregation in polymer blends can optimize charge generation, which is beneficial for the design of highly efficient organic photovoltaic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tao Zhan, Mingqun Yang, Ping Cai, Jiyeon Oh, Xiyue Yuan, Baoqi Wu, Langheng Pan, Yanfei Zhao, Changduk Yang, Chunhui Duan, Fei Huang, Yong Cao
Summary: A sequentially deposited (SD) active layer with a bulk-heterojunction-like morphology was developed by using a polymer acceptor with strong interchain interaction and low solubility, along with a well-soluble polymer donor. This SD active layer showed significantly increased photovoltaic performance in both conventional and inverted all-polymer solar cells, providing new insights for high-performance all-PSCs.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kiran Sreedhar Ram, Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad, David Ompong, Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia, Jai Singh
Summary: This paper characterises exciton generation in three types of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells, finding that the optimum thickness of the active layer affects the rate of exciton generation. Simulated results indicate that the inverted non-fullerene BHJ OSC1 shows better short circuit current density, potentially leading to better photovoltaic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaopeng Xu, Liyang Yu, Huifeng Meng, Liming Dai, He Yan, Ruipeng Li, Qiang Peng
Summary: By utilizing a sequential solution processing method, a more suitable IHJ nanostructure for organic solar cells has been achieved, leading to an increased power conversion efficiency. The IHJ structure, compared to the BHJ structure, can efficiently dissociate excitons, reduce charge recombination, and facilitate the transport of free electrons and holes through more straightforward pathways, ultimately enhancing performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shengfan Wu, Zhen Li, Jie Zhang, Xin Wu, Xiang Deng, Yiming Liu, Jingkun Zhou, Chunyi Zhi, Xinge Yu, Wallace C. H. Choy, Zonglong Zhu, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Lead halide perovskite and organic solar cells are seen as promising candidates for clean energy applications, but improvements are needed in the near-infrared photon loss and photovoltage deficit. By integrating low-bandgap organic bulk-heterojunction layers into inverted PSCs, high-performance hybrid solar cells can be constructed. These hybrid solar cells demonstrate excellent power conversion efficiency, extended photoresponse, and superior long-term stability compared to single-component PSCs and OSCs. With the highest efficiency reported for flexible solar cells to date, flexible HSCs can be integrated as a power source for wearable sensors, demonstrating real-time temperature monitoring capabilities.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
M. A. Farag, E. M. El-Menyawy, M. M. El-Nahass, T. Abdallah, G. M. Youssef
Summary: Hydrothermal technique was used to prepare CdSe nanorods for applications in bulk heterojunction solar cells. The study investigated the impact of CdSe NRs concentration on the photovoltaic properties of the devices, achieving a maximum photoelectrical conversion efficiency of about 2%.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lijiao Ma, Shaoqing Zhang, Jingwen Wang, Junzhen Ren, Mengyuan Gao, Jianqi Zhang, Tao Zhang, Huifeng Yao, Long Ye, Jianhui Hou
Summary: The morphology of the bulk heterojunction is crucial for the efficiency of OPV cells, and modulating electrostatic interaction plays a key role in improving efficiency. Compatibility between the donor and acceptor in the active layer is important for phase separation morphology, and a specific molecular design strategy is proposed to optimize the D:A bulk morphology.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting Yu, Wanting He, Maziar Jafari, Tugrul Guner, Pandeng Li, Mohamed Siaj, Ricardo Izquierdo, Baoquan Sun, Gregory C. Welch, Aycan Yurtsever, Dongling Ma
Summary: Advanced characterization techniques, including photoinduced force microscopy and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy, were used to explore the 3D nanoscale morphology of ternary organic solar cells blend film. The research found that the PDI-DPP-PDI acceptor can suppress the aggregation of fullerene molecules and generate a homogenous morphology, stabilizing the photoactive layer morphology.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shahidul Alam, Haya Aldosari, Christopher E. Petoukhoff, Tomas Vary, Wejdan Althobaiti, Maryam Alqurashi, Hua Tang, Jafar I. Khan, Vojtech Nadazdy, Peter Mueller-Buschbaum, Gregory C. Welch, Frederic Laquai
Summary: This study investigates the thermally-induced degradation of organic photovoltaic devices and its effect on their optical properties, photophysics, and morphology. The results show that the degradation limits the open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the devices, while the short-circuit current density is only slightly affected. Energy-resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal a higher energy barrier for charge transfer in the degraded samples. Furthermore, the study finds that field-dependent charge generation significantly limits device performance.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tongfa Liu, Yu Li, Rongguo Xu, Lingyun Lou, Jinqiang Gao, Kai Zhang, Mingzhu Su, Wei Qian, Gaopeng Wang, Shuang Xiao, Shihe Yang
