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Polymers02:34

Polymers

41.2K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
3.9K
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

4.0K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
4.0K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

3.3K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight

3.9K
Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight.  So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
3.9K

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Ambient Method for the Production of an Ionically Gated Carbon Nanotube Common Cathode in Tandem Organic Solar Cells
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Ambient Method for the Production of an Ionically Gated Carbon Nanotube Common Cathode in Tandem Organic Solar Cells

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Perylene Diimide-Based Zwitterion as the Cathode Interlayer for High-Performance Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells.

Changjian Song1,2, Xiaohui Liu1, Xiaodong Li1

  • 1Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 20, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a novel zwitterion perylene diimide (PDI-z) as an electron-transport layer (ETL) for nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs). This PDI-z material enables high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and is compatible with scalable printing fabrication techniques.

Keywords:
electron-transport layer (ETL)high WF metalsnonfullerene polymer solar cellssmall-molecule zwitterionthickness insensitivity

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Organic Electronics
  • Photovoltaics

Background:

  • Nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs) are of significant interest due to their tunable properties and potential for low-cost manufacturing.
  • Efficient electron-transport layers (ETLs) are crucial for optimizing PSC performance and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and evaluate a novel zwitterion perylene diimide (PDI-z) as an electron-transport layer (ETL) for nonfullerene PSCs.
  • To investigate the performance and scalability of PSCs utilizing the PDI-z interlayer.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a water-/alcohol-soluble zwitterion perylene diimide (PDI-z) with a sulfobetaine ion substituent.
  • Fabrication and characterization of nonfullerene PSC devices employing PDI-z as the ETL.
  • Evaluation of device performance, including power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability across varying interlayer thicknesses.

Main Results:

  • The PDI-z ETL enabled nonfullerene PSCs to achieve an optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE) exceeding 11.23%.
  • Devices demonstrated excellent performance with a wide range of interlayer thicknesses, compatible with printing fabrication.
  • The PDI-z interlayer effectively modified high work function metals (Au, Cu, Ag), with an Ag-based device achieving a PCE of 9.38%.

Conclusions:

  • The synthesized PDI-z serves as a highly effective electron-transport layer for high-efficiency nonfullerene PSCs.
  • The PDI-z interlayer offers a promising alternative for scalable and printable solar cell fabrication.
  • This work contributes to the advancement of efficient and cost-effective organic photovoltaic technologies.