Organic Photovoltaics: Exploring N-annulated Perylene Diimide Derived Acceptors Through Spin-Coating to Slot-Die Coating for Indoor and Outdoor Applications

Abstract

This thesis is focused on the processing and characterization of thin films of perylene diimide materials, as well as the fabrication and examination of related bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices. The first chapter begins with an introductory overview, explaining the appealing features of perylene diimide materials. It then extends its focus to include organic photovoltaics, explaining the fundamental mechanisms and highlighting the adoptability of perylene diimide materials in this field. Furthermore, it presents examples of N annulation, outlining its essential role and importance in enhancing the thin film properties. Chapter 2 centers on the impact of N annulation on the solid-state properties of various PDI materials, including PDI, tPDI2, PDIN-Hex, and t-PDI2N-Hex. Specifically, this chapter investigates how the characteristics of these materials in thin film influences key parameters in OPV devices. Chapter 3 expands on structural variations on PDIN dimer and studies compounds including tPDI2N-benzyl, tPDI2N-benzylF, and tPDI2N-benzylF5, with the aim of understanding how modifications to the side chains of PDI dimers affect solid-state morphology and, consequently, organic photovoltaic performance. In Chapter 4, the modification of side chains is extended to include tPDI2N-Glycol, tPDI2N-TriAlkoxyBenzyl, tPDI2MesitylBenzyl, and tPDI2N-EthylAdamantane, with the goal of optimizing specific device parameters crucial for practical applications, such as indoor organic photovoltaics. A scalable approach is employed in this chapter to address challenges related to the transition from laboratory-scale processes to industrial-scale applications, setting the stage for work in the subsequent chapter. To address additional scalability factors, Chapter 5 reexamines the utilization of monomers, employing PDIN-EH to attain enhanced scalability. The emphasis is placed on scalable materials and coating techniques alike, with slot-die coating serving a crucial role in facilitating the transition from laboratory-scale processes to industrial-viable applications.