A robust and thickness-insensitive hybrid cathode interlayer for high-efficiency and stable inverted organic solar cells

Abstract

High efficiency and stability, low-cost and large-area solution processing are critical for the commercialization of organic solar cells (OSCs), and there are still great challenges to develop appropriate cathode interlayer...

Enhancing the efficiency and stability of inverted binary organic solar cells through hydroxylated perylene diimide derivative cathode interlayers

“…21–26 While the active layer plays a critical role in enhancing device performance, 27,28 the cathode interlayer (CIL) is equally essential for achieving high performance and stability in OSCs. 29–37 Positioned between the photoactive layer and the cathode, CILs are responsible for electron transport and hole blocking. 38,39 Metallic oxides, such as ZnO, known for their good electron mobility, high optical transparency in the visible region, and stable chemical structure composition, have been widely used as CILs in inverted OSC devices.…”

“…Perylene diimide derivatives (PDI derivatives), which are exemplary n-type organic semiconductors, have been widely used as CILs in conventional OSCs because of their cost-effectiveness, excellent planarity, high conductivity, and adjustable photoelectric characteristics. 29,33–36 In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of PDI derivatives featuring hydroxylated side chains, specifically PDI-Br-0O , PDI-Br-1O , and PDI-Br-3O , as CILs for inverted OSCs. The hydroxylated PDI derivatives ( PDI-Br-1O and PDI-Br-3O ) demonstrated a wider optical bandgap and possess low-lying molecular orbitals, which contribute to efficient photon utilization and enhanced charge transport within OSCs.…”

Counter-anion size engineering in polyfluorene-based cathode interlayers to enhance thickness independence

“…35,39,40 To utilize PFN-based CIMs in scalable applications, the “thickness tolerance” property should be satisfied for further acceleration and development of PFN-based CIMs. 41–46…”

Regulating Crystallinity and Miscibility via Ternary Strategy Triggers Efficient All-Small-Molecule Organic Solar Cells

“…Organic solar cells (OSCs) are an encouraging photovoltaic technology with lightweight, low-cost, and mechanical flexibility advantages. − Recently, with the progress of device engineering and innovation of active layer materials, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of polymer-based OSCs (P-OSCs) have been continuously broken through, surpassing 20%. − Compared with P-OSCs, all-small-molecule OSCs (ASM-OSCs) have advantages of well-defined molecule structure and low variations between batches, etc. − Unfortunately, the PCEs of ASM-OSCs are relatively inferior mainly imputed to the unmanageable molecule aggregation and phase separation behaviors in the active layers. − Therefore, it is of great significance to fine-tune active layer morphologies to realize efficient charge transport and extraction, thus improving the PCEs of ASM-OSCs.…”