In this study, two kinds of homopolymers (PPDOT, and P3HT), and three different proportions of copolymers (PPDOT-co-P3HT=1:1, PPDOT-co-P3HT=3:1, and PPDOT-co-P3HT=1:3) have been synthesized successfully by Grignard metathesis. PDOT and 3HT, which are both of monomers, are electron-donating. Due to the fact that PDOT was caused larger than 3HT by pushing effect, it can change the conjugation length to be much longer, resulting in lower energy level of HOMO, and thus reduce energy gap of high molecular. These polymers possess optical bandgaps in the range of 1.908 to 1.922 eV. The desirable absorption attributes of these materials make them to be the excellent candidates for use in organic solar cells. In this study, the analysis and discussion of these polymers were measured by TGA, DSC, XRD, GPC, NMR, UV, PL, and AC-2 for thermal stability, crystallinity, structure and optical properties. From the XRD, materials of main chain ordered are well crystalline, which can increase the absorption of thiophene ring. By UV, we could find absorption region of infrared light increase that is beneficial to enhance ISC, but led to lower HOMO, and thus reduced VOC. However, the overall device power conversion efficiencies indicate that increasing ISC is much greater than decreasing VOC. Hence, power conversion efficiency increased. However, in PL, intensity of the emission is large, and it will cause components to quenching that lead to reduce its efficiency. We knew HOMO-LUMO energy level matching relations of polymer materials which were mixed with PCBM as the active layer of organic solar cells by UV-VIS and AC-2. From the instructions of device power conversion efficiency, because efficiency is not high, it causes the short circuit. The reason is (1) energy level can not match (2) the solubility of PPDOT is not very good, hence the film is not easy even. The way to improve is to identify a better solvent to increase its solubility.

No description available.

Les semiconducteurs organiques (SO) ont attiré une grande attention ces dernières années en raison de leur facilité de fabrication, de leurs modifications des propriétés optiques et électriques et de leur rentabilité. Ils forment la classe de matériaux les plus adaptés à l'électronique flexible et à la bioélectronique, en particulier en association avec des matériaux inorganiques / hybrides solubles en solution. Cependant, la mobilité des charges dans ces matériaux est fortement affectés par leur désordre structurel et énergétique introduit par les défauts qui "piègent" les transporteurs de charge. Selon l'emplacement physique des pièges et leur distribution en énergie, ils pourraient affecter de manière significative le transport de charge dans un dispositif. Le présent travail s'efforce de sonder l'interface et les états défectueux en masse dans des diodes à base de polymère. Au lieu de cela, une partie de l'étude implique de caractériser le système avec et sans encapsulation, en utilisant des techniques pour enregistrer le comportement de courant-tension à l'état stationnaire (IV), les transitoires d'extraction de charge par la tension augmentant linéairement (CELIV) et les courants transitoires d'injection en obscurité (DiTC), ainsi que la photoluminescence (PL) et l'électroluminescence (EL) des systèmes. Les mêmes caractéristiques ont été effectuées pour observer l'effet de pénétration de la lumière ultraviolet (UV) sur les systèmes. Tous les tests ont été effectués sur trois polymères différents, à savoir P3HT, MDMO:PPV et PCDTBT. La comparaison des dispositifs encapsulés et non encapsulés donne un aperçu des différences caractéristiques des mesurables lors de l'exposition à l'air et humidité. Les tests de pénétration lumineuse indiquent la modification de la fonction de travail de la cathode après une désorption d'oxygène assistée par UV sur l'interface polymère/cathode. Un effort simultané s'est traduit par une étude in situ de la dynamique de transport des charges dans les semi-conducteurs organiques sur une large gamme de temps à une échelle microscopique. / Organic semiconductors (OSs) have garnered a great attention in the recent years due to their ease of processibility, optical and electrical property-tunability, and to their cost-effectiveness. They form the class of materials most suitable for flexible electronics and bioelectronics, especially in association with solutionprocessable inorganic/hybrid materials. However, the charge mobility in these materials is strongly affected by their structural and energetic disorder introduced by the defects that ‘trap’ the charge carriers. Depending upon the physical location of the traps and their distribution in energy, they could significantly affect the charge transport in a device. The present work strives to probe the interface and bulk defect states in polymer-based diodes. In lieu of that, a part of the study involved characterizing the device with and without encapsulation, using techniques to record steady-state current-voltage (IV)behaviour, transients of charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage (CELIV) and dark-injection transient currents (DiTC), as well as photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) off the devices. The same characteristics have been carried out to observe the effect of ultra-violet (UV) lightsoak on the devices. All the tests were performed on three different polymers, namely P3HT, MDMO:PPV and PCDTBT. The comparison of the encapsulated versus unencapsulated devices gives an insight into characteristic differences in the measurables upon exposure to air and moisture. The light-soak tests indicate the modification of the cathode work function after a UV-assisted oxygen desorption off the polymer/cathode interface. A simultaneous effort went into an in-situ investigation of charge transport dynamics in organic semiconductors over wide time range at a microscopic scale.

