Nanodiamonds as Charge Extraction Layer in Organic Solar Cells: The Impact of the Nanodiamond Surface Chemistry

Diamond nanoparticles so-called nanodiamonds (NDs) have recently experienced raising scientific interest due to interesting optical and electronic properties, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, large surface area. Another significant feature of NDs is the versatility chemistry, where various functional groups can be attached. This provides an excellent platform for adjusting properties functions many applications including in photovoltaic devices. Herein, we test high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) as charge extraction material organic solar cells (OSCs) using chemistries: as-received (HPHT ND-ar), oxidized ND-O), hydrogenated ND-O-H) NDs. Despite high work function (WF) values (∽ 5.3 eV) HPHT ND-ar ND-O, which makes these materials normally suitable hole extraction, devices made with them failed. On other hand, decreases upon hydrogenation 4.5 beforehand NDs, making electron extraction. By employing such ND-O-H layers, PBDB-T:ITIC based reached 77%, while PM6:Y6 even 85% performance when processed on standard ZnO ETLs. Improvement film-forming qualities this new expected further improve performance. article protected by copyright. All rights reserved.