Comparing the Device Physics and Morphology of Polymer Solar Cells Employing Fullerenes and Non-Fullerene Acceptors

Jason T. Bloking, Tommaso Giovenzana, Andrew T. Higgs, Andrew J. Ponec, Eric T. Hoke, Koen Vandewal, Sangwon Ko, Zhenan Bao, Alan Sellinger, Michael D. McGehee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

88 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is a need to find electron acceptors for organic photovoltaics that are not based on fullerene derivatives since fullerenes have a small band gap that limits the open-circuit voltage (VOC), do not absorb strongly and are expensive. Here, a phenylimide-based acceptor molecule, 4,7-bis(4-(N-hexyl-phthalimide)vinyl)benzo[c]1,2,5-thiadiazole (HPI-BT), that can be used to make solar cells with VOC values up to 1.11 V and power conversion efficiencies up to 3.7% with two thiophene polymers is demonstrated. An internal quantum efficiency of 56%, compared to 75-90% for polymer-fullerene devices, results from less efficient separation of geminate charge pairs. While favorable energetic offsets in the polymer-fullerene devices due to the formation of a disordered mixed phase are thought to improve charge separation, the low miscibility (
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1301426
JournalAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume4
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 23 2014
Externally publishedYes

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