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Correlating the structures and photovoltaic properties in phase-separated blends of conjugated donor polymers and acceptors

Polymer Journal volume 55, pages 477–487 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

The power conversion efficiency of polymer solar cells strongly depends on the microscale morphology of the interpenetrating network structures between the polymer donor and acceptor materials. Therefore, it is essential to understand the relationship between photovoltaic properties and phase-separated structures in the blend active layer. Here, we discuss the relationship between charge generation and collection and phase-separated structures, which was analyzed by a ternary phase diagram for polymer solar cells based on blends of a thiophene-based conjugated polymer donors and the following different acceptors: a fullerene derivative, a nonfullerene acceptor, and a conjugated polymer acceptor. By considering the ternary phase diagram based on the Flory–Huggins interaction parameters, we discuss the binodal point and acceptor volume fraction in the mixed phase in each material combination. Furthermore, we suggest strategies for improving the efficiency of polymer solar cells according to the molecular weight of acceptor materials. These findings will provide a guideline for developing highly efficient polymer solar cells.

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Funding

This study was partly supported by the JST-MIRAI Program of Japan Science and Technology Agency (Grant No. JPMJMI20E2) and KAKENHI from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (Grant Nos. 21H04692, 22K14726, and 22K19062).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8510, Japan

    Jihun Jeon, Kiyotaka Doi, Hyung Do Kim & Hideo Ohkita

  2. Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 611-0011, Japan

    Hiroki Ogawa & Mikihito Takenaka

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  1. Jihun Jeon
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  2. Kiyotaka Doi
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Correspondence to Hyung Do Kim or Hideo Ohkita.

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Jeon, J., Doi, K., Kim, H.D. et al. Correlating the structures and photovoltaic properties in phase-separated blends of conjugated donor polymers and acceptors. Polym J 55, 477–487 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-022-00718-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-022-00718-9

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