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Free charge photogeneration in a single component high photovoltaic efficiency organic semiconductor

Author

Listed:
  • Michael B. Price

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Paul A. Hume

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Aleksandra Ilina

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Isabella Wagner

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Ronnie R. Tamming

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
    Victoria University of Wellington
    Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Karen E. Thorn

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Wanting Jiao

    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Alison Goldingay

    (University of Sydney)

  • Patrick J. Conaghan

    (University of Sydney)

  • Girish Lakhwani

    (University of Sydney)

  • Nathaniel J. L. K. Davis

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

  • Yifan Wang

    (Peking University
    Qingdao University)

  • Peiyao Xue

    (Peking University)

  • Heng Lu

    (Peking University)

  • Kai Chen

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
    Victoria University of Wellington
    Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Xiaowei Zhan

    (Peking University)

  • Justin M. Hodgkiss

    (Victoria University of Wellington
    MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology)

Abstract

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) promise cheap and flexible solar energy. Whereas light generates free charges in silicon photovoltaics, excitons are normally formed in organic semiconductors due to their low dielectric constants, and require molecular heterojunctions to split into charges. Recent record efficiency OPVs utilise the small molecule, Y6, and its analogues, which – unlike previous organic semiconductors – have low band-gaps and high dielectric constants. We show that, in Y6 films, these factors lead to intrinsic free charge generation without a heterojunction. Intensity-dependent spectroscopy reveals that 60–90% of excitons form free charges at AM1.5 light intensity. Bimolecular recombination, and hole traps constrain single component Y6 photovoltaics to low efficiencies, but recombination is reduced by small quantities of donor. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal strong coupling between exciton and CT states, and an intermolecular polarisation pattern that drives exciton dissociation. Our results challenge how current OPVs operate, and renew the possibility of efficient single-component OPVs.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael B. Price & Paul A. Hume & Aleksandra Ilina & Isabella Wagner & Ronnie R. Tamming & Karen E. Thorn & Wanting Jiao & Alison Goldingay & Patrick J. Conaghan & Girish Lakhwani & Nathaniel J. L. K., 2022. "Free charge photogeneration in a single component high photovoltaic efficiency organic semiconductor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30127-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30127-8
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    2. Zhen Wang & Yu Guo & Xianzhao Liu & Wenchao Shu & Guangchao Han & Kan Ding & Subhrangsu Mukherjee & Nan Zhang & Hin-Lap Yip & Yuanping Yi & Harald Ade & Philip C. Y. Chow, 2024. "The role of interfacial donor–acceptor percolation in efficient and stable all-polymer solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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