The performance of non-fullerene acceptor (NFA)- based organic solar cells (OSC) has shown continuous increase in recent years, reaching power-conversion efficiencies up to 17% through the design and synthesis of efficient acceptor materials. Recent research is directed towards achieving higher efficiency of OSC, which is limited by the open-circuit voltage (Voc) which is lower than the Voc values achieved in inorganic or perovskites solar cells with comparable bandgaps. In this work, voltage losses in NFA based OSC were calculated by investigating charge-transfer state energy (ECT) using electroluminescence spectroscopy and sensitive external quantum efficiency in three polymer:non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells. PCE10:ITIC device acquired the highest ECT with a Voc of 0.82V, and a a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.91%. While PCE10:O-IDTBR obtained the highest Voc of 1.03V, a PCE of 8.02% compared to PCE10:O-IDTBCN solar cell that has a lower Voc of 0.73V with a PCE of 7.98%. Both radiative and non-radiative voltage losses were calculated. In this thesis, the high open circuit voltage of PCE10:O-IDTBR is explained by the low non-radiative voltage losses compared to PCE10:O-IDTBCN and PCE10:ITIC devices.

In recent years, non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have attracted enormous interest in the field of organic solar cells (OSCs), they improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to the classical fullerene acceptor. In this work, OSCs based on PBDB-T as the donor material and the very well-known NFA ITIC, along with its fluorinated and chlorinated derivatives (IT-2F, IT-4F, IT-2Cl, IT-4Cl) were fabricated to investigate the effect of the halogenation end group on the photovoltaic parameters. Optical characterization reveals that both chlorination and fluorination are effective in downshifting the molecular energy levels and redshifting the absorption spectra, which results in higher Jsc but lower Voc compared to pristine ITIC. In addition, the halogenated ITIC device exhibited enhanced FF and PCE. Various optoelectronic techniques were also used to investigate the charge recombination dynamics and charge extraction process. It has been found that (IT-2F, IT-2Cl) show suppressed monomolecular recombination compared to di-substituted NFA (IT-4F, IT-4Cl). Furthermore, fluorinated ITIC has a longer charge carrier recombination lifetime but a lower carrier extraction rate. Lastly, the best-performing device from the preceding component mixtures PBDB-T:IT-2F was exposed to thermal annealing at different stages of the fabrication process to investigate how annealing affects the photovoltaic parameters. According to our findings, both post and 2-stage annealing improve FF and PCE, but the latter is even more beneficial. In further studies, the annealing effect on the HTL layer (MoOx) has also been investigated. Annealing improved the MoOx’s work function, resulting in higher internal electric field that thereby facilitated hole extraction, as demonstrated by TPC where 2-stage annealed devices exhibited a faster carrier extraction rate.

Non-fullerene Acceptors (NFAs) have gathered a great deal of interest for use inorganic photovoltaics (OPVs) due to recent breakthroughs in their power conversion efficiency and other advantages they offer over their Fullerene-based counterparts. In this work, a new promising non-fullerene polymer acceptor, PF5-Y5, have been studied using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory; and the effects that oligomer length, geometry relaxation and exchange-correlation interaction has on the exciton binding energies (the difference between optical and fundamental energy gaps) have been investigated. Both the fundamental and optical gaps are significantly affected by the choice of functional (i.e., the description of the exchange-correlation interaction). However, it does not appear to significantly impact obtained exciton binding energies as the effects of the fundamental and optical gaps cancel each other out. Both the fundamental and optical energy gap are shown to slightly reduce as a function of the oligomer length (~0.1 - 0.3 𝑒𝑉 reduction for each repeated monomer). As both gaps are reduced by a similar amount per repeated monomer, they counteract each other and the total effect that oligomer length has on the exciton binding energy is very low. Geometry relaxation and thermal effects showed the largest impact on the fundamental gap and exciton binding energy, with their combined effect resulting in a ~0.5 𝑒𝑉 reduction in binding energy. / Non-Fullerene Acceptorer (NFAs) har rönt stort intresse för användning i organiska solceller (OPVs) på grund av genombrott på senare tid gällande deras effektomvandlingsverkningsgrad och en mängd andra fördelar som de erbjuder jämfört med sina fullerene-baserade motsvarigheter. I det här arbetet har en ny lovande polymer-acceptor, PF5-Y5, studerats med hjälp av täthetsfunktionalteori (DFT) och tidsberoende täthetsfunktionsteori (TD-DFT). Effekterna som oligomerlängd, geometri-avslappning och utbytes-korrelations-interaktion har på exciton-bindningsenergin (skillnaden mellan optiska ochfundamentala energigapen) har även undersökts.  