Theory-Guided Material Design Enabling High-Performance Multifunctional Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics without
Wuyue Liu1,2, Shaoming Sun1,2, Shengjie Xu1
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|March 2, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new model to design better semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs). This led to a novel material, ATT-9, achieving record efficiency and excellent thermal insulation for building applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) are promising for building-integrated applications.
- The "complementary NIR absorption" strategy enhances ST-OPV performance.
- Rational material design for high-performance ST-OPVs remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an external quantum efficiency (EQE) model for "complementary NIR absorption" in ST-OPVs.
- To explore the full potential of material design for optimizing ST-OPV performance.
- To design and synthesize a novel nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) guided by the developed model.
Main Methods:
- Development of an EQE model for ST-OPVs.
- Design and synthesis of a novel NFA (ATT-9).
- Characterization of ST-OPV device performance, including short-circuit current density, power conversion efficiency, and energy loss.
- Measurement of Urbach energy to assess energetic disorder.
- Evaluation of light utilization efficiency and thermal insulation properties.
Main Results:
- The EQE model facilitated rational material design.
- The novel NFA, ATT-9, achieved a record short-circuit current density of 30 mA cm-2 and a power conversion efficiency of 13.40%.
- ATT-9-based ST-OPVs exhibited the highest efficiency among NFAs with bandgaps below 1.2 eV.
- Low energy loss (0.58 eV) and ultralow Urbach energy (21.6 meV) were observed, indicating reduced energetic disorder.
- High light utilization efficiency (3.33%) and superior thermal insulation properties were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The developed EQE model is effective for guiding material design in ST-OPVs.
- The novel ATT-9 NFA significantly advances ST-OPV performance, particularly for low bandgap devices.
- The multifunctional nature of ATT-9-based ST-OPVs, combining power generation and thermal insulation, highlights their potential for integrated applications.
