Revival of Insulating Polyethylenimine by Creatively Carbonizing with Perylene into Highly Crystallized Carbon Dots as the Cathode Interlayer for High-Performance Organic Solar Cells

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c23494
• Publication Date: 2022-01-03T17:33:40Z
• Authors: Yiman Dong; Runnan Yu; Biao Zhao; Yongshuai Gong; Haoran Jia; Zongwen Ma; Huaizhi Gao; Zhan’ao Tan
• Keywords: Polyethylenimine; Indium tin oxide; Carbon fibers

The development of new electron transporting layer (ETL) materials to improve the charge carrier extraction and collection ability between cathode active has been demonstrated be an effective approach enhance photovoltaic performance organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, water-soluble carbon dots (CDs) as ETL material have creatively synthesized by a vigorous chemical reaction polyethylenimine (PEI) 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) via simple one-step hydrothermal method. Taking full advantage high transfer property PTCDA work function (WF) reduction PEI, CD gained mobility due its large π-conjugated area reduced WF indium tin oxide (ITO) 0.75 eV. As for devices, inverted OSCs based on CDs achieved power conversion efficiency (PCE) 17.35%, exhibiting no burn-in effect with in PCE after more than 4000 h storage. successful application OPV developed avenue designing efficient that benefits OSCs.