Nanocomposition of PEDOT:PSS with metal phthalocyanines as promising hole transport layers for organic photovoltaics

PEDOT:PSS is one of the most widely used materials as a hole selective layer in organic photovoltaics due to its easy processing and high reproducibility. Unfortunately, the material is limited when testing new donor:acceptor systems due to its intrinsic frontier energy levels which typically leads to energy losses due to inadequate energy level alignment and presence of resistive losses. In this work, PEDOT:PSS:metal phthalocyanines nanocomposite thin films are formulated and used as hole transport layer for organic solar cells (OSCs). PEDOT:PSS is formulated with H2Pc, CuPc, CoPc and ZnPc metal phthalocyanines (MPc) with nanobelt morphology which confers the compatibility with the active layer. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to study the morphology and structure of nanocomposite films, respectively. OSCs based on PEDOT:PSS:MPc nanocomposite films were fabricated and the effect of hybrid hole transport layer with various phthalocyanines on photovoltaics properties was studied. Overall, nanocomposition of PEDOT:PSS with metal phthalocyanines improves the final power conversion efficiency of solar cells by 20% by a reduction of the resistive losses due to inadequate energy level alignment. The addition of metal phthalocyanines to PEDOT:PSS is a promising method for tailor-made hole transport materials for new donor:acceptor systems to improve their efficiencies.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

Long-term potentiation mechanism of biological postsynaptic activity in neuro-inspired halide perovskite memristors

Perovskite memristors have emerged as leading contenders in brain-inspired neuromorphic electronics. Although these devices have been shown to accurately reproduce synaptic dynamics, they pose challenges for in-depth understanding of the underlying nonlinear phenomena. Potentiation effects on the electrical conductance of memristive devices have attracted increasing attention from the emerging neuromorphic community, demanding adequate interpretation. Here, we propose a detailed interpretation of the temporal dynamics of potentiation based on nonlinear electrical circuits that can be validated by impedance spectroscopy. The fundamental observation is that the current in a capacitor decreases with time; conversely, for an inductor, it increases with time. There is no electromagnetic effect in a halide perovskite memristor, but ionic-electronic coupling creates a chemical inductor effect that lies behind the potentiation property. Therefore, we show that beyond negative transients, the accumulation of mobile ions and the eventual penetration into the charge-transport layers constitute a bioelectrical memory feature that is the key to long-term synaptic enhancement. A quantitative dynamical electrical model formed by nonlinear differential equations explains the memory-based ionic effects to inductive phenomena associated with the slow and delayed currents, invisible during the 'off mode' of the presynaptic spike-based stimuli. Our work opens a new pathway for the rational development of material mimesis of neural communications across synapses, particularly the learning and memory functions in the human brain, through a Hodgkin–Huxley-style biophysical model

Bioinspired study of energy and electron transfer in photovoltaic system

This study focuses on understanding the fundamentals of energy transfer and electron transport in photovoltaic devices with uniquely designed nanostructures by analysing energy transfer in purple photosynthetic bacteria using dye-sensitised solar cell systems. Förster resonance energy transfer between the xanthene dye (donor of energy) and a new polymethine dye (acceptor of energy) was studied in dye-sensitised solar cells, which leads to a doubling of energy conversion efficiency in comparison to the cell with only the polymethine dye. The electron transport in the two different nanostructures of zinc oxide (nanorods and nanosheets) was investigated by spectroscopic methods (UV-vis spectrometer, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy) and electrochemical potentiostat methods. The nanosheet structure of zinc oxide showed high short circuit current and long diffusion length. This fundamental study will lead to efficient artificial photosystem designs

Recent progress on perovskite materials in photovoltaic and water splitting applications

Abstract Both inorganic and hybrid (organo-inorganic) perovskite materials are potential candidates as photocatalysts for use in both photovoltaic (PV) and photocatalytic water splitting applications. Currently, research has been focused on specifically designing perovskite materials so they can harness the broad spectrum of the visible light wavelength. Inorganic perovskites such as titanates, tantalates, niobates, and ferrites show great promise as visible light-driven photocatalysts for water splitting, whereas hybrid perovskites such as methylammonium lead halides reveal unique photovoltaic and charge transport properties. The main objective of this article is to examine the progress on some recent research on perovskite nanomaterials for both solar cell and water splitting applications. This mini review paper summarizes some recent developments of organic and inorganic perovskite materials (PMs) and provides useful insights for their future improvement

Bioinspired study of energy and electron transfer in photovoltaic system

<p>This study focuses on understanding the fundamentals of energy transfer and electron transport in photovoltaic devices with uniquely designed nanostructures by analysing energy transfer in purple photosynthetic bacteria using dye-sensitised solar cell systems. Förster resonance energy transfer between the xanthene dye (donor of energy) and a new polymethine dye (acceptor of energy) was studied in dye-sensitised solar cells, which leads to a doubling of energy conversion efficiency in comparison to the cell with only the polymethine dye. The electron transport in the two different nanostructures of zinc oxide (nanorods and nanosheets) was investigated by spectroscopic methods (UV-vis spectrometer, time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy) and electrochemical potentiostat methods. The nanosheet structure of zinc oxide showed high short circuit current and long diffusion length. This fundamental study will lead to efficient artificial photosystem designs.</p