We aim to develop air-stable high mobility (>0.1 cm^2/Vs) electron transporting (n-channel) organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) employing soluble fullerene derivatives. The main motivation for developing n-channel OFETs is that they enable complementary circuit design, a vital ingredient for the fabrication of the next generation large-scale, low-power, high-performance organic integrated circuits. As our material workhorse we choose the family of fullerenes due to their record-breaking electron mobility (~6 cm2/Vs). Emphasis is placed on soluble derivatives due to their processing advantage for large-area, low manufacturing cost applications. The novelty of the proposed work originates from our recent study where the first solution-processed, air-stable n-channel fullerene transistors have been demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this unique combination of solubility, ambient stability and electron transporting character has only been demonstrated previously in two organic molecules and can be considered as a significant breakthrough. The subject of the proposed work is very topical with huge technological importance in the area of organic electronics and it is anticipated to have significant impact both in academic research and industrial R&D worldwide.

Solid state lead halide perovskites have recently emerged as the latest thin-film photovoltaic device class. High power conversion efficiencies (22 %) and stabilities (> 1000 hours at 80 ˚C under 1 sun illumination) have been obtained using lab scale processes and small area cells (<1cm2). The building blocks of the perovskite materials are very low cost and the processing into the final perovskite thin-film can be achieved with low temperature fast processes. This makes these materials very cost efficient, and promises to deliver a future PV technology with a levelled cost of electricity (LCOE) below that of existing mainstream PV. There has been much advancement with combining perovskite with silicon cells, to deliver a “tandem” junction cell with much higher efficiency than either sub-cell. Although this perovskite-on-silicon approach is likely to deliver the first perovskite PV products, it restricts the manufacturing and module format to wafer based, and hence misses out on the real promise of ultimate high volume manufacturing via large area sheet-to-sheet or reel-to-reel coating. Within PERTPV we will advance the perovskite thin-film PV technology to the next level by undertaking a “double pronged” drive on both performance (efficiency and stability) and the development of scalable device and module fabrication methodologies, compatible with high volume manufacturing. Our consortium consists of the leading academic groups in perovskite PV research, in addition to research companies, and 3 commercial partners at appropriately complementary stages in the value chain (Technology driver, materials supplier and equipment supplier). In addition to our ambitions target of surpassing 30% power conversion efficiency in a thin film all-perovskite tandem cell, and delivering a certifiably stable module technology, we will also perform full life cycle analysis and ensure a safe means to undertake mass deployment and recycling of the Perovskite PV modules.