In organic solar cell, the surface characteristic plays an important role in the power conversion efficiency of solar cell device. According to the literatures, the increased roughness can increase the contact area at the interface between PEDOT:PSS and active layer, improving hole extraction to the anode. Furthermore, a rough interface may cause a scattering effect on the incident light, which can reflect the out-lost-light back into the active layer and leads an efficient light absorbed. There are many ways to change the morphology of hole transporting layer, such as solvent-treated, or additives adding. However, the above process methods are easily affected by the external environmental conditions. It¡¦s difficult to get the surface morphology been well controlled, resulting in a process instability and low reproducibility. In this research, we will create regular grooves on hole transporting layer by rubbing method. By changing baking temperature and rubbing pressure adjustment of PEDOT:PSS layer; we can precisely control the groove depth and surface morphology. This method makes the process simple and high stability. We found that the PEDOT:PSS hole transporting layer with a suitable depth grooves can enhance the power conversion efficiency. The power conversion efficiency of samples were measured under AM 1.5G 100mW/cm2 illumination. In our results, we found that the device possess about 14.52nm-depth of groove structure, the power conversion efficiency of devices can be increased from 2.03% to 2.36% (which is 17.6% improved). This consequence can be attributed to a short current density increasing from 5.67mA/cm2 to 6.67mA/cm2 based on the device structure is ITO(1500Å)/Rubbing-PEDOT:PSS(500Å)/P3HT:PCBM(800Å)/Al(2000Å).

For organic solar cells: exciton generation, exciton diffusion, charge transfer, and charge transport of a photoactive layer are the important factors in photocurrent generation. In this thesis, we blend small molecular material tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3) into poly [ 2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene ]:short-length carbon nanotubes (MEH-PPV:SLCNTs) films to increase the light absorption, in the range of 300 to 450 nm, and hence increase the exciton generation. The comparison of the photoluminescence (PL) of a donor with that of the Donor-Acceptor composite provides an important and simple method to detect the charge transfer phenomenon. Furthermore, the degree of photoluminescence quenching may be representative of the efficiency of charge transfer. [1-6] Using this concept and method, we obtain that at the mix ratio of 1:0.5 (MEH-PPV:SLCNTs) by weight, 33 wt.% SLCNTs, probably have the maximum of charge transfer efficiency. To further check that at this concentration might have the maximum efficiency of the charge transfer, we also used time-resolved fluorescence spectrometer to measure the fluorescence lifetime of MEH-PPV. The shortest MEH-PPV fluorescence lifetime of 0.15 ns at 33 wt.% SLCNTs corresponds with our conjecture. For simplicity to discuss next experiment results, we make two assumptions at this mix ratio: (1) The efficiency of the charge transfer process is very high, so the competing processes can be neglected. Because of the forward electron transfer process occurs in the sub-picosecond time domain; (2) The exciton diffusion efficiency is approximately unity in the bulk heterojunction photoactive layer. Based on this assumption, the higher degree of photoluminescence quenching of MEH-PPV:Alq3 and MEH-PPV:Alq3:SLCNTs system demonstrates blending alq3 into MEH-PPV:SLCNTs films maybe can increase the charge photogeneration. The PL and UV/VIS absorption spectra are employed to examine the energy transfer process between Alq3 and MEH-PPV. When MEH-PPV:Alq3 films are excited at the wavelength of 380 nm which is in the main absorption region of Alq3, the increase in PL intensity of MEH-PPV at 577nm and the absent emission spectra of Alq3 illustrates Alq3 transfer its energy to MEH-PPV. By scanning electron microscopy, we observed that the surface pinholes became less than that of MEH-PPV films. This result suggests the devices utilizing the MEH-PPV:Alq3 composites as electron donor materials may have smaller electrode contact resistance. From all above the experiment data, we believe using MEH-PPV:Alq3:SLCNT as a photoactive layer perhaps can enhance the device performance.

Polymers are with low carrier mobility. If polymer solar cells are to exhibit high power conversion efficiencies, their carrier mobilities must be improved. Metallic NPs are promising materials for use in polymer solar cells because of their high conductivities. In this work, we studied the carrier transport characteristic of metallic nanoparticle blending into polymers. We blended Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) and Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs) into polymers to improve carrier mobility, and enhance the power conversion efficiency of the polymer solar cell. P3HT was used as a donor material because of its high stability and with high absorption in visible light. PCBM was used as a acceptor material because of its high stability and with high electron transportation. We blended modified Pt NPs and Pd NPs into the P3HT:PCBM active layer, with the device configurations of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM: Pt NPs/Al and ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM:Pd NPs/Al, respectively polymer solar cells measured was under AM 1.5G 100mW/cm2 illumination. When we blended Pt NPs into the active layer, the open-circuit remained 0.64V, the short-circuit current increased from 6.67mA/cm2 to 9mA/cm2, the power conversion efficiency increased from 1.96% to 3.08%. When we blended Pd NPs into the active layer, the open-circuit remained 0.62V, the short-circuit current increased from 6.33mA/cm2 to 7.33mA/cm2, the power conversion efficiency increased from 1.7% to 2.48%. The enhanced efficiency originated from the increased carrier mobility of the active layer when the Pt NPs or Pd NPs were present.

