Hole-selective-molecule doping improves the layer thickness tolerance of PEDOT:PSS for efficient organic solar cells

When used in organic solar cells, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) aligns interfacial energy levels, promotes hole extraction, blocks electrons, and optimizes the active layer’s morphology. However, with an optimal thickness of approximately 30–40 ​nm, PEDOT:PSS...

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Main Authors: Bin Zhao, Xiaozhen Huang, Sein Chung, Min Zhang, Yufei Zhong, Anhai Liang, Zhenmin Zhao, Chaofeng Zhu, Jingjing Zhao, Seunghyun Kim, Jimin Kim, Ming Wang, Shilin Chen, Kilwon Cho, Yang Wang, Zhipeng Kan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:eScience
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667141724000983
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Summary:When used in organic solar cells, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) aligns interfacial energy levels, promotes hole extraction, blocks electrons, and optimizes the active layer’s morphology. However, with an optimal thickness of approximately 30–40 ​nm, PEDOT:PSS has insufficient layer thickness tolerance, owing to its low conductivity and hole extraction property. Herein, a hole-selective-molecule doping strategy is proposed to enhance the properties of PEDOT:PSS by introducing MPA2FPh-BT-BA (abbreviated as 2F) into its layer. 2F assembles at the anode to form interfacial dipoles due to its unique donor–acceptor–anchor molecular configuration, altering the anode work function and hole-selective extraction. Additionally, 2F improves the aggregation properties of PEDOT:PSS by forming hydrogen bonds with the PSS group, enhancing the conductivity characteristics. These changes in the PEDOT:PSS layer further influence the overlaying morphology, leading to increased crystalline features of PM6 and the bulk heterojunction of PM6:Y6. When a 2F-PEDOT:PSS (2FPP) layer is used, power conversion efficiencies of 18.3%, 19.2%, and 19.1% are achieved in PM6:Y6, PM6:BTP-eC9, and PM6:L8-BO devices, respectively, outperforming counterparts with PEDOT:PSS. Specifically, the performance of PM6:Y6 devices with a 2FPP layer of 170 ​nm remains at > 15%, providing valuable guidance for designing a thickness-insensitive hole transport layer for high-efficiency organic solar cells.
ISSN:2667-1417