Quantitative characterization of phase separation in the photoactive layer of polymer solar cells by the phase image of atomic force microscopy

Gao, Hongjun; Zhang, X.W.; Meng, Jiaqi; Yin, Zhigang; Zhang, L.Q.; Wu, Jiang; Liu, X.

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2015.01.009

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The results are shown in Figure a–f. AFM phase image offers a comprehensive details of surface mechanics, and the differences contrast revealed the states surface and aggregation induced by the evaporation processes associated with different solvents. Near‐infrared reflection was utilized in order to investigate the vertical component distribution in films, and the results were illustrated in Figure g.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Realization of Large‐Scale Polymer Solar Cells Using Ultrasonic Spray Technique Via Solvent Engineering

Cheng

Meng

et al. 2018

Solar RRL

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Reliability and reproducibility remain as main challenges in the realization of large‐scale polymer solar cells. An easy and smart method to prototyping a high yield and large‐scale PTB7:PC71BM solar cell is demonstrated by modified ultrasonic spray coating method, using a novel precursor solution containing a portion of a lower‐toxicity trimethylbenzene. The formation of Marangoni‐effect related defects such as coffee‐rings and pin holes is successfully overcome via tuning the drying processes with optimization of the solvent ratio. XPS analysis confirms that the PTB7 enriched surface resulted in a vertical phase separated structure, and led to higher mobility of charge carriers to transport from the film to the buffer layer. The power conversion efficiency of the solar cell is improved to 8.23%. As well, the preparation of a large‐scale active area solar cell of 18 cm2 with a maximum power output of 74.8 mW is demonstrated promising for industrial applications.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Realization of Large‐Scale Polymer Solar Cells Using Ultrasonic Spray Technique Via Solvent Engineering

Cheng

Meng

et al. 2018

Solar RRL

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“…The methodology also can be used to study the polymer solar cells. The pending atomic force microscopy (AFM) images were delimited from previous investigation 18 which was reported ( Fig. 9b ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 17 ; ( b ) AFM images reported by Gao et al . 18 ; ( c ) images in the biorector reported by Rodriguez et al . 19 ; ( d ) S 2 of ( a ); ( e ) S 2 of ( b ); ( f ) S 2 of ( c ).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 97%

Quantifying the evolution of flow boiling bubbles by statistical testing and image analysis: toward a general model

Xiao

Wang

2016

Sci Rep

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A new index, the estimate of the error variance, which can be used to quantify the evolution of the flow patterns when multiphase components or tracers are difficultly distinguishable, was proposed. The homogeneity degree of the luminance space distribution behind the viewing windows in the direct contact boiling heat transfer process was explored. With image analysis and a linear statistical model, the F-test of the statistical analysis was used to test whether the light was uniform, and a non-linear method was used to determine the direction and position of a fixed source light. The experimental results showed that the inflection point of the new index was approximately equal to the mixing time. The new index has been popularized and applied to a multiphase macro mixing process by top blowing in a stirred tank. Moreover, a general quantifying model was introduced for demonstrating the relationship between the flow patterns of the bubble swarms and heat transfer. The results can be applied to investigate other mixing processes that are very difficult to recognize the target.

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“…In order to investigate the material-specific morphology of the BHJ, we have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) phase imaging. − This approach is often employed to investigate the surface of organic BHJ solar cells. − ,− Yet, despite numerous studies, a clear model of the material-specific BHJ morphology is still not presented. To obtain meaningful results with AFM phase imaging, special care is needed to select proper instrument settings for feedback loop as well as for strength of tip–surface interaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, important requirement for proper AFM phase image interpretation is to obtain an unambiguous identification of polymer and fullerene material. In previous studies, identification of materials by AFM phase imaging has not been reported. − ,− Alongside with AFM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements have also been used to investigate BHJ morphology. TEM measurements have been able to identify immense fullerene aggregates due to larger electron densities. ,, However, for optimized BHJ morphologies, TEM failed to resolve structure of smaller clusters ,, most likely due to the signal integration over the film thickness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining Material-Specific Morphology of Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells Using AFM Phase Imaging

et al. 2017

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A technique for determining the materialspecific morphology of a polymer−fullerene blend is presented. This technique is applied to solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells with different weight ratios of polymer−fullerene blend using the PTB7:PCBM material system. Optical and electrical characterizations show that the light absorption increases for larger polymer (PTB7) content, while the fill factor of the fabricated solar cells is improved for larger fullerene (PCBM) content. The materialspecific morphologies of polymer−fullerene bulk-heterojunctions are measured by employing AFM phase imaging. The measured AFM phase images reveal that fullerene material forms flake-like clusters which are embedded in the polymer network. The size of the flakes is increasing with larger content of fullerene material. By correlating the optical and electrical properties with the measured bulk-heterojunction morphologies, the relation between bulk-heterojunction structure and solar cell performances is discussed.

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Quantitative characterization of phase separation in the photoactive layer of polymer solar cells by the phase image of atomic force microscopy

Cited by 9 publications

References 44 publications

Realization of Large‐Scale Polymer Solar Cells Using Ultrasonic Spray Technique Via Solvent Engineering

Realization of Large‐Scale Polymer Solar Cells Using Ultrasonic Spray Technique Via Solvent Engineering

Quantifying the evolution of flow boiling bubbles by statistical testing and image analysis: toward a general model

Determining Material-Specific Morphology of Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells Using AFM Phase Imaging

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