Solution-processed organic tandem solar cells with power conversion efficiencies >12%

Li, MM (Li, Miaomiao)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Gao, K (Gao, Ke)^[ 5 ] ; Wan, XJ (Wan, Xiangjian)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Zhang, Q (Zhang, Qian)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Kan, B (Kan, Bin)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Xia, RX (Xia, Ruoxi)^[ 5 ] ; Liu, F (Liu, Feng)^[ 6 ] ; Yang, X (Yang, Xuan)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Feng, HR (Feng, Huanran)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Ni, W (Ni, Wang)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]}; Wang, YC (Wang, Yunchuang)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Peng, JJ (Peng, Jiajun)^[ 7 ] ; Zhang, HT (Zhang, Hongtao)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} ; Liang, ZQ (Liang, Ziqi)^[ 7 ] ; Yip, HL (Yip, Hin-Lap)^[ 5 ] ; Peng, XB (Peng, Xiaobin)^[ 5 ] ; Cao, Y (Cao, Yong)^[ 5 ] ; Chen, YS (Chen, Yongsheng)^{[ 1,2,3,4 ]} 

NATURE PHOTONICS, 2017, 1192): 85-90

DOI: 10.1038/NPHOTON.2016.240

 WOS:000393731000010

Abstract

An effective way to improve the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells is to use a tandem architecture consisting of two subcells, so that a broader part of the solar spectrum can be used and the thermalization loss of photon energy can be minimized(1). For a tandem cell to work well, it is important for the subcells to have complementary absorption characteristics and generate high and balanced (matched) currents. This requires a rather challenging effort to design and select suitable active materials for use in the subcells. Heke, we report a high-performance solution-processed, tandem solar cell based on the small molecules DR3TSBDT and DPPEZnP-TBO, which offer efficient, complementary absorption when used as electron donor materials in the front and rear subcells, respectively. Optimized devices achieve a power conversion efficiency of 12.50% (verified 12.70%), which represents a new level of capability for solution-processed, organic solar cells.