The most important component in polymeric solar cell is the semiconducting polymer with proper band gap and energy match. In addition to these considerations in energetics, many parameters, such as morphology, molecular weights and their distribution, influence the solar cell performances. More recently, we have discovered firm evidences that indicate the crucial role of internal polarization (dipole moment) in affecting the solar cell power conversion efficiency. In this talk, we will present our results on a series of fluorinated PTB polymers, which showed a dramatic effect of the degree of fluorination at different position of the polymer backbone on solar cell properties. This effect is further augmented with results of new polymer (PBB3) that exhibit cancelled internal dipole moment. Detailed solar cell performances will be presented in correlations with structural characterization and ultrafast dynamic studies. These results revealed a very important lesson in new polymer designs and development.

How to design highly efficient solar cell polymers:  Effect of internal polarization on charge transport dynamics and solar cell efficiency

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.