AP19576727 "Development of a prototype of organic solar cells with a two-dimensional charge separation mechanism"

Name of the competition: CS MSHE GF 2023-2025

Amount of financing: 74 509 373.90 tenge

Project summary:

The main idea of the project is to develop a new structure of organic solar cells (OSCs) with a two-dimensional charge separation mechanism by using nanocomposite copper oxide/copper thiocyanate films as an electric transport layer. The 2D charge separation mechanism will balance the mobility of holes and reduce the density of isolated domains in the photoactive layer, which will lead to an increase in quantum efficiency, photocurrent and photovoltaic characteristics of OSCs.

The aim of the project

Increase the photovoltaic parameters of organic solar cells based on volumetric heterojunction. The goal of the project will be achieved by developing the architecture of a solar cell with a 2D charge separation mechanism, which will be implemented by modifying the morphology of a selective layer with hole conductivity (hole transport layer) based on nanostructured copper compound films.

Project objectives:

Synthesis of films with hole conductivity with planar morphology
Synthesis of nanostructured films based on various copper compounds.
Development and characterization of highly efficient organic solar cells.

Stages of project implementation:

As a result of the implementation of Task 1, the technology of deposition of CuSCN thin films with specified optical and electrical properties as HTL for OSCs will be developed.
During the implementation of Task 2, Cu₂O nanocrystals will be synthesized on the surface of CuSCN. The main task is to synthesize Cu₂O nanocrystals with a density of nanocrystals commensurate with the path length of holes in BHJ. This HTL morphology will increase the quantum efficiency, photocurrent and photovoltaic performance of OSCs. In addition, the effect of the crystalline features of Cu₂O nanocrystals on the efficiency of charge separation will be investigated. To do this, arrays of Cu₂O nanocrystals with different shapes of nanocrystals will be synthesized. The optimal morphology, dimension and density of Cu₂O nanocrystal arrays will be established to ensure efficient separation and transport of holes.
The BHJ deposition process will be optimized taking into account the HTL morphology (solution concentration, deposition rate, temperature, surface pretreatment, etc.). Standard donor-acceptor mixtures based on P3HT:PC60BM, PTB7:PC70BM, PTB7 will be used as BHJ materials:Th:PC70BM and other photoactive polymers compatible with ITIC-based acceptor material. The morphology and local electrical properties of BHJ will be investigated by scanning probe microscopy. The mechanisms of transfer and recombination of charge carriers in OSCs will be investigated by luminescent spectroscopy and impedance spectroscopy methods. The synthesis and deposition processes of each functional layer of the OSCs structure glass/FTO/CuSCN/Cu₂O/BHJ/LiF/Al will be optimized. The result of the implementation of Task 3 will be the development of highly efficient OSCs with a 2D charge separation mechanism.

Expected results

As a result of the project, a technology for the synthesis of nanocomposite films of copper thiocyanate/copper oxide (CuSCN/Cu₂O) as an electric transport layer with hole conductivity (HTL) for organic solar cells will be developed. Based on synthesized CuSCN/Cu₂O films, highly efficient organic solar cells with a two-dimensional charge separation mechanism will be developed. The dynamics of charge carrier transfer in the CuSCN/Cu₂O: a photoactive layer with different morphology of Cu₂O nanocrystals from cubic to octahedral system will be studied in detail.

Based on the results obtained, at least 3 (three) will be published articles and (or) reviews in peer-reviewed scientific publications in the scientific direction of the project, indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science database and (or) having a CiteScore percentile in the Scopus database of at least 50 (fifty); and at least 2 (two) articles or reviews in peer-reviewed foreign or domestic publications recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (CQASEME).

The results of this project will contribute to the development of nanotechnology and green technologies in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The project will involve undergraduates and PhD doctoral students who will gain practical knowledge and skills in the synthesis of nanostructured thin films, the development of third-generation solar cells, research methods and characterization of nanomaterials and semiconductor devices.

Project Team

Zavgorodny Alexey Vladimirovich, Ph.D.

Scientific supervisor of the project

Role in the project: Setting research goals and objectives for all members of the research group. Control and conduct of scientific research. Synthesis of samples. Studies of the morphology of samples. Analysis of the results obtained. Writing reports on the work done and articles

Ilyasov Baurzhan Rashitovich, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Leading Researcher

Role in the project: Synthesis of samples. Assembly of solar cells. Measurement and analysis of VAC and impedance spectra. Writing reports and articles.

Kudryashov Vladislav Vladimirovich, PhD

Senior Researcher;

Role in the project: Studies of the morphology of samples using SEM and AFM methods. Studies of the structure of samples by XPS and XRD methods. Analysis of the results obtained. Writing reports and articles.

Timur Maratovich Serikov, PhD

Senior Researcher;

Role in the project: Synthesis of thin films. Studies of recombination processes and degradation mechanisms in OSCs, Analysis of the results obtained. Writing reports and articles

Kambar Dinara Serikbaykyzy, Master of Technical Sciences

Research assistant

Role in the project: Synthesis of samples. Assembly of solar cells. Measurement of electrical properties. Writing reports

Gulsaya Serikovna Seisenbayeva, Master of Natural Sciences