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arXiv · 2105.01024

Tin(II) thiocyanate Sn(SCN)$_2$ as an ultrathin anode interlayer in organic photovoltaics

Abstract

We report the application of a coordination polymer semiconductor, tin(II) thiocyanate [Sn(SCN)$_2$] as an ultrathin anode interlayer in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Sub-10 nm layers of Sn(SCN)$_2$ with high smoothness and excellent transparency having an optical band gap of 3.9 eV were deposited from an alcohol-based solution at room temperature without post-deposition annealing. Inserting Sn(SCN)$_2$ as an anode interlayer in polymer:fullerene OPVs drastically reduces the recombination loss due to the exciton-blocking energy levels of Sn(SCN)$_2$. At the optimum thickness of 7 nm, an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.6% and a maximum of 8.1% were obtained. The simple processability using common solvents gives Sn(SCN)$_2$ a distinct advantage over the more well-known copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN). The electronic and optical properties of Sn(SCN)$_2$ make it interesting for applications in large-area electronic devices.

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Jidapa Chaopaknam, Chayanit Wechwithayakhlung, Hideki Nakajima, Tossaporn Lertvanithphol, Mati Horprathum, Taweesak Sudyoadsuk, Vinich Promarak, Akinori Saeki, Pichaya Pattanasattayavong. 2021-05-03. Tin(II) thiocyanate Sn(SCN)$_2$ as an ultrathin anode interlayer in organic photovoltaics. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0055649

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