Optimization of organic solar cells with thin film Au as anode

Optical transmittance and conductivity for thin metallic films, such as Au, are two inversely related and extremely important parameters for its application in organic photovoltaics as the front electrode. We report our findings on how these parameters have been optimized to attain maximum possible efficiencies by fabricating organic solar cells with thin Au film anodes of differing optical transmittances and consequently due to scaling at the nanolevel, varying electrical conductivities. There was an extraordinary improvement in the overall solar cell efficiency (to the order of 49%) when the Au thin film transmittance was increased from 38% to 54%. Surface morphologies of these thin films also have an effect on the critical parameters including, Voc, Jsc and FF.

Optimized multilayer indium-free electrodes for organic photovoltaics

Flexible multilayer electrodes that combine high transparency, high conductivity, and efficient charge extraction have been deposited, characterised and used as the anode in organic solar cells. The anode consists of an AZO/Ag/AZO stack plus a very thin oxide interlayer whose ionization potential is fine-tuned by manipulating its gap state density to optimise charge transfer with the bulk heterojunction active layer consisting of poly(n-3- hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:BC61BM). The deposition method for the stack was compatible with the low temperatures required for polymer substrates. Optimisation of the electrode stack was achieved by modelling the optical and electrical properties of the device and a power conversion efficiency of 2.9% under AM1.5 illumination compared to 3.0% with an ITO-only anode and 3.5% for an ITO:PEDOT electrode. Dark I-V reverse bias characteristics indicate very low densities of occupied buffer states close to the HOMO level of the hole conductor, despite observed ionization potential being high enough. Their elimination should raise efficiency to that with ITO:PEDOT.

Organic photovoltaics using thin gold film as an alternative anode to indium tin oxide

Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is the most commonly used anode as a transparent electrode and more recently as an anode for organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, there are significant drawbacks in using ITO which include high material costs, mechanical instability including brittleness and poor electrical properties which limit its use in low-cost flexible devices. We present initial results of poly(3-hexylthiophene): phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester OPVs showing that an efficiency of 1.9% (short-circuit current 7.01 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage 0.55 V, fill factor 0.49) can be attained using an ultra thin film of gold coated glass as the device anode. The initial I-V characteristics demonstrate that using high work function metals when the thin film is kept ultra thin can be used as a replacement to ITO due to their greater stability and better morphological control.

P-n junction organic photovoltaics fabricated by all solution processing

We have prepared p-n junction organic photovoltaic cells using an all solution processing method with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the donor and phenyl-C 61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as the acceptor. Interdigitated donor/acceptor interface morphology was observed in the device processed with the lowest boiling point solvent for PCBM used in this study. The influences of different solvents on donor/acceptor morphology and respective device performance were investigated simultaneously. The best device obtained had characteristically rough interface morphology with a peak to valley value ∼15 nm. The device displayed a power conversion efficiency of 1.78%, an open circuit voltage (V oc) 0.44 V, a short circuit current density (J sc) 9.4 mA/cm 2 and a fill factor 43%.

Simultaneous enhancement of brightness, efficiency, and switching in RGB organic light emitting transistors

An innovative design strategy for light emitting field effect transistors (LEFETs) to harvest higher luminance and switching is presented. The strategy uses a non-planar electrode geometry in tri-layer LEFETs for simultaneous enhancement of the key parameters of quantum efficiency, brightness, switching, and mobility across the RGB color gamut.

Stable organic photovoltaics using Ag thin film anodes

The interaction at the interface between a metal electrode and photoactive polymer is crucial for overall performance and stability of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). In this article, we report a comparative study of the stability of thin film Ag and indium tin oxide (ITO) as electrodes when used in conjunction with an interfacial PEDOT:PSS layer for P3HT:PCBM blend OPV devices. XPS measurements were taken for Ag and ITO/PEDOT:PSS layered samples with different exposure times to ambient conditions (∼25 °C, ∼50% relative humidity) to investigate the migration of Ag and In into the PEDOT:PSS layer. The change in efficiency of OPVs with a longer exposure time and degree of migration is explained by the analysis of XPS results. We propose the mechanism behind the interactions occurring at the interfaces. The efficiency of the ITO electrode OPVs continuously decreased to below 10% of the initial efficiency. However, the Ag devices displayed a slower degradation and maintained 50% of the initial efficiency for the same period of time.

Crowning of dibenzosilole with a naphthalenediimide functional group to prepare an electron acceptor for organic solar cells

A novel, solution-processable non-fullerene electron acceptor 9,9′-(5,5-dioctyl-5H-dibenzo [b,d]silole-3,7-diyl)bis(2,7-dioctyl-4-(octylamino)benzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-1,3,6,8(2H,7H)-tetraone) (B3) based on dibenzosilole and naphthalenediimide building blocks was designed, synthesized, characterized and successfully used in a bulk-heterojunction organic solar cell. B3 displayed excellent solubility, thermal stability and acquired electron energy levels matching with those of archetypal donor polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene). Solution-processable bulk-heterojunction devices afforded 1.16% power conversion efficiency with a high fill factor of 53%. B3 is the first example in the literature using this design principle, where mild donor units at the peripheries of end-capped naphthalenediimide units tune solubility and optical energy levels simultaneously.

Charge transport studies in donor-acceptor block copolymer PDPP-TNT and PC71BM based inverted organic photovoltaic devices processed in room conditions

Diketopyrrolopyrole-naphthalene polymer (PDPP-TNT), a donor-acceptor co-polymer, has shown versatile behavior demonstrating high performances in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. In this paper we report investigation of charge carrier dynamics in PDPP-TNT, and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) bulk-heterojunction based inverted OPV devices using current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics, space charge limited current (SCLC) measurements, capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics, and impedance spectroscopy (IS). OPV devices in inverted architecture, ITO/ZnO/PDPP-TNT:PC71BM/MoO3/Ag, are processed and characterized at room conditions. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of these devices are measured ∼3.8%, with reasonably good fill-factor 54.6%. The analysis of impedance spectra exhibits electron’s mobility ∼2 × 10−3 cm2V−1s−1, and lifetime in the range of 0.03-0.23 ms. SCLC measurements give hole mobility of 1.12 × 10−5 cm2V−1s−1, and electron mobility of 8.7 × 10−4 cm2V−1s−1.

Direct photocatalysis for organic synthesis by using plasmonic-metal nanoparticles irradiated with visible light

Recent advances in direct-use plasmonic-metal nanoparticles (NPs) as photocatalysts to drive organic synthesis reactions under visible-light irradiation have attracted great interest. Plasmonic-metal NPs are characterized by their strong interaction with visible light through excitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Herein, we review recent developments in direct photocatalysis using plasmonic-metal NPs and their applications. We focus on the role played by the LSPR of the metal NPs in catalyzing organic transformations and, more broadly, the role that light irradiation plays in catalyzing the reactions. Through this, the reaction mechanisms that these light-excited energetic electrons promote will be highlighted. This review will be of particular interest to researchers who are designing and fabricating new plasmonic-metal NP photocatalysts by identifying important reaction mechanisms that occur through light irradiation.

Spatial distribution of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Australia's atmosphere

A nation-wide passive air sampling campaign recorded concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in Australia's atmosphere in 2012. XAD-based passive air samplers were deployed for one year at 15 sampling sites located in remote/background, agricultural and semi-urban and urban areas across the continent. Concentrations of 47 polychlorinated biphenyls ranged from 0.73 to 72 pg m-3 (median of 8.9 pg m-3) and were consistently higher at urban sites. The toxic equivalent concentration for the sum of 12 dioxin-like PCBs was low, ranging from below detection limits to 0.24 fg m-3 (median of 0.0086 fg m-3). Overall, the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in Australia were among the lowest reported globally to date. Among the organochlorine pesticides, hexachlorobenzene had the highest (median of 41 pg m-3) and most uniform concentration (with a ratio between highest and lowest value [similar]5). Bushfires may be responsible for atmospheric hexachlorobenzene levels in Australia that exceeded Southern Hemispheric baseline levels by a factor of [similar]4. Organochlorine pesticide concentrations generally increased from remote/background and agricultural sites to urban sites, except for high concentrations of [small alpha]-endosulfan and DDTs at specific agricultural sites. Concentrations of heptachlor (0.47-210 pg m-3), dieldrin (ND-160 pg m-3) and trans- and cis-chlordanes (0.83-180 pg m-3, sum of) in Australian air were among the highest reported globally to date, whereas those of DDT and its metabolites (ND-160 pg m-3, sum of), [small alpha]-, [small beta]-, [gamma]- and [small delta]-hexachlorocyclohexane (ND-6.7 pg m-3, sum of) and [small alpha]-endosulfan (ND-27 pg m-3) were among the lowest.

Applications of passive sampling techniques in monitoring organic pollutants in the environment

As there are a myriad of micro organic pollutants that can affect the well-being of human and other organisms in the environment the need for an effective monitoring tool is eminent. Passive sampling techniques, which have been developed over the last decades, could provide several advantages to the conventional sampling methods including simpler sampling devices, more cost-effective sampling campaign, providing time-integrated load as well as representative average of concentrations of pollutants in the environment. Those techniques have been applied to monitor many pollutants caused by agricultural activities, i.e. residues of pesticides, veterinary drugs and so on. Several types of passive samplers are commercially available and their uses are widely accepted. However, not many applications of those techniques have been found in Japan, especially in the field of agricultural environment. This paper aims to introduce the field of passive sampling and then to describe some applications of passive sampling techniques in environmental monitoring studies related to the agriculture industry.

