Novel Squaraines for Enhanced Near Infra-red-active Organic

主要研究者：Collison，ChristopherProposal Number：1236372机构：罗切斯特技术研究所标题：用于增强近红外活性有机有机光伏（OPV）太阳能电池的新型方酸碱生产成本低廉，但效率低，最终阻止了它们的广泛使用。使用基于聚合物的活性层已经取得了一些成功，其在太阳光谱的蓝绿色区域中强烈吸收。然而，必须实现10%的功率转换效率（PCE）的商业可行性和近红外（NIR）低带隙吸收染料的掺入是必要的，以实现这一目标。因此，许多研究小组已经探索了将NIR敏化剂添加到其OPV中，但是许多有前途的低带隙材料显示出差的PCE或加工困难。一个实质性的需要仍然是新的材料和新的发展，在近红外有源OPV的制造。这个项目研究了新的，溶液可加工的方酸染料，专门针对最佳应用于近红外本体异质结有源层串联OPV。这项工作是设计的基础上的合成方酸的功能基团的系统变化和孤立的变量，如溶解度，固态形态和聚集，分子轨道能级，与富勒烯电子受体的相互作用强度和激发态寿命的相关影响的措施。由于大量潜在的合成前体，官能团取代将被利用。因此，适当的溶解度和膜形态将被拨入，这是有益的，因为导电性能与固态中分子的顺序和堆积相关联。由此产生的光吸收红移和能级的变化也将进行探讨。长期目标是描述方酸菁染料必须如何进行化学改性以实现商业可行性的高PCE。在应用驱动的研究中，经验方法通常用于实现更好的器件性能的目标。然而，一个强有力的补充方法是参与这项工作的处方，如何可以通过充分了解所有的变量和机制，有效的操作，以改善设备。为了实现最高的PCE，将利用跨学科的方法，利用团队？的能力，i）制造，测量和优化设备，ii）测试一个完整的范围内的个别属性有助于设备的效率和iii）合成新的化合物。该项目的成果将有助于实现更高效、更实惠和更可持续的太阳能电池。参与的学生将在化学，材料科学和设备工程方面建立基本的信心和理解，可以普遍应用。研究经验和出版机会的毕业生，重要的是，大量的本科生将提供。

PI: Collison, ChristopherProposal Number: 1236372Institution: Rochester Institute of TechTitle: Novel Squaraines for Enhanced Near Infra-red-active OrganicOrganic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells are inexpensive to produce but suffer from low efficiencies, which ultimately prevent their widespread use. Some success has been achieved using polymer based active layers, which absorb strongly in the blue-green region of the solar spectrum. However, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10% must be achieved for commercial viability and incorporation of a near infra-red (NIR) low-band-gap-absorbing dye is necessary to accomplish this goal. Many groups have therefore explored NIR sensitizer addition to their OPVs but many promising low band-gap materials have shown poor PCE or difficulties in processing. A substantial need remains for new materials and new developments in fabrication of NIR-active OPVs.This project investigates novel, solution processable squaraine dyes, targeted specifically for optimal application in NIR bulk heterojunction active layers for tandem OPVs. The work is designed based on a systematic variation of the functional groups on synthesized squaraines and a measure of the associated impact on isolated variables such as solubility, solid state morphology and aggregation, molecular orbital energy levels, interaction strength with fullerene electron acceptors, and excited state lifetime. Functional group substitution will be exploited because of the large number of potential synthetic precursors. Thus, an appropriate solubility and film morphology will be dialed in, beneficial since conductive properties are associated with the order and packing of the molecules in the solid state. Resulting optical absorbance red-shifts and energy level changes will also be explored. The long term goal is to describe how squaraine dyes must be chemically modified to achieve high PCEs for commercial viability. In application-driven research, an empirical approach is commonly used to meet goals for better device performance. However, a strong complementary approach is involved in this work on the prescription for how devices can be improved by fully understanding all contributing variables and mechanisms for efficient operation. To achieve the highest PCEs an interdisciplinary approach will be utilized making use of the team?s ability to i) make, measure and optimize devices, ii) test a complete range of individual properties contributing to device efficiency and iii) synthesize new compounds. The results from this project will help enable more efficient, affordable and sustainable solar cells. Participating students will develop a fundamental confidence and understanding in chemistry, materials science and device engineering that can be universally applied. Research experiences and publication opportunities for graduates and, importantly, a large number of undergraduates will be provided.