In situ formation of thermoset matrices for improved stability in organic photovoltaics
Journal article, 2024
The performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has rapidly increased. Yet, achieving long-term stability in the nano-morphology and thereby sustaining device performance remains challenging. Herein, we show that incorporating in-situ-forming cross-linked thermoset (CLT) matrices into the bulk heterojunction blends is a simple, general, and efficient strategy for high-performing and resilient OPVs. Our simulations and experimental data prove that these high-modulus CLT matrices featuring hydrogen-bonding interactions can freeze the nano-morphology, resulting in long-term thermal and photostable OPV devices. We demonstrate that this approach works efficiently with eight different blends and show that OPV devices can withstand 85°C for 1,000 h without losing performance. Blends with CLT matrices double the energy generated from OPV devices, showing an energy density output of 4,054 mW⋅h cm−2 over an 11-week operating period under outdoor conditions. This methodology opens avenues for both developing new thermoset networks for OPV and their use in other optoelectronic applications.
glass transition temperature
outdoor stability
thermal mechanical behavior
thermal stability
organic solar cells
dynamic mechanical analysis
hydrogen-bonding interactions
morphological stability
Author
Jianhua Han
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
University of Würzburg
Han Xu
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
A. Sharma
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Maxime Babics
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Jules Bertrandie
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Xunchang Wang
Jianghan University
Luis Huerta Hernandez
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Yongcao Zhang
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Yuanfan Wen
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Diego Rosas Villalva
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Nicolas Ramos
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Sri Harish Kumar Paleti
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Jaime Martín
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Fuzong Xu
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Joel Troughton
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Renqiang Yang
Jianghan University
Julien Gorenflot
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Frédéric Laquai
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Stefaan De Wolf
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Derya Baran
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Lead contact
Published in
Joule
25424351 (eISSN)
Vol. 8 Issue 10 p. 2883-2902Categorizing
Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)
Polymer Chemistry
Other Physics Topics
Identifiers
DOI
10.1016/j.joule.2024.07.008