Grant: Idea to Innovation

This Innov 1A proposal from the funding program Idea to Innovation (I2I) aims at drastically improving the performance/cost ratio of outdoor/ indoor photocells by the continuing the development of low cost and efficient nonfullerene electron acceptors, NFAs, for indoor/ outdoor organic photocells. The novelty stems from the simplicity of the design, thus the low production cost and the better molecular stacking in the solid state, which promotes better charge transports, and ultimately power conversion efficiencies, PCEs. Moreover, this molecular simplicity also generates absorption spectra that match well the indoor illumination. This project is divided in four activities: Milestone 1: laboratory scale synthesis of robust and high purity NFAs. Milestone 2: collection of necessary characterization data prior to designing indoor photocells. Milestone 3: fabrication and testing of photovoltaic cells under outdoor/ indoor conditions (efficiency and stability). Milestone 4: scale up synthesis of the NFAs for commercial purposes. Milestone 1: a series of 18 novel and robust NFAs will be prepared to be tested in outdoor and indoor solar cells (see Milestone 3). Milestone 2: all necessary characteristics will be evaluated. These data are key to select the appropriate conjugated polymer as electron donor to fabricate the active layer to be tested in solar cells. Milestone 3: these new NFAs will be tested by a collaborator G. Sharma using an industrial structure cell design from solution processed bulk heterojunction solar cells, BHJSCs. Based on the PCEs, these tests will dictate which NFAs will be scaled up for eventual commercialization. Milestone 4: the preparation of the best candidates will then be scaled up in two steps: 1) laboratory scale (1 to 2L at UdeS), and then 2) industrial scale towards 10 L (to be performed). Upon scaling up, reaction conditions (quantity, stoichiometry, solvent viscosity, reaction time, temperature, stirring rate) will be optimized, bearing in mind carbon economy and avoiding purification by silica chromatography.