Efficient Semitransparent Layer-by-Layer Organic Photovoltaics via Optimizing Wide Bandgap and Narrow Absorption Polymer Layer Thickness

Layer-by-layer organic photovoltaics (LbL-OPVs) are fabricated using wide bandgap polymer D18 with narrow photon harvesting range in visible light region and narrow bandgap small molecular N3 with strong near-infrared photon harvesting; the only difference is D18 layer thickness adjusted by spin coating speed. A 15.75% power conversion efficiency (PCE) is obtained from the LbLOPVs with D18 layer prepared under 7000 round per minute of spin coating condition; the corresponding D18/N3 layers have a 52.06% of average visible transmittance (AVT) in the spectral range from 370 to 740 nm. Based on the optimized D18/N3 layers, semitransparent LbL-OPVs are built with 1 nm Au/(10, 15, 20 nm) Ag as the top electrode. The PCE and AVT of semitransparent LbL-OPVs can be simultaneously adjusted by altering Ag layer thickness due to its variable reflectance and conductivity of top electrode dependence on Ag layer thickness. The PCE/AVT of 12.58%/22.81%, 13.80%/15.09%, and 14.85%/ 9.48% can be individually achieved from the semitransparent LbL-OPVs with 10, 15, or 20 nm-thick Ag layer, which should be among the highest values of semitransparent OPVs based on bulk heterojunction or LbL structures. Adjusting donor layer thickness may be an effective method to construct efficient semitransparent LbL-OPVs.

Automated summary

In this study, layer-by-layer organic photovoltaics with different degrees of transparency were fabricated. By adjusting the thickness of the top electrode and selecting suitable polymer and small molecule materials, the researchers achieved high power conversion efficiency and average visible transmittance in the semitransparent photovoltaic devices.