Next-Generation Solar Cells with Sulfur-Fused Perylene Diimides for Enhanced Efficiency

Introduction

As the global demand for clean, sustainable energy grows, the need for more efficient solar cells has never been more pressing. Current solar technologies, while improving, still face limitations in energy conversion efficiency, material durability, and cost-effectiveness. Our patented design concept leverages sulfur-fused helical perylene diimides to create advanced solar cells that push the boundaries of performance, delivering higher efficiency without the increased costs associated with traditional materials. This innovation offers solar energy providers and manufacturers an opportunity to improve both commercial and residential solar panel solutions.

The Limits of Existing Solar Materials

Conventional solar cell technologies, such as silicon-based panels, have reached their practical efficiency limits, typically converting around 20-25% of sunlight into usable energy. Although they are widely used, these systems often suffer from inefficiencies that limit their effectiveness in capturing and converting light, particularly in suboptimal conditions like low-light environments. Additionally, the high costs associated with silicon processing and manufacturing remain a barrier to widespread adoption, particularly in developing markets or large-scale deployments.

The need for more cost-effective, highly efficient solar materials is paramount, particularly as industries and governments push toward greater reliance on renewable energy sources.

Sulfur-Fused Perylene Diimides: A Leap Forward in Solar Efficiency

Our patented design for solar cells utilizing sulfur-fused helical perylene diimides introduces a breakthrough material that enhances energy conversion efficiency while offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional silicon-based systems. Perylene diimides are known for their excellent light-absorbing properties and chemical stability, and our design fuses sulfur atoms into the structure to improve electronic properties and increase charge mobility. This results in more efficient light capture and energy conversion, particularly in lower light environments.

This material’s enhanced performance can significantly improve the overall efficiency of solar panels, making them more effective in generating energy even in cloudy or low-light conditions. Additionally, sulfur-fused perylene diimides are more cost-efficient to produce, making them a viable option for both small-scale and large-scale solar projects.

Key Benefits

Higher Energy Conversion: The innovative material design improves solar cell efficiency, particularly in suboptimal light conditions.
Cost-Effective Manufacturing: Perylene diimides offer a more affordable production process compared to traditional silicon-based cells.
Durability and Stability: The material’s chemical stability ensures longer-lasting performance in solar panels.
Versatile Applications: Suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial solar energy projects.

Powering the Future with High-Efficiency Solar Materials

Licensing this solar cell technology provides companies in the renewable energy sector with a cutting-edge material solution that enhances solar panel efficiency and reduces costs. With its potential to significantly improve the performance of solar energy systems, this innovation is a key tool in advancing global sustainability efforts and meeting the increasing demand for clean energy solutions.

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Abstract
Claims

Sulfur-fused perylene diimides (PDIs) having the formula 2PDI-nS, wherein n is an integer. Such sulfur-fused PDIs (e.g., 2PDI-2S, 2PDI-3S, and 2PDI-4S) are incorporated as electron acceptors in an active region of a bulk heterojunction solar cell and/or as an electron transport layer. Example solar cells exhibit a power conversion efficiency above 5% and a fill factor above 70% (a record high for non-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cell devices) when 2PDI-nS is used as the electron acceptor. In addition, the solar cells exhibit low open circuit voltage (V_oc) loss.

What is claimed is:

1. A composition of matter, comprising:

a compound including fused perylene diimides (PDIs) having the structure:

wherein the R are independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a solubilizing chain, and

wherein, in each of the compounds comprising X, at least one X is S-S, the other X is S or S-S, R′ is nothing, Y is C, Si, or Ge; Z is N or P; R₁to R₁₆are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group (R₁to R₁₆can be the same or different); R₂₁is nothing, an alkylene group, or an arylene group; R₂₃is a trivalent aliphatic or a trivalent aromatic group; the R₂₄are each independently a tetravalent aliphatic group or a tetravalent aromatic group; n=0 to 10; and

if a substituent (Y, Z, R, R′, R₁-R₂₄) occurs more than one time in a compound, it can be different or the same in each occurrence.

2. The composition of matter of claim 1, wherein the compound comprises 2PDI-3S.

3. The composition of matter of claim 1, wherein the compound comprises 2PDI-4S.

4. A device comprising the composition of matter of claim 1 combined with a donor molecule, wherein the fused PDIs are electron acceptors.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the donor molecule is at least one compound selected from PTB7-Th or from the list of compounds illustrated in FIGS. 28A-28D.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is a solar cell having an active region including the fused PDIs combined with the donor molecule.

7. A device comprising the composition of matter of claim 1, further comprising an electron transport layer including the fused PDIs.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic radiation absorbing active region coupled to the electron transport layer, wherein the active region comprises an organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (PVSK).

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is a solar cell having a fill factor exceeding 57%.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the solar cell has a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of at least 11%, and

an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of greater than 70%,

when the active region of the solar cell absorbs the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range of 350-750 nm under 1 Sun irradiation.

11. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is a photodetector having a sensing element comprising the fused PDIs combined with the donor molecule.

12. A device comprising the composition of matter of claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises an active layer or electron transport layer comprising the fused PDIs, and

the active layer or the electron transport layer is amorphous and has a mobility greater than 10⁻²cm²/Vs.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is an n-type field effect transistor.

14. A solar cell device, comprising:

an anode;

an anode interface/hole transport layer on the anode;

an electron transport layer comprising a compound having at least one structure selected from:

wherein:

the R are independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a solubilizing chain;

in each structure comprising X, at least one X is S-S, the other X is S or S-S, R′ is nothing, Y is C, Si, or Ge; Z is N or P; R₁to R₁₆are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group (R₁to R₁₆can be the same or different); R₂₁is nothing, an alkylene group, or an arylene group; R₂₃is a trivalent aliphatic or a trivalent aromatic group; the R₂₄are each independently a tetravalent aliphatic group or a tetravalent aromatic group; n=0 to 10; and

if a substituent (Y, Z, R, R′, R₁-R₂₄) occurs more than one time in a compound, it can be different or the same in each occurrence;

a cathode on the electron transport layer;

an active absorbing region between the electron transport layer and the anode interface/hole transport layer, the active absorbing region comprising an organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (PVSK), wherein, in response to electromagnetic radiation absorbed in the PVSK, the active absorbing region:

outputs electrons through the electron transport layer to the cathode, and

outputs holes through the hole interface/hole transport layer to the anode, so as to generate electric power.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the compound comprises 2PDI-3S.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the compound comprises 2PDI-4S.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the compound in the electron transport layer has a composition such that a power conversion efficiency (PCE), short circuit current (J_SC) and/or fill factor (FF) of the device do not decrease after 400 hours of continuous operation of the device under 1 Sun illumination, as compared to after 1 minute of operation.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the electron transport layer has a composition such that the PCE, J_SCand/or fill factor of the device increase after the 400 hours of continuous operation, as compared to after 1 minute of operation.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the electron transport layer has a composition such that the PCE, J_SCand/or fill factor of the device increase after the device is heated to at least 100 degrees Celsius.

20. A method of making a composition of matter, comprising:

obtaining a diimide; and

reacting the diimide with sulfur to obtain a compound including fused perylene diimides (PDIs) having the structure :