Developing cost-efficient, flexible, and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)-compliant short-wave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors compatible with roll-to-roll processing remains a significant challenge. Here we present a simplified organic 'metal-semiconductor-metal' (MSM) photodetector featuring a single solution-processed bulk heterojunction of a newly synthesized thienoisoindigo-based ultralow-bandgap polymer, TIIG-Se-DFT, blended with the nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) Y6. The TIIG-Se-DFT polymer, incorporating selenophene and fluorinated thiophene units, combines a narrow bandgap of 0.96 eV with strong absorption across 700-1600 nm and forms films with local molecular order, enabling broadband light harvesting without multistep layer stacking. Device simplicity is achieved using an interdigitated Au electrode and a single solution-processed active layer, minimizing vacuum deposition and eliminating interlayer damage due to solvent exposure. The resulting photodetector reaches a specific detectivity (D*) of ≈2 × 1011 Jones at 1150 nm, retains >0.13 × 1010 Jones at the eye-safe 1550 nm telecom band, and delivers 86/36 µs rise/fall times at 1 Vbias. Dark current is held to 4.6 × 10-8 A cm-2, and encapsulated devices preserve >95% responsivity after 800 hours of ambient aging. The simplified, high-sensitivity processing advances TIIG-Se-DFT:Y6 SWIR photodetectors toward industrial scale suitable for wearables, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and optical communications.

With organic solar cells surpassing 20% efficiency, the focus is shifting toward understanding the more complex mechanisms in ternary blends. This work investigates the distinct working principles of ternary organic solar cells based on a polymer donor (D) and a nonfullerene acceptor (NFA), with a fullerene acceptor (FA) as the third component. A systematic comparison between ternary D:NFA:FA systems, with different components and compositions, and D:NFA:NFA systems was conducted. In all systems, the open-circuit voltage increased with a higher fullerene ratio, correlating with the fullerene's LUMO position, indicating its involvement in charge transfer (CT) state formation. Various analytical methods and simulations reveal that the investigated D:NFA:FA systems follow an alloy model, where the CT state is delocalized over both acceptors, even in systems with strong surface energy differences between the acceptors. Notably, recombination behavior is largely unaffected by the nature of the third component and is primarily linked to the CT state energy. Based on the internal quantum efficiency characteristics, we propose that the positive effect of fullerenes as third components arises not from reduced nonradiative recombination as often suggested but from more efficient exciton splitting.image

Widespread application of organic-inorganic halide perovskites (OIHP) still faces a major obstacle in mitigating moisture-induced degradation. Integrating organic spacers, as defect passivation facilitators along with low-dimensional phase (LDP) formation is an effective approach to enhance the efficiency and robustness of 3D methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPI) in photovoltaics (PV). Here, the formamidinium cation (FA+) employing 3,5-difluorobenzene-1-carboximidamidium iodide (2F), 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene-1-carboximidamidium iodide (3F), and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzene-1-carboximidamidium iodide (5F) organic spacers as passivation layer in 3D/LDP OIHP solar cells is utilized. Fluorine atom position and quantity in organic spacers change the optoelectronic characteristics of the perovskites, enhancing hydrophobicity, facilitating LDP formation, and augmenting dipole moments, thereby facilitating charge separation processes. PV performance analysis reveals that 3F-treated 3D/LDP devices achieve the highest efficiency of 19.22%. Experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) studies attribute the higher performance of 3F-modified devices to effective LDP formation, enhanced passivation of defect states at perovskite surfaces and grain boundaries, the highest dipole moment and lowest band gap among the evaluated spacers. The stability tests show that, after 1000 h, 3F- and 5F-modified 3D/LDP OIHP devices retain over 85% of their initial efficiency. This research opens novel avenues for designing appropriate organic spacers to attenuate defects in 3D/LDP PV devices.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a key electron transport layer (ETL) material in next-generation lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dot solar cells (CQDSCs) due to its high transparency, strong exciton binding energy, and good electron mobility. Here, we demonstrate a scalable doctor-blading printing protocol for ZnO ETLs that integrates dual defect passivation with magnesium (Mg2*) and caesium (Cs*) and employs solvent engineering to achieve uniform, defect-minimized films. Using a ternary solvent blend (methanol, chloroform, and 2-methoxyethanol) optimizes the ink's viscosity and boiling point, preventing particle migration and ensuring full substrate coverage. Our modified ZnO ink leads to improved crystallinity, smoother surfaces, and reduced trap states, boosting the fill factor (FF) and short-circuit current (Jsc). Consequently, we achieve a power conversion efficiency increase from 5.98 % to 9.53 % using a printed CsMg-ZnO film. Notably, 80 % of dual-doped devices exceeded 7.5 % efficiency, demonstrating high reproducibility and reliability. This performance enhancement underscores the effectiveness of dual metal ion treatment and solvent engineering strategies in overcoming printability challenges. Moreover, the compatibility of our approach with low-temperature processing and established coating techniques paves the way for seamless integration into large-scale manufacturing, bringing PbS CQDSCs closer to commercial viability.

