Issue 24, 2023

Air-stable ternary organic solar cells achieved by using fullerene additives in non-fullerene acceptor-polymer donor blends

Abstract

Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on donor–acceptor blends have shown a rapid improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) now approaching, for small cells, those of the state-of-the art commercial solar modules. However, performance degradation remains one of the most critical impediments for OSC technology commercialization. Ternary solar cells where a third component, for instance an acceptor, is added to a non-fullerene acceptor–polymer donor blend are an effective approach for improving both OSC efficiency and long-term stability. Here, we study the role of two fullerene acceptors, ET18 and PCBM, as the third component in PD:Y6 blends. These fullerene derivatives significantly enhance the cell stability, which retained >90% of their initial PCEs (13–14%) even after storage in air for 6 months, compared to only ∼20% retention for the binary devices. GIWAXS, AFM, in situ impedance spectroscopy and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that the enhanced stability of the ternary devices results from a more robust blend morphology reducing charge recombination in the ternary devices during aging.

Graphical abstract: Air-stable ternary organic solar cells achieved by using fullerene additives in non-fullerene acceptor-polymer donor blends

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 11 2022
Accepted
15 2 2023
First published
15 2 2023

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023,11, 8074-8083

Author version available

Air-stable ternary organic solar cells achieved by using fullerene additives in non-fullerene acceptor-polymer donor blends

E. Trippodo, V. Campisciano, L. Feng, Y. Chen, W. Huang, J. M. Alzola, D. Zheng, V. K. Sangwan, M. C. Hersam, M. R. Wasielewski, B. Pignataro, F. Giacalone, T. J. Marks and A. Facchetti, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023, 11, 8074 DOI: 10.1039/D2TC04971F

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