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Recent Advances in n‐Type Polymers for All‐Polymer Solar Cells
Author(s) -
Genene Zewdneh,
Mammo Wendimagegn,
Wang Ergang,
Andersson Mats R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201807275
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , polymer solar cell , ternary operation , fullerene , photovoltaic system , acceptor , energy conversion efficiency , nanotechnology , tandem , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , ecology , physics , computer science , biology , programming language , condensed matter physics
All‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) based on n‐ and p‐type polymers have emerged as promising alternatives to fullerene‐based solar cells due to their unique advantages such as good chemical and electronic adjustability, and better thermal and photochemical stabilities. Rapid advances have been made in the development of n‐type polymers consisting of various electron acceptor units for all‐PSCs. So far, more than 200 n‐type polymer acceptors have been reported. In the last seven years, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of all‐PSCs rapidly increased and has now surpassed 10%, meaning they are approaching the performance of state‐of‐the‐art solar cells using fullerene derivatives as acceptors. This review discusses the design criteria, synthesis, and structure–property relationships of n‐type polymers that have been used in all‐PSCs. Additionally, it highlights the recent progress toward photovoltaic performance enhancement of binary, ternary, and tandem all‐PSCs. Finally, the challenges and prospects for further development of all‐PSCs are briefly considered.