Antimony chalcogenides represent a promising thin-film solar cell technology, offering inherently high stability, and with the potential to approach the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit of ∼33%.

By controlling the pH, the formation of Sb 2 O 3 is effectively suppressed through an in situ conversion mechanism, facilitating the direct transformation to Sb 2 S 3 and enhancing the material quality for high power conversion efficiency in solar cells.

The metallization of polymers is essential for developing flexible electronics, yet precise control over metal film growth remains challenging. This study demonstrates the effect of high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) markedly influencing the early-stage development of silver, gold, and copper thin films on various polymers compared to direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS). Through advanced characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, it is discovered that HiPIMS leads to distinct nucleation patterns, resulting in superior surface coverage and reduces electrical resistance. Intriguingly, HiPIMS increases cluster density for silver and gold while decreasing it for copper, revealing its unique ability to tune metal-specific growth properties. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing metal-polymer interfaces, with far-reaching implications for optoelectronics, sensors, and flexible electronics.

Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfill ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO _2 eq) emissions worldwide, the global cumulative capacity of solar PVs must increase by an order of magnitude from 0.9 TW _p in 2021 to 8.5 TW _p by 2050 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is considered to be a highly conservative estimate. In 2020, the Henry Royce Institute brought together the UK PV community to discuss the critical technological and infrastructure challenges that need to be overcome to address the vast challenges in accelerating PV deployment. Herein, we examine the key developments in the global community, especially the progress made in the field since this earlier roadmap, bringing together experts primarily from the UK across the breadth of the PVs community. The focus is both on the challenges in improving the efficiency, stability and levelized cost of electricity of current technologies for utility-scale PVs, as well as the fundamental questions in novel technologies that can have a significant impact on emerging markets, such as indoor PVs, space PVs, and agrivoltaics. We discuss challenges in advanced metrology and computational tools, as well as the growing synergies between PVs and solar fuels, and offer a perspective on the environmental sustainability of the PV industry. Through this roadmap, we emphasize promising pathways forward in both the short- and long-term, and for communities working on technologies across a range of maturity levels to learn from each other.

Recently, the mixed‐dimensional (3D/2D or 3D/1D) perovskite solar cells using small organic spacers have attracted interest due to their outstanding long‐term stability. Here, a new type of thiophene‐based organic cation 2‐(thiophene‐2yl‐)pyridine‐1‐ium iodide (ThPyI), which is used to fabricate mixed‐dimensional 3D/1D perovskite solar cells, is presented. The ThPyI‐based 1D perovskitoid is applied as a passivator on top of a 3D methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPI) to fabricate surface‐passivated 3D/1D perovskite films or added alone into the 3D perovskite precursor to generate bulk‐passivated 3D MAPI. The 1D perovskitoid acts as a passivating agent at the grain boundaries of surface‐passivated 3D/1D, which improves the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cells. Grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS) studies confirm that ThPyI triggers the preferential orientation of the bulk MAPI slabs, which is essential to enhance charge transport. Champion bulk‐passivated 3D and surface‐passivated 3D/1D devices yield 14.10% and 19.60% PCE, respectively. The bulk‐passivated 3D offers favorable stability, with 84% PCE retained after 2000 h without encapsulation. This study brings a new perspective to the design of organic spacers having a different binding motif and a passivation strategy to mitigate the impact of defects in hybrid 3D/1D perovskite solar cells.

Although zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most commonly used materials for electron transport layers in organic solar cells (OSCs), it also comes with disadvantages such as the so‐called light‐soaking issues, i.e., its need for exposure to UV light to reach its full potential in OSCs. Here, the impact of ZnO light‐soaking issues on stability measurements of OSCs is investigated. It is found that in the absence of UV light a reversible degradation occurs, which is independent of the used active layer material and accelerates at higher temperatures but can be undone with a short UV exposure. This reversible aging is attributed to the re‐adsorption of oxygen, which for manufacturing reasons is trapped at the interface of ZnO, even in an oxygen‐free environment. This oxygen can be removed with a UV pretreatment of the ZnO but at the expense of device efficiency and production that has to take place in an oxygen‐free environment. This study establishes that stability measurements of ZnO‐containing OSCs must be performed exclusively with a light source including a UV part since the usage of a simple white light source – as often reported in the literature – can lead to erroneous results.

Computer science implements algorithms and techniques to automate problem-solving solutions. Due to the chemical versatility of organic building blocks, many organic semiconductors have been utilized for organic solar cells (OSCs). The computational methods can potentially drive experimentalists to discover and design high-performance materials. OSCs' objective is the performance of their energy conversion efficiency and stability. One idea that has improved efficiency and stability is that of ternary systems, known as ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs). The photoactive layer in TOSCs is formed by mixing three distinct components together. This review is about the employment of computational approaches for investigating TOSCs. Here, we outlined the basics of computational methods and standard application procedures. This article offers a concise overview of various computational algorithms, relevant software, and tools. Additionally, it examines the present state of research regarding computations in TOSCs. The challenges associated with TOSCs, including intricacy metrics, diverse chemical structures, and programming skills, are discussed. Furthermore, we suggest some ways to improve the utility of computation in TOSCs research enterprises.

In ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs), three different components are mixed to form the photoactive layer, opening up opportunities to boost the power conversion efficiency — for example, by broadening the absorption range, improving the blend morphology or tuning the exciton splitting and charge extraction. Because of these possibilities, ternary systems are among the best performing OSCs and will have a crucial role in the future of organic photovoltaics. Owing to the interplay of three different components, the mechanisms in TOSCs are complex. Multiple models for those mechanisms currently exist, which differ mainly in the description of the composition dependence of the open-circuit voltage. However, these models are not defined precisely, they are based on narrow presuppositions and they frequently contradict each other. Moreover, although the state of knowledge has evolved since the development of models, new TOSCs are still assigned to them. This Review describes the existing models and concepts, highlights their inconsistencies and summarizes newer results on electronic and morphological properties of TOSCs. Subsequently, the conventional models are revisited in the light of these new insights, with the aim of pointing out existing gaps and providing the stimulus for challenging old concepts.

Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfil ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions worldwide, the global cumulative capacity of solar PVs must increase by an order of magnitude from 0.9 TWp in 2021 to 8.5 TWp by 2050 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is considered to be a highly conservative estimate. In 2020, the Henry Royce Institute brought together the UK PV community to discuss the critical technological and infrastructure challenges that need to be overcome to address the vast challenges in accelerating PV deployment. Herein, we examine the key developments in the global community, especially the progress made in the field since this earlier roadmap, bringing together experts primarily from the UK across the breadth of the photovoltaics community. The focus is both on the challenges in improving the efficiency, stability and levelized cost of electricity of current technologies for utility-scale PVs, as well as the fundamental questions in novel technologies that can have a significant impact on emerging markets, such as indoor PVs, space PVs, and agrivoltaics. We discuss challenges in advanced metrology and computational tools, as well as the growing synergies between PVs and solar fuels, and offer a perspective on the environmental sustainability of the PV industry. Through this roadmap, we emphasize promising pathways forward in both the short- and long-term, and for communities working on technologies across a range of maturity levels to learn from each other.