Både erhållna värden för det fundamentala och optiska gapet påverkas avsevärt av valet av funktional (dvs. beskrivningen av utbytes-korrelations-interaktionen). Valet av funktional verkar dock inte nämnvärt påverka erhållna värden för excitonbindningsenergin då effekterna från det fundamentala och optiska gapen till stor del tar ut varandra.  Både det fundamentala och optiska energigapet minskar som en funktion av oligomerlängden (~0.1 - 0.3 𝑒𝑉 minskning för varje upprepad monomer). Eftersom båda energigapen minskar ungefär lika mycket för varje upprepad monomer så motverkar de till stor grad varandra; och den totala effekten som oligomerlängd har på exciton-bindningsenergin förblir låg. Strukturell relaxation (eng: geometry relaxation) och termiska effekter visade sig ha störst påverkan på det fundamentala energigapet och exciton-bindningsenergin, och deras sammanlagda effekt ledde till en ~0,5 𝑒𝑉 reduktion i bindningsenergi.

A l’heure où les impacts du changement climatique sont devenus indéniables, le développement des énergies décarbonées s’impose. Potentiellement bas coût comparées aux technologies établies, les technologies organiques émergentes offrent une alternative éco-efficiente pour l’exploitation de l’énergie solaire et de l’énergie thermique (< 473 K). Dans le premier chapitre, les avantages et inconvénients des différentes technologies actuellement développées sont discutés. Les dispositifs photovoltaïques, tout comme thermoélectriques, requièrent deux types de matériaux conduisant respectivement les trous (type p) et les électrons (type n). Malgré des avancées remarquables, le développement de semi-conducteurs de type n constitue un levier d’amélioration majeur pour les technologies organiques. Dans ce contexte, ce travail doctoral présente la conception, la synthèse, la caractérisation et la mise en œuvre au sein de dispositifs, de polymères et petites molécules pi-conjugués de type n.Basées sur trois unités électro acceptrices – l’isoindigo (ISI), le naphtalène diimide (NDI) et le benzodifurandione-oligo(p-phénylènevinylène) fluoré (FBDOPV) – la conception et la synthèse de copolymères alternés sont présentées dans le deuxième chapitre. Ces polymères démontrent de hautes affinités électroniques comprises entre 3,5 eV et 4,1 eV. Les études de modélisations DFT et de diffraction de rayons X en couches minces ont permis d’identifier les principaux facteurs structuraux à l’origine des hautes mobilités en électron obtenues en transistor organique à effet de champ allant jusqu’à 0,26 cm2.V-1.s-1.Pour une application thermoélectrique, le dopage moléculaire de ces semi conducteurs organiques est requis et fait l’objet du troisième chapitre. Les conditions nécessaires à la thermo- et photo activation du dopant N-DMBI ont été identifiées. En particulier, la dégradation du dopant activé en présence d’oxygène a été mise en évidence par diffraction de rayons X sur monocristaux. Les polymères et deux petites molécules à base d’ISI et NDI ont été dopés avec succès. Les mécanismes de dopage et les conductivités obtenues sont discutés au cas par cas à l’aide d’expériences spectroscopiques UV Visible-Proche-Infrarouge et Résonance Paramagnétique Electronique. Des conductivités de l’ordre de 10-4 S.cm-1 sont obtenues sans apport énergétique ni avant ni après dépôt. Des conductivités encourageantes de l’ordre de 10-3 S.cm-1 pour une petit molécule à base de NDI et de 10-2 S.cm-1 pour un polymère à base de FBDOPV ont été atteintes. La stabilité et la réversibilité des conductivités des couches minces exposées à l’air ont été examinées et corrélées au niveau LUMO des matériaux. Le contrôle minutieux des conditions de dépôts et de dopage ont permis l’obtention d’un facteur de puissance de l’ordre de 0,3 µW.m 1.K-2 associé à une conductivité thermique de 0,53 W.m-1.K-1. Des figures de mérite d’environ 2.10-4 à 303 K et 5.10-4 à 388 K ont été