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Low-Temperature Processed Efficient and Reproducible Blade-Coating Organic Photovoltaic Devices with γ-Position
Donghoo Won1, So-Huei Kang1, Jaeyeong Park1
1School of Energy and Chemical Engineering Perovtronics Research Center Low Dimensional Carbon Materials Center Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun Ulsan 44919 South Korea.
Researchers developed a new organic photovoltaic (OPV) material, BTP-eC9-γ, enabling efficient blade-coating fabrication using eco-friendly solvents at lower temperatures. This breakthrough enhances device reproducibility and stability for industrial production.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Blade-coating organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices processed at high temperatures achieve high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) but suffer from poor reproducibility and stability.
- Developing OPV devices using eco-friendly, nonhalogenated solvents is crucial for sustainable energy solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) that enhances solubility and allows for low-temperature processing in blade-coating OPVs.
- To improve the reproducibility and stability of OPV devices fabricated using nonhalogenated solvents.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a new NFA, BTP-eC9-γ, featuring γ-position-branched inner side chains to enhance solubility in nonhalogenated toluene.
- Fabrication of blade-coating OPV devices using BTP-eC9-γ and toluene at a substrate temperature of 40°C.
- Characterization of device performance, film uniformity, and reproducibility.
Main Results:
- BTP-eC9-γ exhibits enhanced solubility in toluene, reducing aggregation and enabling low-temperature processing.
- Optimized devices achieved high PCEs of 16.43% (0.04 cm²) and 14.95% (1.0 cm²).
- High film uniformity at 40°C processing temperature led to superior device reproducibility, attributed to minimized alterations in fluid flow kinetics.
Conclusions:
- The BTP-eC9-γ acceptor facilitates efficient and reproducible fabrication of blade-coating OPVs at lower substrate temperatures using nonhalogenated solvents.
- This advancement represents a significant step towards the industrial-scale production of stable and efficient OPV devices.
