Flexible all-solution-processed all-plastic multijunction solar cells for powering electronic devices

Abstract

We demonstrate the first all-plastic multijunction solar cells that all layers are solution processed sequentially from organic synthetic inks, including the electrodes, charge-collecting layers, the active layers, and the charge-recombination layers connecting the multiple junctions. Additionally, to our knowledge, this is the first reported organic tandem solar cells can simultaneously have the advantages of vacuum-free, metal-free, highly flexible and high output voltage. The realization of the all-plastic multijunction solar cells is based on fine tuning of the conductivity of the charge-recombination layer (CRL) via modifying the PEDOT:PSS formulation and selecting the processing solvent of the polyethylenimine to avoid the patterning and shorts. These cells with high photovoltage have been shown to meet the requirements to power liquid-crystal displays, full-color light-emitting diodes under low-intensity light conditions. They could become very low-cost solutions for powering various portable and wearable electronic devices, including wireless sensors for the internet of things applications.Flexible all-plastic multijunction solar cells with high photovoltage have been demonstrated via optimizing the charge-recombination layer and shown to power portable electronics. AbstractLow-cost, light-weight and flexible power supply is highly desirable for portable electronic devices. All-plastic solar cells in which all layers are fabricated sequentially from organic synthetic inks could meet these requirements. Here, we report that fully solutionprocessed all-plastic multijunction solar cells can be easily fabricated layer by layer without the need of sophisticated patterning. The key for the high-yield fully solution-processed multijunction cells is the control and tuning of the conductivity of the charge-recombination layer of PEDOT:PSS/PEI. The all-plastic multijunction solar cells achieve PCE of 6.1±0.4%and a high open-circuit voltage of 5.37 V. These all-plastic multijunction solar cells are successfully used to drive liquid-crystal displays, full-color light-emitting diodes and for water splitting under different light illumination conditions.

n‐Type Doping Induced by Electron Transport Layer in Organic Photovoltaic Devices

“…[12,32] Figure S5b,d (Supporting Information) shows that PEI ETL performs slightly worse than the PEIE ETL for both ≈100 to ≈210 nm P3HT:ICBA active layers, yet still with decent performance and consistent with a previous report. While there are no reports of good ≈210 nm P3HT:PCBM devices with PEI ETL in literature, there are good ≈200 nm P3HT: C 60 bis-adduct (ICBA) devices reported in the literature.…”

Incorporation of Hydrogen Molybdenum Bronze in Solution‐Processed Interconnecting Layer for Efficient Nonfullerene Tandem Organic Solar Cells

“…EQE of subcells of the tandem solar cell was tested on a system using a 150 W xenon lamp fitted with a monochromator (Cornerstone 74004) as a monochromatic light source. The method used to measure the EQE by introducing a conductive intermediate polymer as the third electrode to access the EQE of subcells independently as reported by Tong et al and Bahro et al…”

“…First, we tested bottom subcell with PEDOT:PSS as the hole transporting layer (HTL). About 0.3 wt% nonionic surfactant (Figure S1c, Supporting Information) was added into the PEDOT:PSS to improve its wettability on the bottom active layer (PM6:IT‐4F). Figure a shows current density–voltage ( J–V ) characteristics, with V OC = 0.64 V, J SC = 18.20 mA cm −2 , FF = 47.4%, and PCE = 5.49%.…”

Accurate Characterization of Triple‐Junction Polymer Solar Cells

“…There are few examples of triple-junction organic solar cells. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] The gain in efficiency achieved by these triple-junction devices was not always accompanied by a critical analysis of the measured performance. In a recent publication, Timmreck et al methodically analyzed the literature on tandem organic solar cells, shedding light on the fact that the vast majority of the publications on organic tandem cells lacked a proper characterization.…”

“…At present, the characterization of organic triple-junctions is often limited to measuring the J−V characteristics under simulated solar radiation and determining the external quantum efficiency (EQE) using different light sources to optically bias the subcells. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] Nevertheless, organic materials commonly employed for solar cells feature peculiar characteristics that necessitate special attention for their EQE measurement. [42][43][44] An accurate analysis of the effect of bias light and bias voltage on the EQE of triple-junction organic solar cells is necessary.…”