Non-Fullerene Organic Photovoltaics: Toward Theoretical Device Efficiencies.
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices represent a promising approach to low cost and scalable solar energy conversion technologies. However, the state-of-the-art power conversion efficiencies of these polymer solar cells are still over a factor of 2 below the theoreticalthermodynamic limits. Recent advances in the design and synthesis of non-fullerene acceptor materials suggest that they offer many unexplored opportunities toward closing the gap between current OPV device performance and the predicted theoretical maximum efficiencies. The overall goal of the proposed project is to combine new molecular, morphology and interfaceengineering strategies to develop non-fullerene polymer solar cells toward the realization of their theoretical efficiencies. Specifically, the planned three-year project aims to accomplish the following objectives: (1) Design and synthesize new small-molecule non-fullerene acceptor materials, capable of achieving the theoretical OPV efficiency when blended with suitable highperformance small band gap donor polymers, and investigate their photovoltaic and charge transport properties, nanoscale blend morphology, and underlying structure-property-device performance relationships; (2) Design and synthesize new n-type (electron-accepting)semiconducting polymers and use them to create highly efficient all-polymer solar cells; (3) Develop interface engineering approaches to tune the characteristics of the active layer/electrode interfaces to maximize charge extraction efficiencies in non-fullerene polymer solar cells; and (4) Develop a fundamental understanding of the photoconversion processes and underlyingstructure-property-morphology-device performance relationships in non-fullerene OPVs and allpolymersolar cells and thereby identify barriers to OPV theoretical device efficiencies by integration of the results of advanced spectroscopic studies, photovoltaic properties, charge photogeneration, transport, recombination and extraction studies. The results of this project and achievement of these objectives will enable the rational development of polymer solar cells thatcombine high power conversion efficiency with excellent environmental stability and thereby contribute to meeting future Navy, Marine Corps and DoD needs for low-cost portable power sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712203
Entities
People
- Samson A. Jenekhe
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington