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Double Heterojunction Organic Hybrid Electrodes and Interfacial Charge Transfer Characterizations Using Novel Optical Spectroscopy Techniques


EMSL Project ID
44613

Abstract

Hybrid OPVs promise to be efficient and cheap devices to convert solar energy to electricity in comparison with their inorganic and organic counterparts. A hybrid OPV, however, has limited efficiency because of the conflict between the need for a thick donor layer for maximum light absorption and the bottleneck of a short exciton diffusion distance. In addition, poor charge-transport mobility and the stability of organic semiconductors are other two factors limiting the devices' overall performance. The goals of this proposal are to 1) design a new double heterojunction organic hybrid electrode that combines the features of ordered heterojunction architectures and bulk heterojunctions, and 2) to understand the interfacial charge transfer dynamics of conjugated polymer molecules or nanoparticles in a double heterojunction OPV device using the EMSL's capability of spectroscopic and ultrafast dynamics systems. Complementary photoluminescence/electrochemical techniques will be used to study the interfaces of the new type of electrode to unravel the complex spectra and dynamics of the conjugate polymer in the real device environment. This project would ultimately empower us to confront challenges for an efficient hybrid organic photovoltaic device, which has well-defined nanostructure for efficient light absorption, exciton dissociation, and charge-collection efficiency. The proposed research program also provides an excellent vehicle for promoting teaching, training and learning.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2011-10-01
End Date
2012-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Shanlin Pan
Institution
University of Alabama

Team Members

Hongwei Geng
Institution
University of Alabama

Daniel Clayton
Institution
University of Alabama

Caleb Hill
Institution
University of Alabama

Related Publications

Geng H, S Pan, and D Hu. 2013. "Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence and Fluorescence Lifetime Spatial Heterogeneity of Poly (2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene) in Presence of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric Acid Methyl Ester." In MRS Online Proceedings Library, vol. 1493, Materials Research Society, Warrendale, PA. doi:10.1557/opl.2013.19