Research Progress on Improving the Photovoltaic Performance of Polymer Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanmin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Buffer Layers ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties

Although polymer materials possess the advantages such as low cost and easy fabrication of flexible and large-scale film for the application in photovoltaic devices, the performance of polymer-based solar cells, especially energy conversion efficiency is inferior to their inorganic counterpart due to the shorter charge diffusion length caused by the comparatively lower electric field between the electrodes. This paper reviewed the strategies to improve their photovoltaic properties mainly concentrated on modifying the polymer materials and ameliorating the device configuration. First, polythiophene (PT), poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV), polyfullerene, and other novel polymer materials were introduced and the effective ways to modify their derivatives with more advantages were described in detail, for instance, copolymerization, incorporating additives and dyes, etc. Furthermore, the content of ameliorating the device configuration encompassed on inverted architecture, tandem structure, the introduction of buffer layers, thermal annealing, and the integration of optimized conditions. Finally, the effects of the improvement methods were concisely summarized, and the perspectives of the future research were put forth.

scholarly journals A Heterojunction Based on Macro-porous Silicon and Zinc Oxide for Solar Cell Application

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mendoza-Agüero ◽  
V. Agarwal ◽  
H. I. Villafán-Vidales ◽  
J. Campos-Alvarez ◽  
P. J. Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Porous Silicon ◽  
Electrical Response ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Buffer Layers ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Solar Cell Application

Transparent and conductive Al doped zinc oxide (AZO) films were reactively sputtered from metallic targets onto macro-porous silicon (MPS) substrate to fabricate a heterojunction interface structure. A tungsten oxide (WO3) thin film was placed between metallic aluminum back contact and bulk silicon to extract photogenerated holes from the absorber. Due to the susceptibility of PS to naturally oxidize over the period of time, a thin film of SiO2 was thermally grown to stabilize the electrical response of the junction. Such thin layer acts as passive film to prevent recombination and is placed between the p-n junction. Photovoltaic properties of this heterojunction were studied by using the current density-voltage (J-V) measurement under AM 1.5 illumination. The experimental results show an increase in photovoltaic performance of AZO/MPS solar cell with a buffer layers of WO3. Such heterostructures are promising for the development of the low-cost, clean, and durable devices with appreciable light-to-electricity conversion efficiency.

scholarly journals Advances in low-cost and nontoxic materials based solar cell devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 2070 (1) ◽  
pp. 012043
Author(s):  
S S Hegde ◽  
K Ramesh
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Resource Constraints ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tin Sulfide ◽  
Next Generation

Abstract Photovoltaics (PV) have become increasingly popular and reached as the third-largest renewable energy source. Thin-film solar cells made from earth-abundant, inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials are needed to replace the current PV technologies whose large-scale applications are limited by material and/or resource constraints. Near optimum direct optical bandgap of 1.3 eV, high absorption coefficient (>104 cm−1), less toxic, and abundant raw resources along with considerable scalability have made tin sulfide (SnS) as a strategic choice for next-generation PVs. In this review, limitations of leading commercial PV technologies and the status of a few alternate low-cost PV materials are outlined. Recent literature on crucial physical properties of SnS thin-films and the present status of SnS thin-film-based solar cells are discussed. Deficiency and adequacy of some of the key properties of SnS including carrier mobility (μ), minority carrier lifetime (τ), and absorption coefficient (α) are discussed in comparison of existing commercial solar cell materials. Future research trends on SnS based solar cells to enhance their conversion efficiencies towards the theoretical maximum of 24% from present ~5% and its prospectus as next-generation solar cell is also discussed.

Influence of Annealing of PCDTBT:PC70BM on the Performance of Polymer Solar Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 748 ◽  
pp. 45-48
Author(s):  
Shi Yan ◽  
Long Feng Lv ◽  
Yan Bing Hou
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Molecular Orbital ◽  
Energy Gap ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Energy Difference ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Donor And Acceptor

Bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ-PSCs) have attracted considerable attention because of their unique advantages of lightweight, low cost, mechanical flexibility and suitable for large-area fabrication [1–3]. In the last decades, much attention has been paid to the donor and acceptor system P3HT:PCBM, However, because of the relatively large bandgap of P3HT (∼1.9 eV) and the relatively small energy difference between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of PCBM and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of P3HT, the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs based on P3HT:PCBM is still significantly lower than the inorganic solar cells. Recently more work has been done on the novel donor materials which have a reduced energy gap with an ability of harvesting more of the sun’s spectral emission and a high charge carriers mobility for charge transport. One of the most promising new donor polymer is poly [N-9"-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3' -benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) with a HOMO level of 5.5eV which is 0.4 eV down-shifted than that of P3HT. When PCDTBT is blended with the fullerene acceptor PC70BM, it showed excellent photovoltaic performance with a power conversion efficiency of ∼ 6%. [6]

Investigation of photovoltaic properties of nanostructure indoline dye-sensitised solar cells using changes in assembling materials