Summary: An innovative perovskite/carbon bulk heterojunction for carbon-based perovskite solar cells is developed and studied, leading to improved efficiency and stability of the cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Segura-Sanchis, Roberto Fenollosa, Isabelle Rodriguez, Yann Molard, Stephane Cordier, Marta Feliz, Pedro Atienzar
Summary: Single crystals constructed from octahedral Mo-6 cluster units form Fabry-Perot type optical microcavities with well-defined resonances. Resonances in the VIS-NIR range strongly depend on crystal thickness and optical constants, which can be accurately determined by measuring crystal thickness and fitting optical constants through a process, with crystal orientation determined by X-ray diffraction.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Bruno Salgues, Rudraditya Sarkar, Muhammad Luthfi Fajri, Yatzil Alejandra Avalos-Quiroz, Anne-Doriane Manick, Michel Giorgi, Nicolas Vanthuyne, Yannick Carissan, Christine Videlot-Ackermann, Jorg Ackermann, Gabriel Canard, Jean-Luc Parrain, Boris Le Guennic, Denis Jacquemin, Muriel Amatore, Laurent Commeiras, Elena Zaborova, Frederic Fages
Summary: The novel di(benz[f]indenone)-fused tetraazaanthracene derivative synthesized in this study showed strong electron-accepting character, making it attractive for the generation of n-channel semiconducting materials. It exhibited electron transport in organic field effect transistors and demonstrated potential as an electron acceptor material in organic solar cells.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yatzil Alejandra Avalos Quiroz, Tomoyuki Koganezawa, Pavlo Perkhun, Elena Barulina, Carmen M. Ruiz, Jorg Ackermann, Noriyuki Yoshimoto, Christine Videlot-Ackermann
Summary: The continuous enhancement in power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells is attributable to the emergence of novel nonfullerene acceptors, highlighting the significance of understanding electron transport properties for improving performance.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Lucas Grilli, Fabrice Casset, Christine Bressy, Hugues Brisset, Jean-Francois Briand, Raphaelle Barry-Martinet, Mikael Colin
Summary: This paper presents the development and experimentation of transparent vibrating piezoelectric micromembranes for protecting immersed measurement instruments from marine biofouling. Laboratory bioassays showed great potential against bacterial adhesion, while in situ tests confirmed their antifouling effect. However, in situ experimentations revealed issues with the piezo driver actuating the vibrating membranes, indicating a need for further improvements.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Alexandre Sala, Hugues Brisset, Andre Margaillan, Jean-Ulrich Mullot, Catherine Branger
Summary: This article provides an overview of the current state of research on electrochemical sensors based on ion-imprinted polymers (IIPECS) for quantifying metal ions. The potential of IIPECS in quantifying metal ions with high sensitivity and selectivity is demonstrated through numerous application examples.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Claire Tonnele, Manon Catherin, Michel Giorgi, Gabriel Canard, David Casanova, Frederic Castet, Elena Zaborova, Frederic Fages
Summary: This study describes the synthesis and spectroscopic study of a bichromophoric molecule, DA-meso. It was found that the molecule could self-assemble in solution and exhibit significant changes in its optical properties. Experimental and theoretical analysis showed that DA-meso formed a dimer composed of four BF2-curcuminoid units. The spectral features of the DA-meso dimer were rationalized by considering the formation of a non-fluorescent J-aggregate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elora Vedie, Raphaelle Barry-Martinet, Vincent Senez, Mattias Berglin, Patrik Stenlund, Hugues Brisset, Christine Bressy, Jean-Francois Briand
Summary: This article examines the influence of surface characteristics and seawater parameters on the settlement of marine micro- and macroorganisms. It is found that mechanical properties and non-evolutive wettability do not have a major impact on biofouling abundance and diversity, while evolutive wetting properties can strongly reduce macrofouler colonization.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Juan Casanova-Chafer, Rocio Garcia-Aboal, Pedro Atienzar, Marta Feliz, Eduard Llobet
Summary: This paper reports the development of a gas-sensitive nanohybrid based on octahedral molybdenum iodide clusters supported on graphene flakes. It shows that the nanomaterial can be integrated into gas sensing devices due to its ability to change electrical resistivity and optical properties when exposed to gases at room temperature. The results demonstrate excellent sensing performance of the Mo-6@Graphene hybrid for NO2 in a chemoresistive device, and outstanding detection of NH3 using an optical transduction scheme.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joel Luke, Yong-Ryun Jo, Chieh-Ting Lin, Soonil Hong, Chandran Balamurugan, Jehan Kim, Byoungwook Park, Kwanghee Lee, James R. Durrant, Sooncheol Kwon, Bong-Joong Kim, Ji-Seon Kim
