High-Performance Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells based on Imide-Functionalized Wide-Bandgap Polymers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs) are a promising renewable energy technology.
• Developing efficient and stable electron-donating materials is crucial for advancing PSC performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and investigate wide-bandgap electron-donating polymers (PTzBI and PTzBI-DT) for high-performance nonfullerene PSCs.
• To explore the impact of extended conjugation on material properties and device performance.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a nonfullerene acceptor (ITIC) with novel conjugated polymers (PTzBI, PTzBI-DT).
• Fabrication and characterization of single-junction PSCs.
• Analysis of optical, electronic, and morphological properties of bulk-heterojunction films.
• Evaluation of device power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and operational stability.

Main Results:

• PSCs based on PTzBI:ITIC and PTzBI-DT:ITIC achieved PCEs of 10.24% and 9.43%, respectively.
• The PTzBI:ITIC device demonstrated a notable 7% PCE with a thick active layer (300 nm).
• The PTzBI:ITIC device maintained 9.34% PCE after annealing at 130 °C for 120 min, indicating good stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed wide-bandgap conjugated polymers are effective electron donors for high-performance nonfullerene PSCs.
• Extended conjugation in polymers influences optoelectronic properties and device outcomes.
• These materials show potential for high-throughput manufacturing and stable solar energy conversion.