Issue 38, 2014

Self-assembled buffer layer from conjugated diblock copolymers with ethyleneoxide side chains for high efficiency polymer solar cells

Abstract

In this article, we present a novel and promising approach to enhance the device performance and stability by the simple incorporation of all conjugated polythiophene diblock copolymers, poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(3-triethylene glycol thiophene) (P3HT-b-P3TEGT), into the active layer based on inverted device structures. During the spin-coating process, the triethylene glycol side chains of P3HT-b-P3TEGT would spontaneously migrate vertically towards the active layer surface and form a nanoscale self-assembled anode buffer layer, which simultaneously drives the orderly packing of donor polymer chains and vertical phase separation morphology, allowing electrons and holes to move more efficiently to the respective electrode. Moreover, the nanoscale self-assembled buffer layer can form interfacial modification and ohmic contact between the active layer and Ag (or MoO3/Ag) electrode, reduce the contact resistance of the device, and increase the electrical conduction of the device, especially upon chelating lithium ions (Li+) to the triethylene glycol side chains of P3HT-b-P3TEGT. Combining the above advantages, the efficiency and stability of the polymer solar cells are enhanced. A remarkable improvement in the PCE with 7.3% (measured in air) is obtained for PBDTTT-C-T:PC71BM devices.

Graphical abstract: Self-assembled buffer layer from conjugated diblock copolymers with ethyleneoxide side chains for high efficiency polymer solar cells

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 ጁን 2014
Accepted
01 ኦገስ 2014
First published
04 ኦገስ 2014

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2014,2, 8054-8064

Author version available

Self-assembled buffer layer from conjugated diblock copolymers with ethyleneoxide side chains for high efficiency polymer solar cells

Y. Shi, L. Tan, L. Chen and Y. Chen, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2014, 2, 8054 DOI: 10.1039/C4TC01388C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements