The renaissance of hybrid solar cells: progresses, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract

Solution-processed hybrid solar cells, a blend of conjugated polymers and semiconducting nanocrystals, are a promising candidate for next-generation energy-conversion devices. The renaissance of this field in recent years has yielded a much deeper understanding of optoelectronic interactions in organicinorganic hybrid systems. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art progress in hybrid bulk heterojunction solar cells, covering new materials design, interfacial interaction, and processing control. Furthermore, critical challenges that determine photovoltaic performance and prospects for future directions are discussed. Broader context Global warming and fossil fuel depletion are driving humans to explore green and renewable energy sources. Solution-processed hybrid photovoltaics, a blend of conjugated polymers and semiconducting nanocrystals, are a promising candidate to convert sunlight into electricity. Hybrid photovoltaics combine the unique advantages of organic and inorganic semiconductors, i.e., cost-effective manufacturing processes, tunable absorption regimes, high charge carrier mobility, and high dielectric constant. The study of hybrid photovoltaics is multidisciplinary, covering organic and inorganic semiconducting materials, surface ligand design, device structure design, and efficiency optimization. This review article gives an in-depth understanding of photovoltaic processes in the operation of hybrid photovoltaics, and relates primary studies with these processes. Current challenges of hybrid photovoltaics are also discussed, and directions for further research are proposed.

Effect of TBPO-capped CdSe nanoparticles concentration on sub-bandgap absorption in poly(3-hexylthiophene) thin films studied by photothermal deflection spectroscopy

“…Several capping strategies have emerged in the literature: the ligand exchange [15][16][17], the use of novel surfactants [18,19], the synthesis of NPs with thermally cleavable ligands [20], the synthesis of NPs in solutions of polymers [21,22], the polymerization of polymers on the surface of NPs [23], and the deposition of a polymer containing a soluble precursor of the NPs [24]. More details on the role of capping ligands/polymers can be found in recent works [25][26][27][28][29]. The elongated or branched between ligand of nanoparticles and the polymer matrix can provide more extended and directed electrical pathways that reduce the inter-particle hopping events necessary for the extraction of electrons.…”

Charge generation in polymer–fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells

“…The readers who are interested in other acceptors like polymers, nanocrystals, or perylene diimides are referred to some recent articles. [29][30][31][32][33][34] 2. From charge-transfer states to free charge carriers…”

Random Terpolymer Designed with Tunable Fluorescence Lifetime for Efficient Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cells

“…[2][3][4] Up to now, despite the developments of HSCs in recent years, their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are still low, mostly ranging from 1% to 3%. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Previously, many attempts have been devoted to narrow band gap polymers for the enhanced light harvest. 11,12 However, these demonstrations usually result in a low photoexcited carrier transfer efficiency, because suitable polymeric materials that have long lifetimes of the high lying excited state are not well deployed.…”