Removal of organic content from diesel exhaust particles alters cellular responses of primary human bronchial epithelial cells cultured at an air-liquid interface

Background Exposure to air pollutants, including diesel particulate matter, has been linked to adverse respiratory health effects. Inhaled diesel particulate matter contains adsorbed organic compounds. It is not clear whether the adsorbed organics or the residual components are more deleterious to airway cells. Using a physiologically relevant model, we investigated the role of diesel organic content on mediating cellular responses of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) cultured at an air-liquid interface (ALI). Methods Primary HBECs were cultured and differentiated at ALI for at least 28 days. To determine which component is most harmful, we compared primary HBEC responses elicited by residual (with organics removed) diesel emissions (DE) to those elicited by neat (unmodified) DE for 30 and 60 minutes at ALI, with cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) as the positive control, and filtered air as negative control. Cell viability (WST-1 cell proliferation assay), inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 ELISA) and changes in gene expression (qRT-PCR for HO-1, CYP1A1, TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA) were measured. Results Immunofluorescence and cytological staining confirmed the mucociliary phenotype of primary HBECs differentiated at ALI. Neat DE caused a comparable reduction in cell viability at 30 or 60 min exposures, whereas residual DE caused a greater reduction at 60 min. When corrected for cell viability, cytokine protein secretion for TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were maximal with residual DE at 60 min. mRNA expression for HO-1, CYP1A1, TNF-α and IL-8 was not significantly different between exposures. Conclusion This study provides new insights into epithelial cell responses to diesel emissions using a physiologically relevant aerosol exposure model. Both the organic content and residual components of diesel emissions play an important role in determining bronchial epithelial cell response in vitro. Future studies should be directed at testing potentially useful interventions against the adverse health effects of air pollution exposure.

Halogen bonds in 2D supramolecular self-assembly of organic semiconductors

Weak interactions between bromine, sulphur, and hydrogen are shown to stabilize 2D supramolecular monolayers at the liquid–solid interface. Three different thiophene-based semiconducting organic molecules assemble into close-packed ultrathin ordered layers. A combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) elucidates the interactions within the monolayer. Electrostatic interactions are identified as the driving force for intermolecular Br⋯Br and Br⋯H bonding. We find that the S⋯S interactions of the 2D supramolecular layers correlate with the hole mobilities of thin film transistors of the same materials.

Characterisation, toxicity and source apportionment of atmospheric organic pollutants in urban schools

Airborne organic pollutants have significant impacts on health; however their sources, atmospheric characteristics and resulting human exposures are poorly understood. This research characterized chemical composition of atmospheric volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbonyls in representative number of primary schools in Brisbane Metropolitan Area, quantified their concentrations, assessed their toxicity and apportioned them to their sources. The findings expand scientific knowledge of these pollutants, and will contribute towards science based management of risks associated with pollution emissions and air quality in schools and other urban and indoor environments.

Structural and functional characterization of dendritic arbors and GABAergic synaptic inputs on interneurons and principal cells in the rat basolateral amygdala

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a complex brain region associated with processing emotional states, such as fear, anxiety, and stress. Some aspects of these emotional states are driven by the network activity of synaptic connections, derived from both local circuitry and projections to the BLA from other regions. Although the synaptic physiology and general morphological characteristics are known for many individual cell types within the BLA, the combination of morphological, electrophysiological, and distribution of neurochemical GABAergic synapses in a three-dimensional neuronal arbor has not been reported for single neurons from this region. The aim of this study was to assess differences in morphological characteristics of BLA principal cells and interneurons, quantify the distribution of GABAergic neurochemical synapses within the entire neuronal arbor of each cell type, and determine whether GABAergic synaptic density correlates with electrophysiological recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. We show that BLA principal neurons form complex dendritic arborizations, with proximal dendrites having fewer spines but higher densities of neurochemical GABAergic synapses compared with distal dendrites. Furthermore, we found that BLA interneurons exhibited reduced dendritic arbor lengths and spine densities but had significantly higher densities of putative GABAergic synapses compared with principal cells, which was correlated with an increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The quantification of GABAergic connectivity, in combination with morphological and electrophysiological measurements of the BLA cell types, is the first step toward a greater understanding of how fear and stress lead to changes in morphology, local connectivity, and/or synaptic reorganization of the BLA.