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Aminonaphthalimide-Based Molecular Cathode Interlayers for As-Cast Organic Solar Cells
Yong Zhao1, Yang Liu1, Xiaojie Liu1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, P. R. China.
Chemsuschem
|August 31, 2021
Summary
New imide-based small molecules enhance organic solar cell performance. NEA demonstrated superior conductivity and electron mobility, leading to high power conversion efficiencies up to 15.80% in ternary devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) require efficient cathode interfacial materials to improve performance.
- Imide-based small molecules offer tunable electronic properties for OSC applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel imide-based small molecules as cathode interfacial materials for OSCs.
- To investigate the effect of amine side-chain substitution on molecular properties and device performance.
- To evaluate the photovoltaic performance and stability of OSCs utilizing these new materials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of imide-based small molecules (NA, NAA, NEA) with varying amine side-chains.
- Characterization of optical and electronic properties (absorption, band gap, HOMO levels).
- Fabrication and testing of OSCs using these molecules as cathode interfacial layers, including blend and ternary devices.
Main Results:
- NEA exhibited bathochromic shifts, decreased band gaps, and higher HOMO levels compared to NA and NAA.
- NEA-based OSCs achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.04% in binary blends and 15.80% in ternary blends.
- NEA demonstrated superior conductivity, electron mobility, and work function lowering capability, contributing to enhanced photovoltaic performance.
- All synthesized molecules showed excellent thermal stability up to 150°C.
Conclusions:
- Imide-based small molecules, particularly NEA, are effective cathode interfacial materials for high-performance OSCs.
- Systematic variation of amine side-chains significantly impacts molecular properties and device efficiency.
- These materials show promise for the commercialization of organic solar cells.
