biostudies-literatureKang JHKorea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and PlanningKyung Hee UniversityNational Research Foundation of Korea20670-20676https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9065808biostudies-literatureUnknown9(36)We have investigated a series of non-conjugated polyelectrolytes (NPEs) which are based on a polyethylenimine (PEI) backbone with various counterions, such as Br^- I^- and BIm₄ ^-, as interfacial layers at the electrodes of solar cells and transistor devices to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device performance. This new series of NPEs with different counterions are capable of forming electric dipoles at NPE/metal electrode interfaces; as a consequence tuning of the energy levels, and work function (WF) of the electrodes is possible. Using this approach, the PCE of organic solar cells could be improved from 1.05% (without NPEs) to 6.77% (with NPEs) while the charge carrier mobility and on/off ratio of FET devices could be improved,RSC advancesEffect of counter-ions on the properties and performance of non-conjugated polyelectrolyte interlayers in solar cell and transistor devices.PMC90658082018M3C1B90884572019 Busan Open Lab Program2017R1A2B20129712017R1C1B1010627KHU-20181297Yi YChung KBSeo JHPark YJSong AKang JHWalker BCha MJfalseEffect of counter-ions on the properties and performance of non-conjugated polyelectrolyte interlayers in solar cell and transistor devices.We have investigated a series of non-conjugated polyelectrolytes (NPEs) which are based on a polyethylenimine (PEI) backbone with various counterions, such as Br^- I^- and BIm₄ ^-, as interfacial layers at the electrodes of solar cells and transistor devices to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device performance. This new series of NPEs with different counterions are capable of forming electric dipoles at NPE/metal electrode interfaces; as a consequence tuning of the energy levels, and work function (WF) of the electrodes is possible. Using this approach, the PCE of organic solar cells could be improved from 1.05% (without NPEs) to 6.77% (with NPEs) while the charge carrier mobility and on/off ratio of FET devices could be improved,2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2025-04-18T14:13:28.73Z2025-04-04T20:21:52.768ZS-EPMC90658083551553910.1039/c9ra04299g