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We study the structural development of complex soft materials to elucidate their processing-structure-function relationships for optoelectronics and energy applications.

Research Spotlight

Perovskite Solar Cells: Extending the Photovoltaic Response of Perovskite Solar Cells into the Near‐Infrared with a Narrow‐Bandgap Organic Semiconductor

We demonstrate a near‐infrared‐harvesting perovskite solar cell with enhanced power‐conversion efficiency as high as 21.6% and improved stability, with an operational half‐life of 1900 h, by directly incorporating a multifunctional organic semiconductor that both extends light absorption and passivates defects in the perovskite active layers. This work provides a promising approach to prepare highly efficient and stable perovskites solar cells and opens a new application field for the rational design of narrow‐bandgap organic semiconductors.

Assessing the Huang-Brown Description of Tie Chains for Charge Transport in Conjugated Polymers

Tie chains electrically bridge crystalline domains in semiconducting polymers, effectively reducing interdomain resistance and improving charge transport. In this work, we quantified the tie-chain fraction through a classical polymer–physics framework and established the percolation threshold for charge transport in poly(3-hexylthiophene)s.

Pairing of Near-UV Solar Cells with Electrochromic Windows for Smart Management of the Solar Spectrum

The various wavelengths of the solar spectrum can be exploited for different functionalities. We have developed an organic solar cell that harvests near-ultraviolet photons to power an electrochromic device that controls how many photons go through a smart window in other wavelength ranges, adjusting both visible light and heat ingress.

High Performance OTFTs Fabricated Using a Calamitic Liquid Crystalline Material of 2-(4-Dodecyl phenyl)[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene]

In collaboration with researchers at Peking University at Shenzhen, we recently demonstrated high performance organic thin-film transistors with high thermal stability that incorporate an air-stable calamitic liquid crystalline molecular semiconductor.

Research Spotlight archive

News

Elizabeth Wall, CBE, joins the group as a graduate student - welcome!

Thursday, February 02, 2023

Xiaoming Zhao published in Science a perovskite solar cell with record breaking stability, and an accelerated testing method that allows quantification. Check out the press release. Congratulations!

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Xiaoming Zhao's collaboration with NREL scientists appears in Science. Congratulations!

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Xiaoming has been selected as a recipient of a 2021 Blavatnik Regional Award for Young Scientists. Congratulations!

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

News archive