Effects of nematic liquid crystal additives on the performance of polymer solar cells

Seonju Jeong, Younghwan Kwon, Byeong Dae Choi, Giseop Kwak, Yoon Soo Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nematic liquid crystals (NLCs), 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl and 4-cyano-4′-octylbiphenyl, were applied as additives to polymer solar cells with P3HT:PC61BM blend films. The incorporation of NLC additives led to a higher absorbance of the blend film, a higher crystallinity of P3HT, closer P3HT chains, larger PC61BM domains and enhanced hole/electron mobilities even without post-thermal annealing. The non-annealed PSC with 4 wt.-% 8CB additives showed an increase in all parameters, resulting in a power conversion efficiency of 3.72% compared to 2.14% of the reference device without NLC additives. Nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) are applied as additives to polymer solar cells consisting of P3HT:PC61BM blend films. The incorporation of NLC additives leads to a considerable improvement in power conversion efficiency even without post-thermal annealing, due to a higher absorbance of the blend film, a higher crystallinity of P3HT, closer P3HT chains, larger PC61BM domains and enhanced hole/electron mobilities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2474-2479
Number of pages6
JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Volume211
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2010

Keywords

  • additive
  • nematic liquid crystal
  • P3HT
  • PCBM
  • polymer solar cell

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