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mozhgan Hosseinnezhad ◽  
Kamaladin Gharanjig
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Dyes ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Ammonium Iodide ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tetrabutyl Ammonium Iodide ◽  
Tetrabutyl Ammonium ◽  
First Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study assembling parameters in dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) performance. For this end, 3a,7a-dihydroxy-5ß-cholanic acid (cheno) are selected as anti-aggregation agent and two solutions, namely, tetrabutyl ammonium iodide and (PMII)IL used as electrolyte. Design/methodology/approach A series of organic dyes were selected using N-substituents carbazole as electron donor group and acrylic acid and cyanoacrylic acid as electron acceptor groups. Absorption properties of purified dyes were studied in solution and on photoelectrode substrate. DSSCs were prepared in the presence of anti-aggregation agent and different electrolyte to determine the photovoltaic performance of each dyes. Findings The results showed that all organic dyes form J-aggregation on the photoanode substrate in the absence of anti-aggregation agent and the amounts of aggregation were reduced in the presence of anti-aggregation agent. DSSCs were fabricated in the presence of anti-aggregation agent. The photovoltaic properties were improved using tetrabutyl ammonium iodide as electrolyte. The maximum power conversion efficiency was achieved for D12 in the presence of cheno and tetrabutyl ammonium iodide as anti-aggregation agent and electrolyte, respectively. Social implications Organic dye attracts more and more attention due to low cost, facile route synthesis and less hazardous. Originality/value The effect of anti-aggregation agent and electrolyte on DSSCs performance was investigated for the first time.

Research Progress of CBD-ZnS Thin-Film Buffer Layer of Solar Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 556-562 ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Ke ◽  
Ting Zhi Liu ◽  
Shu Wang Duo ◽  
Hao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Buffer Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Buffer Layers ◽  
Thin Film Solar Cells ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Large Scale Production

Thin film solar cells (TFSC) are the most potential for development of new and renewable clean energy. The large-scale production and application of TFSC can ease the energy crisis and protect the environment for human. However, buffer layer is a critical layer, which determines the performance of TFSC. This paper reviews the preparation, mechanisms, deposition systems, and development of ZnS thin-film buffer layers and points out that CBD-ZnS thin film is the best buffer layer material taking place of CdS.

Effect of solvent additive on active layer morphologies and photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cells based on PBDTTT-C-T/PC71BM

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (57) ◽  
pp. 51924-51931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Guo ◽  
Maojie Zhang ◽  
Wei Ma ◽  
Shaoqing Zhang ◽  
Jianhui Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Effect Of Solvent ◽  
Active Layers ◽  
Solvent Additive

Photovoltaic properties of polymer solar cells (PSCs) are strongly affected by surface and bulk morphologies of their active layers.

scholarly journals Research Progress on Polymer Solar Cells Based on PEDOT:PSS Electrodes

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Hu ◽  
Jiaxing Song ◽  
Xinxing Yin ◽  
Zhen Su ◽  
Zaifang Li
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Work Function ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Materials Synthesis ◽  
Solution Processed ◽  
Single Junction

Solution-processed polymer solar cells (PSCs) have attracted dramatically increasing attention over the past few decades owing to their advantages of low cost, solution processability, light weight, and excellent flexibility. Recent progress in materials synthesis and devices engineering has boosted the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction PSCs over 17%. As an emerging technology, it is still a challenge to prepare solution-processed flexible electrodes for attractive flexible PSCs. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is one of the most promising candidates for electrodes due to its high conductivity (>4000 S/cm), excellent transmittance (>90%), intrinsically high work function (WF > 5.0 eV), and aqueous solution processability. To date, a great number of single-junction PSCs based on PEDOT:PSS electrodes have realized a PCE over 12%. In this review, we introduce the current research on the conductive complex PEDOT:PSS as well as trace the development of PEDOT:PSS used in electrodes for high performance PSCs and perovskite solar cells. We also discuss and comment on the aspects of conductivity, transmittance, work-function adjustment, film preparing methods, and device fabrications. A perspective on the challenges and future directions in this field is be offered finally.

scholarly journals Effect of Electron-Withdrawing Fluorine and Cyano Substituents on Photovoltaic Properties of Two-Dimensional Quinoxaline-Based Polymers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok Woo Lee ◽  
MD Waseem Hussain ◽  
Sanchari Shome ◽  
Su Ryong Ha ◽  
Jae Taek Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Charge Transport ◽  
Electrochemical Properties ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Strong Electron ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract In this study, strong electron-withdrawing fluorine (F) and cyano (CN) substituents are selectively incorporated into the quinoxaline unit of two-dimensional (2D) D–A-type polymers to investigate their effects on the photovoltaic properties of the polymers. To construct the 2D polymeric structure, electron-donating benzodithiophene and methoxy-substituted triphenylamine are directly linked to the horizontal and vertical directions of the quinoxaline acceptor, respectively. After analyzing the structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of the resultant F- and CN-substituted polymers, labeled as PBCl-MTQF and PBCl-MTQCN, respectively, inverted-type polymer solar cells with a non-fullerene Y6 acceptor are fabricated to investigate the photovoltaic performances of the polymers. It is discovered that the maximum power conversion efficiency of PBCl-MTQF is 7.48%, whereas that of PBCl-MTQCN is limited to 3.10%. This significantly reduced PCE of the device based on PBCl-MTQCN is ascribed to the formation of irregular, large aggregates in the active layer, which can readily aggravate the charge recombination and charge transport kinetics of the device. Therefore, the photovoltaic performance of 2D quinoxaline-based D–A-type polymers is significantly affected by the type of electron-withdrawing substituent.

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