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Highly efficient polymer solar cells by step-by-step optimizing donor molecular packing and acceptor redistribution
Qianqian Sun1, Fujun Zhang1, Qiaoshi An1
1Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information, Ministry of Education, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China. fjzhang@bjtu.edu.cn.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|December 6, 2016
Summary
Optimizing polymer solar cell (PSC) performance involves controlling active layer drying. Two post-treatments enhance donor packing and acceptor distribution, boosting power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) significantly.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- The performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs) is critically dependent on the morphology of the active layer.
- Controlling donor molecular packing and acceptor redistribution during film formation is key to optimizing PSC efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dynamic drying and successive post-treatments on PSC active layer morphology and performance.
- To enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PffBT4T-2OD:PC71BM based PSCs through optimized processing.
Main Methods:
- Active layers were prepared using spin-coating followed by controlled self-assembly and methanol soaking.
- A PFN interfacial layer was introduced to further improve charge collection.
- Morphology was characterized using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Main Results:
- Self-assembly (80 min) and methanol soaking (20 s) improved PSC PCE from 6.74% to 8.75%.
- Insertion of a PFN interfacial layer further increased PCE to 9.72%.
- Improvements were attributed to optimized molecular packing, vertical phase separation, and efficient charge collection.
Conclusions:
- A step-by-step optimization strategy involving controlled drying, self-assembly, solvent treatment, and interfacial engineering is highly effective.
- Optimized active layer morphology significantly enhances PSC performance.
- The findings provide a pathway for developing high-efficiency polymer solar cells.
