Unconventional third components for ternary organic solar cells. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adil, M.A.; Iqbal, M.J.; Zhang, J.; Wei, Z.
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 21(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Nanomaterials -- Solid Additives -- Ternary blends -- Absorption -- Morphology -- 3D AIE molecules; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2021.100728
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: The ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs) have recently emerged as an efficient strategy to effectively overcome the shortcomings of the binary bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices, by enabling stronger and broader photo-absorption and efficient nanomorphology regulation, which in turn leads to better charge generation, transportation, and collection in the corresponding devices. Hence, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) over 17% have been successfully achieved by a careful inclusion of an appropriate ternary component in the binary films. Pursuing even higher PCEs, the researchers have even utilized various untraditional organic conjugated molecules or other nanomaterials as the third component to enhance their device performance. Therefore, in this review, besides describing the role of the traditional ternary components, the use of various unconventional third components, such as organic dyes, solid additives, nanomaterials, and quantum dots, etc., to enhance the absorption range, crystallinity, phase separation, and charge mobility, etc., and ultimately, the performance of the ternary devices, have been summarized. Graphical abstract: The ternary organic solar cells have emerged as an efficient strategy to overcome the shortcomings of the binary devices. The careful inclusion of an appropriate ternary component can enhance the active layer parameters. Therefore, in this review, the role of various unconventional third components to enhance the absorption range, crystallinity and phase separation, etc., ultimately, the performance of the ternary devices, has been summarized. Image 1 Highlights: The ternary strategy is an effective way to overcome the shortcomings of the binary bulk heterojunction devices. A simple inclusion of an appropriate third component optimizes the BHJ parameters and results in enhanced performance. The unconventional third components have recently emerged as excellent ternary components. Despite being poor binary components, these unconventional third components can produce excellent ternarydevices. This review summarizes the role of such unconventional third components in enhancing the ternary device performance.