Dual-heterodyne Kelvin probe force microscopy

International audienceWe present a new open-loop implementation of Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) that provides access to the Fourier spectrum of the time-periodic surface electrostatic potential generated under optical (or electrical) pumping with an atomic force microscope. The modulus and phase coefficients are probed by exploiting a double heterodyne frequency mixing effect between the mechanical oscillation of the cantilever, modulated components of the time-periodic electrostatic potential at harmonic frequencies of the pump, and an ac bias modulation signal. Each harmonic can be selectively transferred to the second cantilever eigenmode. We show how phase coherent sideband generation and signal demodulation at the second eigenmode can be achieved by using two numerical lock-in amplifiers configured in cascade. Dual-heterodyne KPFM (DHe-KPFM) can be used to map any harmonic (amplitude/phase) of the time-periodic surface potential at a standard scanning speed. The Fourier spectrum (series of harmonics) can also be recorded in spectroscopic mode (DHe-KPFM spectroscopy), and 2D dynamic images can be acquired in data cube mode. The capabilities of DHe-KPFM in terms of time-resolved measurements, surface photovoltage (SPV) imaging, and detection of weak SPV signals are demonstrated through a series of experiments on difference surfaces: a reference substrate, a bulk organic photovoltaic heterojunction thin film, and an optoelectronic interface obtained by depositing caesium lead bromide perovskite nanosheets on a graphite surface. The conclusion provides perspectives for future improvements and applications

Revisiting doping mechanisms of n-type organic materials with N-DMBI for thermoelectric applications: Photo-activation, thermal activation, and air stability

International audienceUnderstanding doping mechanisms is essential for optimizing the doping efficiency and rationally designing next generations of dopants and organic materials. Over the last years, N-DMBI became a reference solution-processed n-type dopant, affording decent air-stability and record power factor for thermoelectric energy generation. Nevertheless, a complet

Effect of a benzothiadiazole spacer on transport properties and N-doping of naphthalene-diimidebased copolymers

International audienceIncorporation of a benzothiadiazole moiety into a thiophene and naphthalene diimide-based copolymer improves electron mobility, conductivity and stability in the doped state

Pyrrole-Embedded Linear and Helical Graphene Nanoribbons

International audienceLinear and helical graphene nanoribbons (L-PyGNR and H-PyGNR) bearing electron-rich pyrrole units have been synthesized by using the photochemical cyclodehydrochlorination (CDHC) reaction. The pyrrole units in the polymer backbone make the polymer electron-rich with moderate bandgap values and relatively high HOMO energy levels. The planarization of the pyrrole unit through cyclization yields a bandgap value almost 0.5 eV lower than that measured for polypyrrole. Conductivity values in the thin film up to 0.12 S/cm were measured for the chemically oxidized L-PyGNR (four-point method). Both GNRs showed excellent fluorescence sensing properties for TNT in solution with K SV values up to 6.4 × 10 6 M −1

Non‐Fullerene Acceptors with an Extended π‐Conjugated Core: Third Components in Ternary Blends for High‐Efficiency, Post‐Treatment‐Free Organic Solar Cells

International audienc

Push-pull photochromic dyes for semi-transparent solar cells with light-adjustable optical properties and high color-rendering index

International audienceWe report the design, synthesis and characterization of push-pull photochromic naphthopyran dyes, incorporating different carbazole moieties as the electron-donor group for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. Compared to a reference dye incorporating a diphenylamine-type donor moiety, the introduction of functionalized carbazoles allows for a hypsochromic shift of the absorption of the coloured isomers of the dyes in the visible region and a better tuning of their spectra to the photopic response of the human eye. Under illumination, the molecules exhibit a broad absorption with a maximum comprised between 546 nm and 571 nm in solution and they reveal relatively fast discoloration kinetics. By using these dyes to fabricate photochromic solar cells whose optical and photovoltaic properties vary with the light exposure, we have achieved a PCE of up to 3% in opaque cells. Using these molecules in semi-transparent solar cells with different electrolytes, a PCE of 2.3% was achieved. We also produced a semi-transparent mini-module with an average visible transmittance varying between 66% and 50% and a colour rendering index around 95 in both the uncoloured and coloured states

Star-shape non-fullerene acceptor featuring an aza-triangulene core for organic solar cells

International audienceWe present the simple synthesis of a star-shape non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) for application in organic solar cells. This NFA possesses a D(A)3 structure in which the electron-donating core is an aza-triangulene unit and we report the first crystal structure for a star shape NFA based on this motive. We fully characterized this molecule’s optoelectronic properties in solution and thin films, investigating its photovoltaic properties when blended with PTB7-Th as the electron donor component. We demonstratethat the aza-triangulene core leads to a strong absorption in the visible range with an absorption edge going from 700 nm in solution to above 850 nm in the solid state. The transport properties of the pristine molecule were investigated in field effect transistors (OFETs) and in blends with PTB7-Th following a Space-Charge-Limited Current (SCLC) protocol. We found that the mobility of electrons measured in films deposited from o-xylene and chlorobenzene are quite similar (up to 2.70 x 10$^{-4}$ cm$^2$ V$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$) and that the values are not significantly modified by thermal annealing. The new NFA combined with PTB7-Th in the active layer of inverted solar cells leads to a power conversion efficiency of around 6.3% (active area 0.16 cm$^2$) when processed from non-chlorinated solvents without thermal annealing. Thanks to impedance spectroscopy measurements performed on the solar cells, we show that the charge collection efficiency of the devices is limited by the transport properties rather than by recombination kinetics. Finally, we investigated the stability of this new NFA in various conditions and show that the star-shape molecule is more resistant against photolysis in the presence and absence of oxygen than ITIC

Star-shape non-fullerene acceptor featuring an aza-triangulene core for organic solar cells

International audienceA novel star-shape non-fullerene acceptor containing an aza-triangulene core is synthesized, characterized and used in inverted organic solar cells

Star-shape non-fullerene acceptor featuring an aza-triangulene core for organic solar cells

International audienceA novel star-shape non-fullerene acceptor containing an aza-triangulene core is synthesized, characterized and used in inverted organic solar cells