Effect of the incorporation of an Ag nanoparticle interlayer on the photovoltaic performance of green bulk heterojunction water-soluble polythiophene solar cells. (1st August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lanzi, Massimiliano; Salatelli, Elisabetta; Giorgini, Loris; Marinelli, Martina; Pierini, Filippo
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 149(2018)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2018-08-01
• Subjects: Water-soluble polythiophene -- Bulk heterojunction solar cell -- Organic photovoltaic; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.07.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: Two water-soluble regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, incorporating aminic groups at the end of the side chains, have been synthesized using a post-polymerization functionalization procedure on a ω-bromine substituted polyalkylthiophene. The high solubility of the obtained polymers in water allowed for the preparation of "green" bulk heterojunction solar cells which reached a power conversion efficiency of 4.85% when PC61 BM was used as electron-acceptor material. Improved optical absorption and photocurrent have been obtained by interposing a layer of Ag nanoparticles between the buffer and the photoactive layer, leading to a final power conversion efficiency of 5.51%. Graphical abstract: 3D Optimization of PT6NEt (top) and PT6Pir (bottom) repeating units. Image 1 Highlights: Water-soluble polythiophenes have been synthesized using a reactive polymer precursor. Polymeric solar cells show satisfactory efficiencies. An interlayer of Ag nanoparticles can increase the light conversion.