Nonradiative Recombination via Charge-Transfer-Exciton to Polaron Energy Transfer Limits Photocurrent in Organic Solar Cells

Khan, Saeed‐Uz‐Zaman; Gui, Manting; Liu, Xiao; Giebink, Noel C.; Kahn, Antoine; Rand, Barry P.

doi:10.1002/aenm.202200551

Nonradiative Recombination via Charge-Transfer-Exciton to Polaron Energy Transfer Limits Photocurrent in Organic Solar Cells

Journal Article · Fri Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Advanced Energy Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202200551· OSTI ID:1865619

^[1]; Gui, Manting ^[2]; ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[2]; ^[2]

Princeton Univ., NJ (United States); Princeton University
Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Here, a recombination and exciton loss mechanism is reported in organic solar cells involving energy transfer between charge transfer (CT) excitons and polarons, impacting photocurrent generation, particularly in the near-infrared where polaronic transitions typically reside. This process sets a low-energy cut-off in the external quantum efficiency spectrum of an excitonic donor/acceptor interface, determined by the low-energy polaron absorption peak and the CT state reorganization energy. Furthermore, this process explains the deviation from unity and bias dependence of the CT state's internal quantum efficiency at low photon energies. This process is demonstrated in a variety of systems and it is hypothesized that CT state to polaron energy transfer recombination may be responsible for a share of nonradiative recombination in all organic photovoltaics and can explain numerous experimentally observed device trends regarding photocurrent generation and energy losses. Overall, this work enhances the understanding of photophysical processes in organic materials and allows the design of systems that can avoid this recombination pathway.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012458; SC0012365

OSTI ID:: 1865619

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1862074

Journal Information:: Advanced Energy Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Energy Materials Journal Issue: 19 Vol. 12; ISSN 1614-6832

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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