Slow charge generation plays big role in model material for solar cells

Slow charge generation plays big role in model material for solar cells
Visible-pump / X-ray probe photoelectron spectroscopy monitors exciton migration and charge generation in a molecular heterojunction between a copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) donor and a fullerene-based (C60) acceptor. Singlet excitons in the interfacial region (blue) dominate charge generation on the shortest timescales. On longer timescales, however, triplet excitons from excitations within the bulk material (red) contribute the majority of generated charges, ultimately dominating the time-averaged charge generation yield. Credit: Friedrich Roth, Institute for Experimental Physics, TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Next-generation devices based on molecular materials have the potential to efficiently use sunlight to produce electricity or to drive chemical reactions. In contrast to commercial solar cells, where absorption of light directly generates charge that can be extracted as electricity, absorption of light by molecular materials creates uncharged energetic states called excitons. The trick to making an effective device is to efficiently convert the excitons into charge. This study uncovered a new mechanism to create charge from excitons. By following excitons in a model molecular material, a team found that lower energy excitons made deep in the bulk play a larger part in generating charge than previously thought.

The team's study shows that a previously neglected, slower pathway creates most of the charge at the interface. This insight shows a pathway that scientists should consider when designing molecular electronics. The study also provides absolute benchmark values for the design of specialized interfaces that efficiently convert light to charge.

To design molecular solar cells, sensors, etc., researchers need to know how light creates electricity on an atomic scale. This isn't easy because the processes can occur in a trillionth of a second (picosecond). Researchers found a way, using picosecond time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a model material made of a copper-based and a carbon acceptor. Specifically, they looked at metal-organic heterojunctions in a copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) donor and fullerene-based (C60) acceptor. The method lets scientists study how excitons migrate through the material and dissociate into separated charges that are useful for electronic or chemical applications. Their results changed how scientists think about energy in this material. The previous view focused on the higher energy excitons, known as singlet excitons, that are directly generated by the light. Researchers thought the singlet excitons created where the donor and acceptor materials meet generated most of the electricity. Not so. Slower forming, lower-energy triplet excitons that form in the bulk of the copper-based material contribute the majority of charge on a time-averaged basis.

The study offers new insights into migration and charge generation in these . Also, it provides absolute benchmark values for the design of CuPc-C60 heterojunctions for efficient -to-charge conversion.

More information: Friedrich Roth et al. Efficient charge generation from triplet excitons in metal-organic heterojunctions, Physical Review B (2019). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.99.020303

Journal information: Physical Review B

Citation: Slow charge generation plays big role in model material for solar cells (2019, April 22) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-04-big-role-material-solar-cells.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Excitons pave the way to higher-performance electronics

8 shares

Feedback to editors