Towards High-Performance Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics: Dual-Functional p-Type Soft Interlayer

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are promising for building-integrated applications like greenhouses.
• Commercialization is hindered by the trade-off between visible light transmittance and power conversion efficiency (PCE).
• Opaque electrodes in OPVs reduce light absorption, while semitransparent ones can impair charge carrier extraction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the efficiency-transmittance conflict in semitransparent OPVs.
• To enhance charge carrier extraction and visible light transmittance simultaneously.
• To develop a dual-function interlayer for improved OPV performance.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of a novel dual-function p-type compatible interlayer.
• Modification of the interface between the hole-transporting layer and the ultrathin electrode.
• Characterization of device performance, including PCE and average visible transmittance (AVT).

Main Results:

• The p-type interlayer successfully enhanced charge carrier extraction.
• The interlayer increased light transmittance in the 400-450 nm range, crucial for photosynthesis.
• Modified semitransparent OPVs achieved a PCE of 13.7% and an AVT of 22.2%.

Conclusions:

• The developed interlayer effectively balances PCE and AVT in semitransparent OPVs.
• This approach offers a viable solution for energy-generating greenhouses and other building-integrated photovoltaic applications.
• Further development of such interlayers could accelerate the commercialization of semitransparent OPVs.