Achieving High Efficiency of PTB7‐Based Polymer Solar Cells via Integrated Optimization of Both Anode and Cathode Interlayers

Abstract

A poly(thieno[3,4‐b]‐thiophene/benzodi­thiophene) (PTB7)‐based polymer solar cell (PSC) with conventional structure can achieve a significant power conversion efficiency of 8.42%, which is realized by integrated optimization of both anode and cathode interlayers. The effects of a conjugated microporous polymer film as the anode interlayer are threefold: it enhances the contact with active layer, increases the work function and conductivity, and blocks electrons.

Trends and challenges for microporous polymers

“…In OSCs power-conversion efficiencies of 8.42% have been reached vs. 5.68% for the OSC without an interlayer. 133 Jiang et al later built CMPs from carbazole-functionalized tris(2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)borane (TPB) by electropolymerization, which acted as hole-and electron-selective electrode interlayers between the active layers and conducting electrodes that control the transport of charge carriers in and out of devices. The work function of these polymers could be tuned by ionic ligation on the central boron atom and further by electrooxidation, switching the networks from electron to hole conductors.…”

Application of a water-soluble metallophthalocyanine derivative as a cathode interlayer for the polymer solar cells

“…Therefore, exploration of the new applications and functions of MPc in organic electronic devices shows great potential. In this contribution, we report a MPc derivative ZnPc[S(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 3 ) 3 I] 8 with eight ammonium salts as terminal groups and its application as a CIL in the PSCs. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.06% has been obtained when the ZnPc[S(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 3 ) 3 I] 8 was utilized as a CIL in the PSCs based on a blend of PCDTBT (poly[N-9″-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole)]) and PC 71 BM ([6,6]-phenyl C 71 butyric acid methyl ester) as an active layer.…”

“…Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs has been over efficiencies of 9% with good ambient stability for single cell devices [7][8][9]. In order to improve the PCE of PSCs, significant efforts have been made in terms of new material synthesis [10][11][12], device structure optimization [13][14][15][16] and controlling the morphology of the active layer [17][18][19][20].…”

Morphology construction of vertical phase separation for large-area polymer solar cells

“…Due to high reproducibility and precision [3], the spin coating technique is the most used method for fabrication of small-area device (typically few square millimeters), and much effort has been devoted to the optimization of fabrication conditions [4,5], development of post-treatment methods [6][7][8][9][10], and synthesis of new conjugated polymers [11][12][13]. To date, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of small-area PSC devices has reached over 10% threshold [14,15].…”