Influence of pH-Neutral Lithium Polystyrenesulfonate Polyelectrolyte on the Energy Band Structure and Performance of Organic Solar Cells

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) : polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is used ubiquitously in organic solar cells (OSCs) devices, however, it is not clear how the anionic PSS component by itself affects the band structure...

Modeling of optical characteristics of organic solar cells based on poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate with incorporated silver nanoparticles

Changing the geometric parameters of the elements of the organic solar cell (OSC) and its components, changes in its optical characteristics such as reflection, absorption and transmission of light were studied. In the simulation, the main elements influencing the change in the characteristics of the OSC were poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS), poly (3-hexylthiophene): [6,6] phenyl-C61butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) on silver nanoparticles. The dimensions of silver nanoparticles coincide with the thickness of the PEDOT layer (50 nm) in which they are located, the particle diameter is 45 nm, the thickness of the P3HT: PCBM layer has always remained equal to 100 nm. The peak at a wavelength of about 726 nm, when there are silver particles in the OSC, indicates the presence of localized surface plasmon resonance (LPPR), which causes a local amplification of the electromagnetic field near the surface of metal nanoparticles. LPPR induced by silver nanoparticles not only increases the degree of light absorption, but also enhances the degree of exciton dissociation. As a result, photocurrent and overall OSC efficiency can be significantly improved due to LPPR.

PEDOT:PSS-Modified Cotton Conductive Thread for Mass Manufacturing of Textile-Based Electrical Wearable Sensors by Computerized Embroidery

The textile industry has advanced processes that allow computerized manufacturing of garments at large volumes with precise visual patterns. The industry, however, is not able to mass fabricate clothes with seamlessly integrated wearable sensors, using its precise methods of fabrication (such as computerized embroidery). This is due to the lack of conductive threads compatible with standard manufacturing methods used in industry. In this work, we report a low-cost poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)-modified cotton conductive thread (PECOTEX) that is compatible with computerized embroidery. The PECOTEX was produced using a crosslinking reaction between PEDOT:PSS and cotton thread using divinyl sulfone as the crosslinker. We extensively characterized and optimized our formulations to create a mechanically robust conductive thread that can be produced in large quantities in a roll-to-roll fashion. Using PECOTEX and a domestic computerized embroidery machine, we produced a series of wearable electrical sensors including a facemask for monitoring breathing, a t-shirt for monitoring heart activity and textile-based gas sensors for monitoring ammonia as technology demonstrators. PECOTEX has the potential to enable mass manufacturing of new classes of low-cost wearable sensors integrated into everyday clothes.