Non-Halogenated Solid Additives for Organic Solar Cell Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic solar cells using non-fullerene acceptors face issues with high voltage loss, instability, and toxicity from halogenated volatile additives, which affect device stability and performance.

Innovation Solution

A non-halogenated solid additive, such as 2-(4-phenoxybenzylidene)-1H-indene-1,3 (2H)-dione (PID), is used to form a photoactive layer by mixing with electron donors and acceptors, optimizing the nanostructure and enhancing thermal stability without toxic halogens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-boiling-point solvent additives are used to optimize the nanostructure of the photoactive layer, then the power conversion efficiency is improved, but the device stability deteriorates due to remaining additives accelerating structural instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the additive from liquid (high-boiling-point solvent) to solid (non-volatile compound), which fundamentally alters the additive's behavior after processing. The solid additive can be completely removed through thermal annealing, preventing the stability issues caused by residual liquid additives while maintaining the nanostructure optimization benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition by employing a solid additive that can be sublimed or evaporated during thermal annealing processing. This phase change from solid to gas allows complete removal of the additive after it has served its function in optimizing the bulk heterojunction structure, thereby eliminating the source of long-term instability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If volatile solid additives containing halogen elements are used to improve device performance, then the power conversion efficiency is enhanced, but the environmental safety deteriorates due to toxicity and harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful halogen-containing volatile additives into beneficial non-halogenated solid additives. By eliminating the toxic halogen elements while retaining the additive's functional role in optimizing molecular arrangement and nanostructure, the invention transforms an environmentally harmful approach into a safe and sustainable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable additive strategy where the solid additive serves its purpose during manufacturing and thermal processing, then is completely removed through sublimation or evaporation. This temporary presence of the additive during processing, followed by complete removal, eliminates long-term environmental and health concerns associated with persistent halogenated compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If volatile solid additives are used to optimize the photoactive layer structure, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the device reliability deteriorates due to morphological defects during sublimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidmorphological stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular structure parameters of the solid additive to control its sublimation or evaporation behavior. By carefully designing the additive's chemical structure, the patent ensures complete removal without causing morphological defects, thus maintaining both ease of manufacture and device reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solid additive improves power conversion efficiency, thermal stability, and reduces morphological instability by maintaining a favorable bulk heterojunction structure and promoting exciton dissociation, while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

Since the added molecules have selective solubility and high boiling points, excessive aggregation of small molecule receptors is delayed on a photoactive film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective solubility:

Implementation Method 2

research on volatile solid additives through thermal annealing has been conducted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal annealing: Annealing

Implementation Method 3

promoting exciton dissociation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExciton dissociation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250243144A1Solid additives for organic solar cells and methods of preparing photoactive layers comprising them

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 GWANGJU INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

The present inventive concept relates to a solid additive for organic solar cells and a method of preparing a photoactive layer including the same. It is possible to manufacture an organic solar cell with excellent power conversion efficiency and thermal stability by preparing a photoactive layer including a non-volatile, non-halogenated solid additive.