Characterization of Solar-Cell Material Stability - Compact Mass Spectrometer, Thermogravimetric Ana
Abstract
ABSTRACT (publicly releasable)-Organic and hybrid electronic devices such as organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and perovskite solar cell,s (PSCs) are fabricated from one or more layers of planar thin films. Analysis of the dynamics of these thin films is key to underst,anding processes such as curing, doping, and decomposition that are critical for performance and long-term lifetime. Although techni,ques such as variable wavelength optical spectroscopy (UV/Vis-NIR) or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) can be used to detect s,ome level of physical and chemical change, more detailed information on the changes in chemical structures in thin films would enabl,e researchers more efficiently to determine modes of failure and to direct organic synthesis to address the discovered issues. Compa,ct mass spectrometers and associated techniques that allow sampling of solid thin film surfaces on planar substrates, bulk solids, a,nd direct liquid injection are a cost- and space-effective means for providing chemical structural information on the small quantiti,es of organic and metal-organic materials inherently present in device-quality thin films (50 - 200 nm). At the same time, probes of, which components of these films are thermally unstable are also invaluable in identifying the ?weak? links for device failure; diff,erential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis are complementary in this regard, with the former detecting heat flow a,ssociated with all processes, both those associated with decomposition and those that are not, and the latter detecting mass loss at, particular temperatures, which can also reflect decomposition. Furthermore, synthesis and device-relevant fabrication of these orga,nic and hybrid materials and films often require use of an inert atmosphere. We propose the acquisition of a compact mass spectromet,er system, a thermogravimetric analysis system, and an inert-atmosphere glove-box to be used both to help determine chemical structu,ral changes from processes such as decomposition in thin films and to accelerate the synthesis of organic materials designed to addr,ess those structural deficiencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 06, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142312058
Entities
People
- Seth Marder
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Navy