Organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology has been intensively investigated over the last decades as it represents an intriguing alternative for electrical power generation. Nevertheless, its market penetration is limited not so much by the lower power conversion efficiencies compared to inorganic devices, but rather by the use of halogenated organic solvents, which are toxic and harmful (1-2). Polymer-based water-processable nanoparticles (WPNPs) represent a way to overcome the problem. Amphiphilic rod-coil block copolymers (ABCPs) (3), bearing a rigid block and a hydrophilic flexible segment, are able to self-assemble via miniemulsion method without using any surfactant, generating organized nanostructures. The hydrophilic flexible block works as surfactant and interacting with aqueous medium assures the colloidal suspension stability (4). Also, it interacts with the electron-acceptor material (n-type), leading to the formation of pre-aggregated domains, suitable to achieve the charge percolation into the final device. Particularly, we synthetized the low band-gap polymer PTB7, in order to connect it to a tailored segment of P4VP producing a new ABCP, the PTB7-b-P4VP. This polymer allows the fabrication of efficient PV cells and furthermore it is semi-crystalline (5). We carried out an in-depth characterization to confirm the molecular structure of PTB7-b-P4VP, and we tested its capability to self-assemble in aqueous medium to produce nanoparticles, both neat and in blend with fullerene derivatives. The obtained WPNPs were characterized by DLS and spectroscopy, deposited in films characterized by AFM and will be employed as active layer in OPV devices. References 1.Holmes P., Marks M., Kumar P., Kroon R., Barr M. G., Andersson R., Dastoor P. C., Belcher W. J. Nano Energy 2016, 19, 495-510 2.Zhang S., Ye L., Zhang H., Hou J. Materials Today 2016, 19, 533-543 3.Zappia S., Mendichi R., Battiato S., Scavia G., Mastria R., Samperi F., Destri S. Polymer 2015, 80, 245-258 4.Ferretti A. M., Zappia S., Scavia G., Giovanella U., Villafiorita F., Destri S., Polymer 2019, 174, 61-69 5.Zappia S., Scavia G., Ferretti A. M., Giovanella U., Vohra V., Destri S. Adv Sustainable Syst. 2018, 2, 1700155 Acknowledgements: This work was funded by ENI Corporate University
Polymer-based water-processable blend nanoparticles as a tool to improve OPV sustainability
M Diterlizzi;S Zappia;S Destri
2020
Abstract
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology has been intensively investigated over the last decades as it represents an intriguing alternative for electrical power generation. Nevertheless, its market penetration is limited not so much by the lower power conversion efficiencies compared to inorganic devices, but rather by the use of halogenated organic solvents, which are toxic and harmful (1-2). Polymer-based water-processable nanoparticles (WPNPs) represent a way to overcome the problem. Amphiphilic rod-coil block copolymers (ABCPs) (3), bearing a rigid block and a hydrophilic flexible segment, are able to self-assemble via miniemulsion method without using any surfactant, generating organized nanostructures. The hydrophilic flexible block works as surfactant and interacting with aqueous medium assures the colloidal suspension stability (4). Also, it interacts with the electron-acceptor material (n-type), leading to the formation of pre-aggregated domains, suitable to achieve the charge percolation into the final device. Particularly, we synthetized the low band-gap polymer PTB7, in order to connect it to a tailored segment of P4VP producing a new ABCP, the PTB7-b-P4VP. This polymer allows the fabrication of efficient PV cells and furthermore it is semi-crystalline (5). We carried out an in-depth characterization to confirm the molecular structure of PTB7-b-P4VP, and we tested its capability to self-assemble in aqueous medium to produce nanoparticles, both neat and in blend with fullerene derivatives. The obtained WPNPs were characterized by DLS and spectroscopy, deposited in films characterized by AFM and will be employed as active layer in OPV devices. References 1.Holmes P., Marks M., Kumar P., Kroon R., Barr M. G., Andersson R., Dastoor P. C., Belcher W. J. Nano Energy 2016, 19, 495-510 2.Zhang S., Ye L., Zhang H., Hou J. Materials Today 2016, 19, 533-543 3.Zappia S., Mendichi R., Battiato S., Scavia G., Mastria R., Samperi F., Destri S. Polymer 2015, 80, 245-258 4.Ferretti A. M., Zappia S., Scavia G., Giovanella U., Villafiorita F., Destri S., Polymer 2019, 174, 61-69 5.Zappia S., Scavia G., Ferretti A. M., Giovanella U., Vohra V., Destri S. Adv Sustainable Syst. 2018, 2, 1700155 Acknowledgements: This work was funded by ENI Corporate UniversityI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
