Optimising polymer photovoltaic devices through control of phase-separation
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
In principle, photovoltaic devices could meet all our energy requirements in a sustainable way, but at the moment the capital expense of conventional photovoltaics is too great to be competitive, and the volume in which they can be produced is much too small to make a serious dent in our electricity generating needs. Their relatively high manufacturing cost and the difficulty of scaling the manufacturing process is an intrinsic feature of their energy-intensive fabrication process. In contrast, non-conventional PVs based on organic semiconductors can be processed from solution using high-volume roll-to-roll printing technologies, offering the possibility of large area devices being fabricated on flexible substrates at very low cost. Unfortunately at present, organic PV devices are characterized by prohibitively low external power efficiencies (< 6%). Closing the gap in efficiency between organic and inorganic PV devices is a significant challenge / one which will require a full microscopic understanding of the processes that currently limit organic PV efficiency. The most promising organic PV devices are currently based on solution-cast blends of conjugated polymers doped with fullerene derivatives. Relatively little is however known regarding the role of the self-assembled nanoscale morphology of such systems on their operational efficiency. In this proposal, we seek to develop a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of the self-assembly processes by which nanoscale structure arises within such PV applicable materials. In particular we propose to study the evolution of nanoscale phase-separation during film casting using X-ray scattering. We will also utilize a range of complementary microscopy techniques ranging from environmental scanning electron microscopy, to time-resolved near field microscopy. The combination of such techniques will permit us to develop a complete picture of film structure from molecular to microscopic length-scales. Our proposed project draws together some of the UK's leading polymer scientists and technologists, with our goal being to significantly advance the understanding of the processes that limit organic PV device performance.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
John Macdonald (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Agostinelli T
(2011)
Real-Time Investigation of Crystallization and Phase-Segregation Dynamics in P3HT:PCBM Solar Cells During Thermal Annealing
in Advanced Functional Materials
Lilliu S
(2012)
The Influence of Substrate and Top Electrode on the Crystallization Dynamics of P3HT: PCBM Blends
in Energy Procedia
Agostinelli T
(2011)
The role of alkane dithiols in controlling polymer crystallization in small band gap polymer:Fullerene solar cells
in Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics
Lilliu S
(2011)
Effects of thermal annealing upon the nanomorphology of poly(3-hexylselenophene)-PCBM blends.
in Macromolecular rapid communications
Hopkinson P
(2011)
A Phase Diagram of the P3HT:PCBM Organic Photovoltaic System: Implications for Device Processing and Performance
in Macromolecules
Lilliu S
(2011)
Dynamics of Crystallization and Disorder during Annealing of P3HT/PCBM Bulk Heterojunctions
in Macromolecules
Wang T
(2010)
The development of nanoscale morphology in polymer:fullerene photovoltaic blends during solvent casting
in Soft Matter
Keivanidis P
(2010)
Dependence of Charge Separation Efficiency on Film Microstructure in Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl):[6,6]-Phenyl-C 61 Butyric Acid Methyl Ester Blend Films
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Lilliu S
(2011)
Inkjet-printed organic photodiodes
in Thin Solid Films
Description | Organic photovoltaic films offer cheap, large area solar cells which can be deposited with simple solution-based technology such as inkjet-printing. It is generally accepted that power conversion efficiencies of greater than 10% in a commercial, mass-produced cell would represent a technological and industrial breakthrough. This has been achieved in laboratories and huge global effort is directed towards making this a commercial reality. We have contributed significantly to the global field as recognised by the 480 citations to date from the publications arising from this grant, which funded one PhD student. We have probed detailed structural changes using synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction during in-situ processing. It revealed the rapid changes that occur during annealing and we were able to quantify these in real time. We were also able to demonstrate the role of additives such as alkanedithiols in improving the ordering in organic photovoltaic polymers. We developed a new quantitative approach to characterising the nanoscale electrical properties of organic thin films using scanning probe microscopy. This enables the simultaneous measurement of local variations in surface potential and capacitance. |
Exploitation Route | In understanding structural changes during processing, including thermal treatment and the use of additives. |
Sectors | Electronics Energy |
Description | In understanding structural changes during processing, including thermal treatment and the use of additives. The publications arising from this grant have been cited 480 times since the first publication appeared in 2010. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Lecture on Nanoscience (University of Sarajevo) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | On 16th April 2015, 120 undergraduates, postgraduates and general public attended a lecture on Nanotechnology at the University of Sarajevo. Local TV journalists attended and it led to an interview broadcast on Bosnian State Television. It also led to discussion of possible research involvement in nanoscience in a university setting where little dedicated equipment exists. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |