Effect of Polymer Nanoparticle Formation on the Efficiency of Polythiophene Based “Bulk-Heterojunction” Solar Cells

Moulé, Adam J.; Allard, Sybille; Kronenberg, Nils M.; Tsami, Argiri; Scherf, Ullrich; Meerholz, Klaus

doi:10.1021/jp8043016

Cited by 60 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…We make this distinction because measuring the overall crystallinity of a BHJ mixture has proven to be very difficult 22 and the packing of polymer domains can be very indefinite, as other studies have shown. 51,52 The TA and SA films are observed to have 62% and 63% aggregated P3HT, respectively, while the Ca capped films both only have ∼50%. It seems as if heating with a metal present causes reduced P3HT aggregation.…”

Section: Describing Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying organic solar cell morphology: a computational study of three-dimensional maps

Wodo

Roehling

Moulé

et al. 2013

Energy Environ. Sci.

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Establishing how fabrication conditions quantitatively affect the morphology of organic blends opens the possibility of rationally designing higher efficiency materials, yet such a relationship remains elusive. One of the major challenges stems from incomplete three-dimensional representations of morphology, which is due to the difficulties of performing accurate morphological measurements. Recently, three-dimensional measurements of mixed organic layers using electron tomography with high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) provided maps of morphology with high resolution and detail. Using a simple, yet powerful, computational tool kit, these complex 3D datasets are converted into a set of physically meaningful morphology descriptors. These descriptors provide means for converting these large, complicated data sets (∼5×10 7 voxels) into simple, descriptive parameters, enabling a quantitative comparison between morphologies fabricated under different conditions. A set of P3HT:endohedral fullerene bulk-heterojunctions, fabricated under conditions specifically chosen to yield a wide range of morphologies, are examined. The effects of processing conditions and electrode presence on interfacial area, domain size distribution, connectivity, and tortuosity of charge transport paths are herein determined directly from real-space data for the first time. Through this characterization, quantitative insights into the role of processing on morphology are provided, as well as a more complete picture of the consequences of a three-phase morphology. The analysis demonstrates a methodology which can enable a deeper understanding into morphology control.

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Section: Describing Morphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying organic solar cell morphology: a computational study of three-dimensional maps

Wodo

Roehling

Moulé

et al. 2013

Energy Environ. Sci.

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“…PQT12 is an interesting high REVIEW mobility polymer which has the same backbone of P3HT, yet its OPV device performs much worse compared to P3HT and in device fabrication, much more amount of PCBM is required. 74,75 Moule et al suggested that the poor connectivity of crystalline nanoparticles could be a reason for its poor performance. PBTTT is another high mobility donor polymer which is similar to PQT12.…”

Section: Nano-fibrillar Devicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the morphology of polymer‐based photovoltaics

Liu

Jung

et al. 2012

J Polym Sci B Polym Phys

308

248

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We review the morphologies of polymer-based solar cells and the parameters that govern the evolution of the morphologies and describe different approaches to achieve the optimum morphology for a BHJ OPV. While there are some distinct differences, there are also some commonalities. It is evident that morphology and the control of the morphology are important for device performance and, by controlling the thermodynamics, in particular, the interactions of the components, and by controlling kinetic parameters, like the rate of solvent evaporation, crystallization and phase separation, optimized morphologies for a given system can be achieved. While much research has focused on P3HT, it is evident that a clearer understanding of the morphology and the evolution of the morphology in low bad gap polymer systems will increase the efficiency further. While current OPVs are on the verge of breaking the 10% barrier, manipulating and controlling the morphology will still be key for device optimization and, equally important, for the fabrication of these devices in an industrial setting.

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“…[34] Our efforts focused on the idea that we could use conjugated polymers with reduced solubility in what would normally be thought of as good solvents for bulkheterojunction mixtures, such as chlorobenzene (CB) or orthodichlorobenzene (ODCB), to produce high-efficiency as-cast bulk heterojunctions with high crystalline content. We decided to investigate PQT because it is known from the literature to possess a high field-effect mobility [35] and to spontaneously form nanoparticles in solution.…”

Section: The Use Of Polymer Nanoparticlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology Control in Solution‐Processed Bulk‐Heterojunction Solar Cell Mixtures

Moulé

Meerholz

2009

Adv Funct Materials

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256

241

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The efficiency of bulk‐heterojunction solar cells is very sensitive to the nanoscale structure of the active layer. In the past, the final morphology in solution‐processed devices has been controlled by varying the casting solvent and by curing the layer using heat tempering or solvent soaking. A recipe for making the “best‐performing” morphology can be achieved using these steps. This article presents a review of several new techniques that have been developed to control the morphology in polymer/fullerene heterojunction mixtures. The techniques fall into two broad categories. First, the morphology can be controlled by preparing nanoparticle suspensions of one component. The size and shape of the nanoparticles in solution determine the size and shape of the domain in a mixed layer. Second, the morphology can be controlled by adding a secondary solvent or an additive that more strongly affects one component of the mixture during drying. In both cases, the as‐cast efficiency of the solar cell is improved with respect to the single‐solvent case, which strongly argues that morphology control is an issue that will receive increasing attention in future research.

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Effect of Polymer Nanoparticle Formation on the Efficiency of Polythiophene Based “Bulk-Heterojunction” Solar Cells

Cited by 60 publications

References 37 publications

Quantifying organic solar cell morphology: a computational study of three-dimensional maps

Quantifying organic solar cell morphology: a computational study of three-dimensional maps

On the morphology of polymer‐based photovoltaics

Morphology Control in Solution‐Processed Bulk‐Heterojunction Solar Cell Mixtures

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