Issue 5, 2013

Donor–acceptor interface modification by zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolytes in polymer photovoltaics

Abstract

We report that we can enhance the performance of polymer photovoltaics by introducing materials with dipoles at the donor–acceptor interface of the polymer solar cells. We use a zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolyte (ZCPE) as an interfacial layer in a model bi-layer system consisting of donor and acceptor polymers. We find an increase in short-circuit current and fill factor when a 2 nm thin layer of ZCPE is introduced between donor and acceptor polymers. Absorption of light in the ZCPE interlayer contributes to the photocurrent, and, as revealed by time-resolved pump–push optical spectroscopy, the interlayer reduces the probability of electron–hole recombination at the donor–acceptor interface.

Graphical abstract: Donor–acceptor interface modification by zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolytes in polymer photovoltaics

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Jan 2013
Accepted
19 Mar 2013
First published
19 Mar 2013

Energy Environ. Sci., 2013,6, 1589-1596

Donor–acceptor interface modification by zwitterionic conjugated polyelectrolytes in polymer photovoltaics

A. Kumar, G. Pace, A. A. Bakulin, J. Fang, P. K. H. Ho, W. T. S. Huck, R. H. Friend and N. C. Greenham, Energy Environ. Sci., 2013, 6, 1589 DOI: 10.1039/C3EE00060E

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