Plasma deposition of organic polymer films for solar cell applications

Wong, Wallace W. H.; Rudd, Sam; Ostrikov, Kola; MacGregor, Melanie; Subbiah, Jegadesan; Vasilev, Krasimir

doi:10.1016/j.orgel.2016.02.023

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Surprisingly, the application of SAM interlayers in OPVs has so far attracted limited attention [28,29] with the majority of studies focusing on the use of molecular monolayers as interfacial modifiers in ETLs. [12,[30][31][32][33][34] To this end, we have recently reported the use of 2PACz ([2-(9H-Carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid)-modified ITO as holeextracting interlayer in highly efficient OPVs and highlighted its advantages over the widely used PEDOT : PSS. [2] Importantly, the work demonstrated the potential of SAMs for tuning the interface energetics with molecular precision using simple and easy-to-implement chemical routes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

18.4 % Organic Solar Cells Using a High Ionization Energy Self‐Assembled Monolayer as Hole‐Extraction Interlayer

et al. 2021

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Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on Br-2PACz ([2-(3,6dibromo-9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]phosphonic acid) 2PACz ethyl]phosphonic acid) and ethyl]phosphonic acid) molecules were investigated as hole-extracting interlayers in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies of these SAMs were measured at À 6.01 and À 5.30 eV for Br-2PACz and MeO-2PACz, respectively, and found to induce significant changes in the work function (WF) of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) electrodes upon chemical functionalization. OPV cells based on PM6 (poly [(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl-3- ([6,6]-phenyl-C71-bu-tyric acid methyl ester) using ITO/Br-2PACz anodes exhibited a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.4 %, outperforming devices with ITO/MeO-2PACz (14.5 %) and ITO/poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PE-DOT : PSS) (17.5 %). The higher PCE was found to originate from the much higher WF of ITO/Br-2PACz (À 5.81 eV) compared to ITO/MeO-2PACz (4.58 eV) and ITO/PEDOT : PSS (4.9 eV), resulting in lower interface resistance, improved hole transport/extraction, lower trap-assisted recombination, and longer carrier lifetimes. Importantly, the ITO/Br-2PACz electrode was chemically stable, and after removal of the SAM it could be recycled and reused to construct fresh OPVs with equally impressive performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

18.4 % Organic Solar Cells Using a High Ionization Energy Self‐Assembled Monolayer as Hole‐Extraction Interlayer

et al. 2021

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“…To date, most studies on the use of SAMs in OPVs rely on their application as interfacial modifiers for electron-collecting cathode electrodes (see the summary of relevant literature in Table S1). − A notable example is the C 60 -SAM-modified ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) interlayer used in nonfullerene OPVs for which simultaneous improvement of the device’s PCE and photostability were achieved; the T 80 lifetime (the time required to reach 80% of initial performance) of optimized devices was estimated to exceed 20 years . In contrast, only a handful of studies have explored SAM modification of anode electrodes as a means to improve the performance of OPVs (Table S1).…”

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confidence: 99%

Self-Assembled Monolayer Enables Hole Transport Layer-Free Organic Solar Cells with 18% Efficiency and Improved Operational Stability

et al. 2020

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We report on bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaics (OPVs) based on the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) 2PACz as a hole-selective interlayer functionalized directly onto the indium tin oxide (ITO) anode. The 2PACz is found to change the work function of ITO while simultaneously affecting the morphology of the BHJ deposited atop. Cells with PM6:N3 BHJ and ITO-2PACz anode exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.6%, which is greater than that measured for bare ITO (6.45%) and ITO/PEDOT:PSS (15.94%) based devices. The enhanced performance is attributed to lower contact-resistance, reduced bimolecular recombination losses, and improved charge transport within the BHJ. Importantly, the ITO-2PACz-based OPVs show dramatically improved operational stability when compared with PEDOT:PSS-based cells. When the ITO-2PACz anode is combined with the ternary PM6:BTP-eC9:PC 71 BM BHJ, the resulting cells exhibit a maximum PCE of 18.03%, highlighting the potential of engineered SAMs for use in hole-selective contacts in high-performance OPVs.

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“…Despite the use of advanced techniques directly in the plasma phase such as Mass Spectroscopy, Langmuir probes and Optical Emission Spectroscopy, the mechanisms of plasma polymerization remain poorly understood [27,28,29,30]. However, advances in surface characterization techniques and the pull for applications have fueled much progress in this area, and it is now possible to control deposition conditions in many ways so that chemistry and functionality of the resulting coating can be finely tailored to suit specific applications ranging from wearable electronics [31] and solar cells [32] all the way to water treatment [33]. It is also possible to deposit plasma polymers onto micro and nanomaterials as well as powders.…”

Section: Plasma Polymersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspective on Plasma Polymers for Applied Biomaterials Nanoengineering and the Recent Rise of Oxazolines

MacGregor

Vasilev

2019

Materials

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Plasma polymers are unconventional organic thin films which only partially share the properties traditionally attributed to polymeric materials. For instance, they do not consist of repeating monomer units but rather present a highly crosslinked structure resembling the chemistry of the precursor used for deposition. Due to the complex nature of the deposition process, plasma polymers have historically been produced with little control over the chemistry of the plasma phase which is still poorly understood. Yet, plasma polymer research is thriving, in par with the commercialisation of innumerable products using this technology, in fields ranging from biomedical to green energy industries. Here, we briefly summarise the principles at the basis of plasma deposition and highlight recent progress made in understanding the unique chemistry and reactivity of these films. We then demonstrate how carefully designed plasma polymer films can serve the purpose of fundamental research and biomedical applications. We finish the review with a focus on a relatively new class of plasma polymers which are derived from oxazoline-based precursors. This type of coating has attracted significant attention recently due to its unique properties.

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Plasma deposition of organic polymer films for solar cell applications

Cited by 15 publications

References 31 publications

18.4 % Organic Solar Cells Using a High Ionization Energy Self‐Assembled Monolayer as Hole‐Extraction Interlayer

18.4 % Organic Solar Cells Using a High Ionization Energy Self‐Assembled Monolayer as Hole‐Extraction Interlayer

Self-Assembled Monolayer Enables Hole Transport Layer-Free Organic Solar Cells with 18% Efficiency and Improved Operational Stability

Perspective on Plasma Polymers for Applied Biomaterials Nanoengineering and the Recent Rise of Oxazolines

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