mesurées, lesquelles représentent les premières valeurs reportées à ce jour pour un semi-conducteur organique dopé n sur un même dispositif.Ces matériaux permettent également le remplacement des dérivés fullerènes en dispositif photovoltaïque comme présenté dans le dernier chapitre. Ils démontrent notamment de forte propriétés d’absorption, étendue jusqu’au domaine proche infrarouge pour l’un des polymères. Un rendement de conversion de 1,3% a été obtenu en cellule solaire à hétérojonction en volume « tout-polymère » avant optimisation. Suivant une conception moléculaire de type donneur-espaceur-accepteur, deux dérivés d’ITIC ont été conçus et caractérisées. La modification de substituants alkyles sur l’espaceur permet d’obtenir des propriétés d’absorptions et d’organisations améliorées comparé à ITIC. De hautes tensions de circuit-ouvert allant jusqu’à 1,10 V et des rendements de 4,2% ont été obtenus avec ces accepteurs non-fullerènes. / At a time when the impacts of climate change have become undeniable, the development of low-carbon energies is crucial. Potentially low cost compared to established technologies, emerging organic technologies offer an eco-efficient alternative for harvesting solar and thermal (< 473 K) energies. In the first chapter, the advantages and drawbacks of the different technologies currently being developed are discussed. Photovoltaic devices, like thermoelectric devices, require two types of materials conducting holes (p type) and electrons (n-type) respectively. Despite remarkable advances, the development of n-type semiconductors represents a major lever for improving organic technologies. In this context, this doctoral work presents the design, synthesis, characterization and device developments of innovative pi-conjugated n-type polymers and small molecules.Based on three electron-accepting units – isoindigo (ISI), naphthalene diimide (NDI) and fluorinated benzodifurandione-oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (FBDOPV) – the design and synthesis of alternated copolymers are presented in the second chapter. These polymers exhibit high electron affinities ranging from 3.5 eV to 4.1 eV. DFT modelling and thin-film X-ray diffraction studies allowed to identify the main structural aspects leading to electron mobility as high as 0.26 cm2.V 1.s 1 achieved in organic field effect transistors.For thermoelectricity, molecular doping of these organic semiconductors is required. It is the subject of the third chapter. The necessary conditions for thermo- and photo-activation of N DMBI dopant have been identified. In particular, the degradation of the activated dopant in the presence of oxygen has been demonstrated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Each polymer and two small molecules based on ISI and NDI cores have successfully being doped. The doping mechanisms and conductivities obtained are discussed on a case by case basis using UV-Visible-Near-Infrared and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopies. In particular, conductivities in the range of 10-4 S.cm-1 were obtained without external energy supply neither before nor after deposition. Encouraging conductivities in the range of 10-3 S.cm 1 for a small molecule based on NDI and 10-2 S.cm 1 for a polymer based on FBDOPV have been achieved. The stability and reversibility of thin film conductivities when exposed to air were investigated and correlated to the LUMO level of the materials. The thorough control of deposition and doping conditions have afforded to achieve a power factor of about 0.3 µW.m-1.K-2 associated to a thermal conductivity of 0.53 W.m 1.K 1. Figure of merits of approximately 2.10-4 at 303 K and 5.10-4 at 388 K have been obtained, which represent the first values reported to date for an n-doped organic semiconductor measured on a single device.These materials also allow the replacement of fullerene derivatives in photovoltaic devices as presented in the last chapter. In particular, they demonstrate strong absorption properties, extended to the near infrared domain for one of the polymers. A conversion efficiency of 1.3% was obtained in all polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cell before optimization. Following the donor-spacer-acceptor approach, two ITIC derivatives have been designed and characterized. The modification of alkyl substituents on the spacer provides improved absorption and molecular packing properties compared to ITIC. High open-circuit voltages up to 1.10 V and conversion efficiencies of 4.2% have been achieved with these non-fullerene acceptors.

Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to their rapidly increasing efficiency and enormous potential. In this work, the optical and electronic properties of systems containing the very promising non-fullerene acceptor PYT have been thoroughly studied with the use of the density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). By changing the electron linker from thiophene to furan and selenophene, respectively, the PYT was divided into three variants, each of which was studied independently. In addition, these three systems were combined with the donor PBDB-T to generate two distinct interface conformations. The properties studied in this work include the optimized geometries, HOMO-LUMO levels, UV-Vis spectra, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), natural transition orbitals (NTOs), density of states (DOS), dipole moments, open-circuit voltages, exciton binding energies, and local exciton (LE) and charge transfer (CT) energies. The calculations were performed in chlorobenzene solution utilizing the polarizable continuum model (PCM). It was discovered that PBDB-T/PY-Se exhibited remarkable flatness employing the π-π stacking conformation which corresponds well with the excellent D/A compatibility observed experimentally. All interfaces displayed appropriate positioning of the HOMO-LUMO levels, with the acceptor dominating the LUMO and the donor dominating the HOMO, with HOMO-LUMO gaps ranging between 1.34 and 1.38 eV. The differences in the interchanging of the electron linker were not that significant, and neither was the change in interface conformation in terms of the HOMO-LUMO levels. This may indicate that the system can be effective even without the presence of a π-π stacking conformation. The first excited states for all interface systems were shown to be pure CT transitions, and on average, 80% of the states exhibit CT character. The remaining contributions consisted of transitions within the pure materials, with a larger contribution within the acceptor. The theoretical results of this study indicate that systems containing the novel polymer acceptor PYT and its variants PY-O and PY-Se exhibit very intriguing properties, and further development of OSCs containing these polymers might further aid in the development of high-performance OSCs. / Organiska solceller (OSC) baserade på icke-fullerenacceptorer (NFA) har väckt stor uppmärksamhet de senaste åren på grund av dess snabbt ökande effektivitet och enorma potential. I detta arbete har de optiska och elektroniska egenskaperna hos system innehållande den mycket lovande icke-fullerenacceptorn PYT studerats grundligt med användning av täthetsfunktionalteorin (DFT) och den tidsberoende täthetsfunktionalteorin (TDDFT). Genom att ändra elektronförbindelsen från tiofen till furan respektive selenofen så delades PYT upp i tre varianter som var och en studerades oberoende av varandra. Dessutom kombinerades dessa tre system med donatorn PBDB-T för att generera två distinkta gränssnittskonformationer. Egenskaperna som studeras i detta arbete inkluderar optimerade geometrier, HOMO-LUMO-nivåer, UV-vis spektra, gränsmolekylära orbitaler (FMO), naturliga övergångsorbitaler (NTO), tillståndstäthet (DOS), dipolmoment, tomgångsspänning, excitonbindningsenergi samt lokal exciton (LE) och laddningsöverförings (CT) energier. Beräkningarna utfördes i klorbensenlösning med användning av den polariserbara kontinuummodellen (PCM). I resultatet uppvisade PBDB-T/PY-Se en anmärkningsvärd planhet med användning av π-π staplingskonformationen som överensstämmer väl med den utmärkta D/A-kompatibiliteten som observerats experimentellt. Alla gränssnitt visade lämplig positionering av HOMO-LUMO-nivåerna, med acceptorn som dominerade LUMO och donatorn som dominerade HOMO, med HOMO-LUMO-gap mellan 1.34 och 1.38 eV. Skillnaderna i utbytet av elektronförbindelsen visade sig inte vara signifikanta och inte heller skillnaden i gränssnittskonformation när det gäller HOMO-LUMO-nivåerna. Detta kan indikera att systemet kan vara effektivt även utan förekomst av π-π staplingskonformation. De första exciterade tillstånden för alla gränssnittssystem visade sig vara rena CT-övergångar och i genomsnitt uppvisade 80% av tillstånden CT-karaktär. Resterande andel bestod av övergångar inom de rena materialen med en större andel inom acceptorn. De teoretiska resultaten av denna studie indikerar att system innehållande den nya polymeracceptorn PYT och dess varianter PY-O och PY-Se uppvisar mycket spännande egenskaper samt att vidareutveckling av OSC:er som innehåller dessa polymerer ytterligare kan hjälpa till i utvecklingen av högpresterande OSC:er.