Conductive carbon pastes are widely used in flexible and printed electronic devices such as wearable electronics and optoelectronics. The use of conductive pastes comes with some challenges, such as replacing toxic synthetic materials with environmentally-friendly and sustainable ones, achieving an appropriate level of electrical conductivity, and controlling the thickness of the coated film. Waterborne conductive carbon pastes have been used to tackle the mentioned problems. In this study, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was introduced as an eco-friendly binder combined with Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) to synthesize a conductive carbon paste without any metallic elements. The double-coated GNP/CNT/CMC paste films were coated on a paper surface using the doctor blade method. Morphological and thermal characteristics, sheet resistance, and optoelectrical properties of the paste films were comprehensively investigated. It was found that the conductive carbon paste containing 35 wt% CNTs exhibits higher conductivity (80.4 S/m) than the other combinations. Moreover, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that GNPs and CNTs are distributed within cellulosic matrix very homogeneously. Great flexibility and high electrical conductivity are achieved in the paste film. EIS results implied that the double-coated paste could act as a highly conductive surface in fabricating electrochemical sensors with high performance. In conclusion, this study represents a novel and environmentally-friendly method to produce low-cost, highly-efficient, and large-scale conductive carbon paste.

Additive and antisolvent engineering strategies are outstandingly efficient in enhancing perovskite quality, photovoltaic performance, and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, an effective approach is applied by coupling the antisolvent mixture and multi-functional additive procedures, which is recognized as antisolvent additive engineering (AAE). The graphene quantum dots functionalized with amide (AGQDs), which consists of carbonyl, amine, and long hydrophobic alkyl chain functional groups, are added to the antisolvent mixture of toluene (T) and hexane (H) as an efficient additive to form the CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPI):AGQDs graded heterojunction structure. A broad range of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, space charge limited current, UV-visible spectroscopy, external quantum efficiency, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, are used to investigate the effect of AAE treatment with AGQDs on the quality of perovskite film and performance of the PSCs. Importantly, not only a uniform and dense perovskite film with hydrophobic property is obtained but also defects on the perovskite surface are significantly passivated by the interaction between AGQDs and uncoordinated Pb2+. As a result, an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.10% is achieved for the champion PSCs treated with AGQD additive, compared to the PCE of 16.00% for untreated reference PSCs. In addition, the high-efficiency PSCs based on AGQDs show high stability and maintain 89% of their initial PCE after 960 h in ambient conditions.

Passivating the defects and grain boundaries (GBs) of perovskite films at the interface by interface engineering is a promising route to achieve efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a new type of graphene, that is, hydrophobic graphene quantum dots (HGQDs) containing amide linkages, which consist of carbonyl and dodecyl amine groups, is successfully used as a bifunctional interface modifier to engineer the interface of the perovskite/hole transport layer. A comprehensive characterization including X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform photocurrent spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and space‐charge‐limited current measurements is performed to identify the underlying passivation mechanisms. It can be demonstrated that the HGQDs, due to the bifunctional groups containing N and O atoms, effectively passivate the uncoordinated Pb2+ ions at the perovskite film surface and GBs and consequently induce a lower trap state density. Moreover, HGQDs enhance the quality of the perovskite film which reduces the charge recombination at the interface. Therefore, the power conversion efficiency of PSCs treated with HGQDs is significantly increased from 16.00% to 18.30%, mainly based on the improved open‐circuit voltage and fill factor. Importantly, the HGQDs featuring hydrophobicity due to alkyl chains significantly enhance moisture stability.

Crystal orientations are closely related to the behavior of photogenerated charge carriers and are vital for controlling the optoelectronic properties of perovskite solar cells. Herein, we propose a facile approach to reveal the effect of lattice plane orientation distribution on the charge carrier kinetics via constructing CsBr-doped mixed cation perovskite phases. With grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements, we investigate the crystallographic properties of mixed perovskite films at the microscopic scale and reveal the effect of the extrinsic CsBr doping on the stacking behavior of the lattice planes. Combined with transient photocurrent, transient photovoltage, and space-charge-limited current measurements, the transport dynamics and recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers are characterized. It is demonstrated that CsBr compositional engineering can significantly affect the perovskite crystal structure in terms of the orientation distribution of crystal planes and passivation of trap-state densities, as well as simultaneously facilitate the photogenerated charge carrier transport across the absorber and its interfaces. This strategy provides unique insight into the underlying relationship between the stacking pattern of crystal planes, photogenerated charge carrier transport, and optoelectronic properties of solar cells.