Transferring organic photovoltaics (OPV) from the laboratory into economically feasible products, requires the fabrication of modules, a series of connected single cells. During this transition, there is typically a drastic decrease in power conversion efficiency (PCE). This thesis reports on the design, fabrication, and characterization of state-of-the-art, high-performance organic photovoltaic modules with a novel geometry that composed of unit cells with alternating electrical polarities. Such configuration is realized by exclusive patterning of the interlayers and electrodes and avoids patterning of the photoactive layer. With this novel architecture, area losses of photovoltaic module can be significantly reduced compared with the conventional configurations. The processing of this new solar cell module is also compatible with large area processing techniques such as slot-die coating. This thesis reports on 4-cell and 8-cell modules, wherein the measured fill-factors (FF) and PCE of the constituent sub-cells and of the modules are almost identical. The 4-cell module, with a total area of 0.8 cm2, exhibits an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 3.15 V, a short circuit-current density (JSC) of 2.3 mA/cm2 and a FF of 0.69, yielding a PCE of 5.01%. The 8-cell module, with a total area of 1.6 cm2, exhibits a VOC of 6.39 V, a JSC of 1.2 mA/cm2 and a FF of 0.63, yielding a PCE of 5.06%. Similar PCE values between 4-cell and 8-cell module is a demonstration of scalability of this novel geometry without compromising the efficiency.

Surface plasmon is a collective oscillation behavior of electrons in metal nanoparticle induced by the excitation of incident light, which can create an enhanced localized electric field near the surface of metal nanoparticle. To date, metal nanoparticle surface plasmon resonances have been extensively studied in the photoluminescence domain; little work however was devoted to electroluminescent and photovoltaic research. In this thesis, as a fundamental study we firstly investigated surface plasmon enhanced europium complex luminescence and obtained an improved understanding of the importance of optical spacer in metal enhanced fluorescence phenomenon. Under this guideline, we incorporated metal NPs into organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and organic solar cells, by means of thermal evaporation and wet chemistry. Metal nanoparticles are demonstrated to enhance the efficiency of both OLEDs and solar cells only under tailored device architecture. The surface plasmon enhanced local electric field plays an important and comprehensive role in enhancing device performance. In Alq3 based OLED we observed increased charge carrier injection by depositing Ag nanoparticles underneath the Al cathode; in Ir(ppy)3 based OLED we gained enhanced luminous efficiency via doping silica functionalized Ag nanoparticles into emitting layer; in P3HT based organic polymer solar cell we noticed an increased polymer absorption by incorporating Ag nanoparticles over the active layer. On the other hand, adverse effects such as metal nanoparticle induced charge carrier recombination and light extinction are also observed. The study of surface plasmon effects in organic optoelectronic devices reveals interesting surface plasmon features and permits to optimize optoelectronic devices from a novel point of view. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2012-01-05 17:22:40.074

No description available.

Excitonic photovoltaic devices, including organic, hybrid organic/inorganic, and dye-sensitized solar cells, are attractive alternatives to conventional inorganic solar cells due to their potential for low cost and low temperature solution-based processing on flexible substrates in large scale. Though encouraging, they are currently limited by the efficiency from not yet optimized structural and material parameters and poor overall knowledge regarding the fundamental details. This dissertation aims to achieve improved performance of hybrid solar cells by enhancing material property and designing new device architecture. The study begins with the addition of XD-grade single-walled carbon nanotube (XDSWNT) into poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to improve the current density. By having a weight ratio of XDSWNT and P3HT equaled to 0.1:1, short-circuit current was quadrupled from 0.12 mA cm-2 to 0.48 mA cm-2 and solar cell efficiency was tripled from 0.023% to 0.07%, compared to devices with pure P3HT as a hole transport material. Secondly, a significant improvement in device efficiency with 250 nm long ZnO nanorod arrays as photoanodes has been achieved by filling the interstitial voids of the nanorod arrays with ZnO nanoparticles. The overall power conversion efficiency increased from 0.13% for a nanorod-only device to 0.34% for a device with combined nanoparticles and nanorod arrays. The higher device efficiency in solid-state DSSCs with hybrid nanorod/nanoparticle photoanodes is originated from both large surface area provided by nanoparticles for dye adsorption and efficient charge transport provided by the nanorod arrays to reduce the recombinations of photogenerated carriers. Followed by the novel layer-by-layer self-assembly deposition process, the hybrid photoanode study was extended to the longer ZnO nanorod arrays. The best performance, 0.64%, was achieved when the thickness of the photoanodes equaled to 1.2 ?m. Finally, the photovoltaic devices were modified by adding ZnO nanoarpticles into P3HT to increase interfacial area between ZnO and P3HT. The efficiency was enhanced from 0.18% to 0.45% when the ZnO nanorod arrays were 625 nm in length. Our successful design of the device morphology significantly contributes to the performance of solid-state hybrid solar cells.