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Aggregation and morphology control enables multiple cases of high-efficiency polymer solar cells

Author

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  • Yuhang Liu

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Jingbo Zhao

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zhengke Li

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Cheng Mu

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Wei Ma

    (North Carolina State University
    Current Address: XJTU-HKUST Joint School of Sustainable Development, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China)

  • Huawei Hu

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Kui Jiang

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Haoran Lin

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Harald Ade

    (North Carolina State University)

  • He Yan

    (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    HKUST-Shenzhen Research Institute)

Abstract

Although the field of polymer solar cell has seen much progress in device performance in the past few years, several limitations are holding back its further development. For instance, current high-efficiency (>9.0%) cells are restricted to material combinations that are based on limited donor polymers and only one specific fullerene acceptor. Here we report the achievement of high-performance (efficiencies up to 10.8%, fill factors up to 77%) thick-film polymer solar cells for multiple polymer:fullerene combinations via the formation of a near-ideal polymer:fullerene morphology that contains highly crystalline yet reasonably small polymer domains. This morphology is controlled by the temperature-dependent aggregation behaviour of the donor polymers and is insensitive to the choice of fullerenes. The uncovered aggregation and design rules yield three high-efficiency (>10%) donor polymers and will allow further synthetic advances and matching of both the polymer and fullerene materials, potentially leading to significantly improved performance and increased design flexibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuhang Liu & Jingbo Zhao & Zhengke Li & Cheng Mu & Wei Ma & Huawei Hu & Kui Jiang & Haoran Lin & Harald Ade & He Yan, 2014. "Aggregation and morphology control enables multiple cases of high-efficiency polymer solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6293
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6293
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    Cited by:

    1. Xinxin Xia & Tsz-Ki Lau & Xuyun Guo & Yuhao Li & Minchao Qin & Kuan Liu & Zeng Chen & Xiaozhi Zhan & Yiqun Xiao & Pok Fung Chan & Heng Liu & Luhang Xu & Guilong Cai & Na Li & Haiming Zhu & Gang Li & Y, 2021. "Uncovering the out-of-plane nanomorphology of organic photovoltaic bulk heterojunction by GTSAXS," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Ibn-Mohammed, T. & Koh, S.C.L. & Reaney, I.M. & Acquaye, A. & Schileo, G. & Mustapha, K.B. & Greenough, R., 2017. "Perovskite solar cells: An integrated hybrid lifecycle assessment and review in comparison with other photovoltaic technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1321-1344.
    3. Yang-Yang Zhou & Yu-Chun Xu & Ze-Fan Yao & Jia-Ye Li & Chen-Kai Pan & Yang Lu & Chi-Yuan Yang & Li Ding & Bu-Fan Xiao & Xin-Yi Wang & Yu Shao & Wen-Bin Zhang & Jie-Yu Wang & Huan Wang & Jian Pei, 2023. "Visualizing the multi-level assembly structures of conjugated molecular systems with chain-length dependent behavior," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Mehmood, Umer & Al-Ahmed, Amir & Hussein, Ibnelwaleed A., 2016. "Review on recent advances in polythiophene based photovoltaic devices," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 550-561.
    5. Pengqing Bi & Tao Zhang & Yuanyuan Guo & Jianqiu Wang & Xian Wei Chua & Zhihao Chen & Wei Peng Goh & Changyun Jiang & Elbert E. M. Chia & Jianhui Hou & Le Yang, 2024. "Donor-acceptor bulk-heterojunction sensitizer for efficient solid-state infrared-to-visible photon up-conversion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Guo, Lukai & Wang, Hao, 2022. "Non-intrusive movable energy harvesting devices: Materials, designs, and their prospective uses on transportation infrastructures," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    7. Zhen Luo & Bo Yang & Yiming Bai & Tasawar Hayat & Ahmed Alsaedi & Zhan’ao Tan, 2018. "Efficient Polymer Solar Cells with Alcohol-Soluble Zirconium(IV) Isopropoxide Cathode Buffer Layer," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-11, February.

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