Summary: A ternary blend consisting of a tertiary acceptor incorporated into a donor:non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) binary blend has been explored for improving the power conversion efficiency and stability of organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaics (OPVs). In situ transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy were employed to investigate the effects of the tertiary component during annealing. It was found that the addition of the tertiary component delays the glass transition temperature of edge-on-oriented polymer donor, prohibits the glass transition of face-on-oriented polymer donor, broadens the crystallization temperature of the tertiary acceptor, and enhances the overall crystallinity of the donor and acceptor phases. Moreover, the ternary blend exhibits a homogeneously distributed nanoscale domain morphology, resulting in superior device performance and stability compared to the binary blend.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Aiswarya Abhisek Mohapatra, Manasi Pranav, Suraj Yadav, Chandrasekhar Gangadharappa, Jiaying Wu, Chiara Labanti, Jakob Wolansky, Johannes Benduhn, Ji-Seon Kim, James Durrant, Satish Patil
Summary: The introduction of nonfullerene acceptors has led to high-efficiency organic solar cells, but they still have greater losses in open-circuit voltage compared to inorganic or perovskite solar cells. To improve this, the high dipole moment of twisted perylene-diimide is utilized as a nonfullerene acceptor in this study. By modifying the cathode with a polyethylenimine interlayer, the open-circuit voltage of the organic solar cells is enhanced.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tack Ho Lee, Sam A. J. Hillman, Soranyel Gonzalez-Carrero, Alessandro Difilippo, James R. Durrant
Summary: This study investigates the role of a PM6 polymer overlayer on the photoexcited carrier dynamics in a Y6:PM6 bulk-heterojunction photoanode. The additional polymer layer increases the hole lifetime in the solid-state film. When the photoanode is electrically coupled to a platinum cathode, long-lived hole polaron states are observed on the timescale of seconds, leading to enhanced ascorbic acid oxidation performance without a co-catalyst.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhu Meng, Ernest Pastor, Shababa Selim, Haoqing Ning, Marios Maimaris, Andreas Kafizas, James R. Durrant, Artem A. Bakulin
Summary: In photoelectrochemical cells (PECs), carrier transport plays a significant role in photon-to-current conversion efficiency. Many metal oxides used in PECs exhibit thermally activated transport due to charge localization and interaction with defects, which affects catalysis. To improve transport efficiency, nanostructuring, selective doping, and photothermal treatments have been used. This study demonstrates a novel approach to directly activate localized carriers in bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) using infrared photons. The results show that optical excitation of localized charges enhances PEC current by modulating their kinetics. This research provides insights into defect-related photophysics and offers a possible method for device control.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Segura-Sanchis, Rocio Garcia-Aboal, Roberto Fenollosa, Fernando Ramiro-Manzano, Pedro Atienzar
Summary: This study investigated solution-grown single crystals of multidimensional 2D-3D hybrid lead bromide perovskites using spatially resolved photocurrent and photoluminescence. The results showed significant differences between 3D and multidimensional 2D-3D perovskites in terms of photocarrier decay length values and spatial dynamics across the crystal.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna A. Wilson, Lucy Hart, Thomas Shalvey, Michael Sachs, Weidong Xu, Benjamin Moss, Eva Mazzolini, Asim Mumtaz, James R. Durrant
Summary: The charge carrier dynamics of SrTiO3 were analyzed using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, which revealed significantly slower recombination kinetics compared to other metal oxides. This slow recombination is attributed to SrTiO3's high dielectric constant and is believed to play a central role in its exceptional performance in photocatalytic systems.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anna A. Wilson, Thomas P. Shalvey, Andreas Kafizas, Asim Mumtaz, James R. Durrant
Summary: This study investigates the charge carrier dynamics in SrTiO3 under applied bias and reveals the presence of Ti3+ defect states, which limit electron extraction and photocurrent. However, a long lifetime of photogenerated holes in SrTiO3 is observed even without applied bias, which is important for overcoming slow kinetics and hole accumulation in water oxidation reactions.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)