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All-Polymer Solar Cells Based on a Conjugated Polymer Containing Siloxane-Functionalized Side Chains with Efficiency
Baobing Fan1, Lei Ying1, Peng Zhu1
1Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|November 8, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a novel conjugated copolymer for highly efficient all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs). These room-temperature processed devices achieve a record 10.1% power conversion efficiency (PCE) using green solvents.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) offer advantages like mechanical flexibility and solution processability.
- Developing novel conjugated polymers is crucial for enhancing all-PSC performance and stability.
- Efficient charge transport and favorable morphology are key challenges in all-PSC design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel wide-bandgap conjugated copolymer for all-PSC applications.
- To fabricate and evaluate the performance of all-PSCs using the developed copolymer.
- To investigate the factors contributing to the high efficiency and stability of the fabricated all-PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel imide-functionalized benzotriazole-based conjugated copolymer with a siloxane-terminated side-chain.
- Fabrication of all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) using the synthesized copolymer as the donor material and a naphthalene diimide-based polymer as the acceptor.
- Device characterization including power conversion efficiency (PCE) measurements under simulated sunlight, and stability testing under thermal annealing.
- Morphological and charge transport properties analysis.
Main Results:
- A novel wide-bandgap conjugated copolymer was successfully synthesized.
- The fabricated all-PSCs achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.1%, a record for all-PSCs.
- The devices demonstrated excellent thermal stability, retaining 9.4% PCE after annealing at 80 °C for 24 hours.
- High and balanced charge carrier mobility, favorable face-on orientation, and high crystallinity were observed.
Conclusions:
- The novel conjugated copolymer is a promising material for high-performance all-polymer solar cells.
- Room-temperature processing with green solvents is feasible for efficient all-PSC fabrication.
- The achieved efficiency and stability highlight the potential of this copolymer for practical photovoltaic applications.
