Insights into the working mechanism of cathode interlayers in polymer solar cells via [(C₈H₁₇)₄N]₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀]

Abstract

A low-cost (<$1 per g), high-yield (>90%), alcohol soluble surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalate complex [(C 8 H 17

[(C8H17)4N]4[SiW12O40] (TASiW‐12)‐Modified SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells

“…N‐type complex TASiW‐12 was synthesized from the commercialized material surfactant tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) and H 4 SiW 12 O 40 by previously reported methods. [ 57 ] The TASiW‐12 structure is shown in Figure a, in which four [(C 8 H 17 ) 4 N] + and one [SiW 12 O 40 ] 4− are bonded through electrostatic complexation. Notably, each [(C 8 H 17 ) 4 N] + group can redistribute on [SiW 12 O 40 ] 4− by altering their electrostatic interaction.…”

Polyoxometalates: Tailoring metal oxides in molecular dimension toward energy applications

“…The PW 9 O 34 lacunary phosphotungstate anion interlayer mediates the ZnO/TiO 2 electrode to improve the optoelectronic performance (6.51%) and stability of a polymer solar cell because the polyoxometalate passivates the electrode surface and repels the ambient species . [(C 8 H 17 ) 4 N] 4 [SiW 12 O 40 ] has been inserted into the cathode in polymer solar cells, suggesting the polyoxotungstate can reduce the work function of the metal contact and n‐dope the material . The alkyl chain length in polyoxometalate is found to be critical for the polymer solar cell performance.…”

“…192 [(C 8 H 17 ) 4 N] 4 [SiW 12 O 40 ] has been inserted into the cathode in polymer solar cells, suggesting the polyoxotungstate can reduce the work function of the metal contact and n-dope the material. 193 The alkyl chain length in polyoxometalate is found to be critical for the polymer solar cell performance. SiW 12 O 40 -based polyoxometalates have been studied with variable chain lengths of the amine-based group in the cathode interlayer, and 9.15% power conversion efficiency has been achieved when the chain length number is 8 due to the formation of high quality film.…”

A silanol-functionalized polyoxometalate with excellent electron transfer mediating behavior to ZnO and TiO2 cathode interlayers for highly efficient and extremely stable polymer solar cells

“…37,38 They were recently used by our group and others as cathode interlayers in PSCs with either the conventional or the inverted architecture due to their unique properties, such as facile processing from water or alcohol solutions, adequate electron mobility, and high transparency in the visible range. [39][40][41][42][43][44] However, their possible aggregation when forming a solid film from aqueous solutions may be extremely harmful to device performance and stability; consequently, it is rather unlikely for pristine POMs to be suitable for large-area production of PSCs. As yet, works to exploit appropriate concepts to simultaneously achieve superior electron transfer properties of POMs while also avoiding aggregation for successful application in PSCs are limited.…”