Discrepancies in reported values of exciton binding energy (Eb) for organic semiconductors (OSs) necessitate a comprehensive study. Traditionally, Eb is defined as the difference between the ...transport gap (Et) and the optical gap (Eopt). Here, the Eb values of PBnDT‐TAZ polymer variants are determined using two commonly employed methods: a combination of ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and low‐energy inverse photoemission spectroscopy (UPS‐LEIPS) and solid‐state cyclic voltammetry (CV). Eb values obtained by UPS‐LEIPS show low dispersion and no clear correlation with the polymer structure and thedielectric properties. In contrast, CV reveals a larger dispersion (200 meV‐1 eV) and an apparent qualitative Eb‐molecular structure correlation, as the lowest Eb values are observed for oligo‐ethylene glycol side chains. This discrepancy is discussed by examining the implications of the traditional definition of Eb. Additionally, the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to the derived experimental values of Et is discussed. The differences in intrinsic and extrinsic factors highlight the context‐dependent nature of measurement when drawing global conclusions. Notably, the observed Eb trend derived from CV is not intrinsic to the pure materials but likely linked to electrolyte swelling and associated changes in dielectric environment, suggesting that high‐efficiency single‐material organic photovoltaics with low Eb may be possible via high dielectric materials.
Investigating a Practical Definition of the Transport Gap. Top: Single molecule regime. Middle: Solid state with relaxation and disorder effects, and Bottom: Mobility edge model in solid state capture the charge transport character in device application.
Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells have attracted tremendous attention mostly due to their wide absorption spectrum window and potentially low processability cost. The ultimate efficiency of CQD ...solar cells is highly limited by their high trap state density. Here we show that the overall device power conversion efficiency could be improved by employing photonic structures that enhance both charge generation and collection efficiencies. By employing a two-dimensional numerical model, we have calculated the characteristics of patterned CQD solar cells based of a simple grating structure. Our calculation predicts a power conversion efficiency as high as 11.2%, with a short circuit current density of 35.2 mA/cm2, a value nearly 1.5 times larger than the conventional flat design, showing the great potential value of patterned quantum dot solar cells.
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