Alex K.-Y. Jen

Bio: Alex K.-Y. Jen is an academic researcher from City University of Hong Kong. The author has contributed to research in topics: Perovskite (structure) & Polymer solar cell. The author has an hindex of 128, co-authored 921 publications receiving 61811 citations. Previous affiliations of Alex K.-Y. Jen include University of Nebraska–Lincoln & Zhejiang California International NanoSystems Institute.

Organic electro-optic materials: some unique opportunities

Abstract: Recent use of quantum mechanics to guide the improvement of molecular hyperpolarizability and the use of statistical mechanical analysis of the effects of intermolecular electrostatic interactions to improve the acentric ordering of organic chromophores has led to the realization of electro-optic coefficients, r33, greater than 100 pm/V (at telecommunication wavelengths). This material design and development paradigm is likely to lead to further improvement in electro-optic activity, which will in turn facilitate the development of a variety of electro-optic devices with drive (Vπ) voltage requirements of less than one volt. The utility of organic electro-optic materials for development of high bandwidth devices is now well documented. What is less obvious is the utility of organic electro-optic materials for the fabrication of complex (including conformal, flexible, and three-dimensional) device structures. In this communication, we review recent improvements in electro-optic activity; thermal and photochemical stability; and processability of organic electro-optic materials and the use of these materials to fabricate conformal and flexible electro-optic devices and devices based upon single and multiple coupled ring microresonators.

Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Single-Molecule p-n Junctions.

Abstract: We measured photoinduced charge separation in isolated individual C60-tethered 2,5-dithienylpyrrole triad (C60 triad) molecules with submolecular resolution using a custom-built laser-assisted scanning tunneling microscope. Laser illumination was introduced evanescently into the tunneling junction through total internal reflection, and the changes in tunneling current and electronic spectra caused by photoexcitation were measured and spatially resolved. Photoinduced charge separation was not detected for all C60 triad molecules, indicating that the conformations of the molecules may affect the excitation probability, lifetime, and/or charge distribution. A photoinduced signal was not observed for dodecanethiol molecules in the surrounding matrix or for control molecules without C60 moieties, as neither absorbs incident photons at this energy. This spectroscopic imaging technique has the potential to elucidate detailed photoinduced carrier dynamics, which are inaccessible via ensemble-scale (i.e., averagin...

Two-dimensional two-photon absorbing chromophores and solvent effects on their cross-sections

Abstract: A series of 2-dimensional two-photon absorbing chromophores and their 1-dimensional analogs were studied. The influence of the solvents on the linear absorption, photoluminescence and two-photon absorption cross-sections were also examined for these chromophores. The stoke's shift increase with increasing solvent polarity, that can be adequately described by Lippert equation. Two-photon absorption cross sections were measured with femtosecond pulses by the two-photon-induced fluorescence technique. It was observed that two-photon cross-sections were also strongly dependent on the solvents, however no simple correlation with solvent polarity was found in this study. Interestingly, a linear relationship was observed in these chromophores between the molar extinction coefficient and the two-photon cross section when plotted in log-log formats. Understanding of the relationship may provide a better insight of the two-photon absorption processes, and potentially will contribute to the design of highly efficient two-photon absorbing chromophores.

Π-Expanded Carbazoles as Hole-Selective Self-Assembled Monolayers for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

Abstract: Carbazole-derived self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are promising hole-selective materials for inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, they often possess small dipoles which prohibit them from effectively modulating the workfunction of ITO substrate, limiting the PSC photovoltage. Moreover, their properties can be drastically affected by even subtle structural modifications, undermining the final PSC performance. Here, we designed two carbazole-derived SAMs, CbzPh and CbzNaph through asymmetric or helical π-expansion for improved molecular dipole moment and strengthened p-p interaction. The helical π-expanded CbzNaph has the largest dipole, forming densely packed and ordered monolayer, facilitated by the highly ordered assembly observed in its p-scaffold's single crystal. These synergistically modulate the perovskite crystallization atop and tune the ITO workfunction. Consequently, the champion PSC employing CbzNaph showed an excellent 24.1% efficiency and improved stability.

Electron-hole diffusion lengths exceeding 1 micrometer in an organometal trihalide perovskite absorber.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic perovskites have shown promise as high-performance absorbers in solar cells, first as a coating on a mesoporous metal oxide scaffold and more recently as a solid layer in planar heterojunction architectures. Here, we report transient absorption and photoluminescence-quenching measurements to determine the electron-hole diffusion lengths, diffusion constants, and lifetimes in mixed halide (CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x)) and triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite absorbers. We found that the diffusion lengths are greater than 1 micrometer in the mixed halide perovskite, which is an order of magnitude greater than the absorption depth. In contrast, the triiodide absorber has electron-hole diffusion lengths of ~100 nanometers. These results justify the high efficiency of planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells and identify a critical parameter to optimize for future perovskite absorber development.

Electron-Hole Diffusion Lengths Exceeding 1 Micrometer in an Organometal Trihalide Perovskite Absorber

Abstract: Organic-inorganic perovskites have shown promise as high-performance absorbers in solar cells, first as a coating on a mesoporous metal oxide scaffold and more recently as a solid layer in planar heterojunction architectures. Here, we report transient absorption and photoluminescence-quenching measurements to determine the electron-hole diffusion lengths, diffusion constants, and lifetimes in mixed halide (CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x)) and triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite absorbers. We found that the diffusion lengths are greater than 1 micrometer in the mixed halide perovskite, which is an order of magnitude greater than the absorption depth. In contrast, the triiodide absorber has electron-hole diffusion lengths of ~100 nanometers. These results justify the high efficiency of planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells and identify a critical parameter to optimize for future perovskite absorber development.

Interface engineering of highly efficient perovskite solar cells

Abstract: Advancing perovskite solar cell technologies toward their theoretical power conversion efficiency (PCE) requires delicate control over the carrier dynamics throughout the entire device. By controlling the formation of the perovskite layer and careful choices of other materials, we suppressed carrier recombination in the absorber, facilitated carrier injection into the carrier transport layers, and maintained good carrier extraction at the electrodes. When measured via reverse bias scan, cell PCE is typically boosted to 16.6% on average, with the highest efficiency of ~19.3% in a planar geometry without antireflective coating. The fabrication of our perovskite solar cells was conducted in air and from solution at low temperatures, which should simplify manufacturing of large-area perovskite devices that are inexpensive and perform at high levels.

Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar!

Abstract: Ju Mei,†,‡,∥ Nelson L. C. Leung,†,‡,∥ Ryan T. K. Kwok,†,‡ Jacky W. Y. Lam,†,‡ and Ben Zhong Tang*,†,‡,§ †HKUST-Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen 518057, China ‡Department of Chemistry, HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, Division of Biomedical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Guangdong Innovative Research Team, SCUT-HKUST Joint Research Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

High-performance photovoltaic perovskite layers fabricated through intramolecular exchange

Abstract: The band gap of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskites allows broader absorption of the solar spectrum relative to conventional methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3). Because the optoelectronic properties of perovskite films are closely related to film quality, deposition of dense and uniform films is crucial for fabricating high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We report an approach for depositing high-quality FAPbI3 films, involving FAPbI3 crystallization by the direct intramolecular exchange of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) molecules intercalated in PbI2 with formamidinium iodide. This process produces FAPbI3 films with (111)-preferred crystallographic orientation, large-grained dense microstructures, and flat surfaces without residual PbI2. Using films prepared by this technique, we fabricated FAPbI3-based PSCs with maximum power conversion efficiency greater than 20%.