Multilaminate Energy Storage Films from Entropy-Driven Self-Assembled Supramolecular Nanocomposites.

Composite materials comprising polymers and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are promising for energy storage applications, though challenges in controlling NP dispersion often result in performance bottlenecks. Realizing nanocomposites with controlled NP locations and distributions within polymer microdomains is highly desirable for improving energy storage capabilities but is a persistent challenge, impeding the in-depth understanding of the structure-performance relationship. In this study, a facile entropy-driven self-assembly approach is employed to fabricate block copolymer-based supramolecular nanocomposite films with highly ordered lamellar structures, which are then used in electrostatic film capacitors. The oriented interfacial barriers and well-distributed inorganic NPs within the self-assembled multilaminate nanocomposites effectively suppress leakage current and mitigate the risk of breakdown, showing superior dielectric strength compared to their disordered counterparts. Consequently, the lamellar nanocomposite films with optimized composition exhibit high energy efficiency (>90% at 650 MV m-1), along with remarkable energy density and power density. Moreover, finite element simulations and statistical modeling have provided theoretical insights into the impact of the lamellar structure on electrical conduction, electric field distribution, and electrical tree propagation. This work marks a significant advancement in the design of organic-inorganic hybrids for energy storage, establishing a well-defined correlation between microstructure and performance.

High-performing polysulfate dielectrics for electrostatic energy storage under harsh conditions.

High capacity polymer dielectrics that operate with high efficiencies under harsh electrification conditions are essential components for advanced electronics and power systems. It is, however, fundamentally challenging to design polymer dielectrics that can reliably withstand demanding temperatures and electric fields, which necessitate the balance of key electronic, electrical and thermal parameters. Herein, we demonstrate that polysulfates, synthesized by sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) catalysis, another near-perfect click chemistry reaction, serve as high-performing dielectric polymers that overcome such bottlenecks. Free-standing polysulfate thin films from convenient solution processes exhibit superior insulating properties and dielectric stability at elevated temperatures, which are further enhanced when ultrathin (~5 nm) oxide coatings are deposited by atomic layer deposition. The corresponding electrostatic film capacitors display high breakdown strength (>700 MV m-1) and discharged energy density of 8.64 J cm-3 at 150 °C, outperforming state-of-the-art free-standing capacitor films based on commercial and synthetic dielectric polymers and nanocomposites.

Oligo- and polythiophene/ZnO hybrid nanowire solar cells.

We demonstrate the basic operation of an organic/inorganic hybrid single nanowire solar cell. End-functionalized oligo- and polythiophenes were grafted onto ZnO nanowires to produce p-n heterojunction nanowires. The hybrid nanostructures were characterized via absorption and electron microscopy to determine the optoelectronic properties and to probe the morphology at the organic/inorganic interface. Individual nanowire solar cell devices exhibited well-resolved characteristics with efficiencies as high as 0.036%, J(sc) = 0.32 mA/cm(2), V(oc) = 0.4 V, and a FF = 0.28 under AM 1.5 illumination with 100 mW/cm(2) light intensity. These individual test structures will enable detailed analysis to be carried out in areas that have been difficult to study in bulk heterojunction devices.

Solution-processable triindoles as hole selective materials in organic solar cells.

We report the use of two solution-processable triindoles, triazatruxene (TAT), and N-trimethyltriindole (TMTI), as hole selective materials in organic solar cells. The unique optical and electronic properties of these molecules make them suitable as a hole extracting/electron blocking layer, i.e. transparency in the visible region due to a wide bandgap, high LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy level, modest HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) level, and high hole carrier mobility. TAT is shown to have a LUMO at -1.68 eV, a HOMO at -5.03 eV, and a bandgap of 3.35 eV, whereas TMTI has a LUMO at -2.05 eV, a HOMO at -5.1 eV, and a bandgap of 3.05 eV, obtained from cyclic voltammetry measurements and absorption spectroscopy. Planar heterojunction photovoltaic devices, consisting of a solution processed transparent TAT (or TMTI) layer and a vapor-deposited C60 layer, exhibited efficiencies of up to 0.71 % (or 0.87 %). In these bilayer devices, the excitons are primarily generated in the C60 layer and undergo dissociation in the interfaces via hole transfer from the C60 layer to the TAT (or TMTI) layer. Additionally, spin-casting methanol solution of TAT on the top of P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction in an inverted device produced a hole selective interfacial layer between the photoactive layer and anode, leading to a 26% efficiency increase as compared to a control device without the TAT layer.