Kyung Hee University · Engineering
Professor Doo-Hyun Ko's research lab specializes in next-generation organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with a focus on developing multifunctional, smart energy systems for diverse lighting environments. The lab pioneers innovative designs that integrate energy harvesting with energy storage, such as optically controlled smart windows and quaternary blend OPVs, enabling efficient performance under both sunlight and artificial indoor lighting. Key research directions include morphological engineering of non-fullerene acceptor systems to minimize charge recombination and enhance stability, particularly for indoor applications. The lab also explores monolithic integration of photovoltaics with electrochromic supercapacitors to create compact, aesthetically pleasing, and self-sustaining energy platforms.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
An optically controlled energy-harvesting smart window that incorporates a semitransparent solar cell with a photosensitive liquid crystal (LC) layer is demonstrated. The LC layer can switch between a transparent (day mode) and an opaque (night mode) state depending upon the incident solar radiation. Combined with a photovoltaic cell, this window provides a template for future smart window systems.
Abstract Energy‐storing functional photovoltaics, which can simultaneously harvest and store solar energy, are proposed as promising next‐generation multifunction energy systems. For the extension of conventional organic photovoltaics (OPVs), electrochromic supercapacitors (ECSs) are monolithically integrated with semitransparent (ST) quaternary blend‐based OPVs (ST Q‐OPVs) to achieve compact, energy‐efficient storage with great aesthetic appeal. In particular, ST Q‐OPVs with low‐power‐consumpti
Abstract Ternary blend approaches are demonstrated as a universal means to improve overall performance of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) in both indoor and outdoor conditions. A comparative study on two donors:one acceptor (2D:1A) and one donor:two acceptors (1D:2A) ternary blends shows that both approaches are universally effective for indoor and outdoor operation; the 1D:2A devices incorporating a nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) benefit from less charge recombination and higher power conversion effi
Abstract To meet the requirements for indoor organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications, it is imperative to minimize charge recombination loss and enhance photovoltaic performance toward commercially compelling levels. Here, morphological modification in non‐fullerene blends is demonstrated to boost the efficiency and stability of indoor OPVs. For morphological modification, a ternary blend is devised by utilizing two well‐miscible non‐fullerene acceptors, which improve morphological features in t
We demonstrate the improved morphological stability and lifetime of ternary organic solar cells incorporating nonfullerene small molecules in polymer:fullerene blends.
Abstract The unique properties of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) offer great promise in emerging applications such as wearable electronics or the Internet of Things. For their successful utilization, OPV operation should be designed for versatile irradiation circumstances in addition to solar light since they should be capable of providing electric power when there is no sunlight or when they operate indoors. Here, a quaternary OPV (Q‐OPV) as a semitransparent, colorful energy platform that operat
Abstract Narrow bandgap non‐fullerene acceptors (NBG NFAs) are crucial in advancing near‐infrared organic photodetectors (NIR OPDs). However, the polymorphous behavior of NFAs introduces energetic disorder and charge‐trapping sites in the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers, thereby hindering the NIR performance of OPDs. This study demonstrates the design and optimization of the molecular structures of alkyl side chains in NFAs to morphologically address these electrical limitations and shed
Abstract Optimizing the interfacial contacts between the photoactive layer and the electrodes is an important factor in determining the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). A charge‐selective layer with tailored electrical properties enhances the charge collection efficiency and interfacial stability. Here, the potential of hydrogenated TiO 2 nanoparticles (H‐TiO 2 NPs) as an efficient electron‐selective layer (ESL) material in OSCs is reported for the first time. The H‐TiO 2 is synthesize
Abstract Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been integrated with photonic platforms to overcome the intrinsically low quantum efficiency limit of upconversion luminescence (UCL). However, platforms based on thin films lack transferability and flexibility, which hinders their broader and more practical application. A plasmonic structure is developed that works as a multi‐functional platform for flexible, transparent, and washable near‐infrared (NIR)‐to‐visible UCL films with ultra‐strong UCL
Ruthenium incorporated titanium oxides (RuxTiO2) were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method using Ti(SO4)2 and RuCl3 as the precursor of Ti and Ru, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and BET were applied for the analyses of catalysts. Ruthenium atoms are well dispersed in the anatase phase of TiO2 and the crystallite size of RuxTiO2 (≈17 nm) is smaller than
Inverted structure heterojunction colloidal quantum dot (CQD) photovoltaic devices with an improved performance are developed using single‐step coated CQD active layers with a thickness of ≈60 nm. This improved performance is achieved by managing the device architecture to simultaneously enhance charge generation and extraction by raising optical absorption within the depletion region. The devices are composed of an ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PbS‐CQD/ZnO/Al structure, in which the p–n heterojunction is place
Abstract Photochromic molecule‐incorporated optical devices offer desirable properties for photocontrollable optical systems, including advanced optical data storage and super‐resolution imaging. However, these molecules require multiple illumination sources, such as UV and visible light, for reversible photochemical reactions, which restricts their potential for advanced application. This study reports an effective strategy for modulating photoisomerization via a single near‐infrared light sour
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