Applications and Prospects of Carbon Dots in Interface Engineering of Organic Solar Cells

WANG Xin, WANG Yu, MU Fumao, YAN Lingpeng, WANG Zhenguo, YANG Yongzhen

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Chem J Chin Univ ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (6) : 47-62. DOI: 10.7503/cjcu20240416
Review

Applications and Prospects of Carbon Dots in Interface Engineering of Organic Solar Cells

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Abstract

Organic solar cells(OSCs) have gradually become a research focus in the photovoltaic field due to their advantages, such as simple fabrication processes, diverse material sources, flexibility, and roll-to-roll production capability. However, as OSCs move toward further commercialization, they face challenges such as improving power conversion efficiency(PCE), scaling up production, reducing costs, and enhancing stability. In addressing these issues, carbon dots(CDs) have garnered widespread attention due to their low cost, diverse structures, environmental friendliness, wide availability, high conductivity, and good stability. In OSC devices, CDs can be used as charge transport layers and interface modification materials, improving the energy level matching and charge transport performance at the cell interface through interface engineering, thereby enhancing the overall performance of OSCs and providing new insights for the development of photovoltaic cells. In this review, the concept, classification, and unique structural features of CDs are introduced. Then, the excellent tunable optoelectronic properties and functionalization modification methods of CDs are highlighted. Furthermore, the application of CDs in the field of interface engineering of OSCs is comprehensively summarized, and finally the challenges associated with CDs-based interface materials in OSCs, along with prospects for their further development, are addressed.

Key words

Organic solar cell / Carbon dots / Interface engineering / Charge transfer / Photoelectric conversion

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WANG Xin , WANG Yu , MU Fumao , et al . Applications and Prospects of Carbon Dots in Interface Engineering of Organic Solar Cells. Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities. 2025, 46(6): 47-62 https://doi.org/10.7503/cjcu20240416

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Funding

the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62404239)
the Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province, China(20210302123164)
the Research and Development Project of Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, China(2022SX-TD012)

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