Fabrication and Characterization of Hybrid Nano-Polymer Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Kelkar ◽  
Satwik Timmavajjala ◽  
Kunal Mitra ◽  
Clayton Baum
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Interfacial Area ◽  
Hybrid Solar Cells ◽  
Inorganic Substances ◽  
Glass Slides ◽  
The Individual

Hybrid solar cells consist of organic as well as inorganic substances. An organic compound absorbs light and transports holes whereas an inorganic compound is an acceptor and transports electrons. Hybrid solar cells were fabricated on glass slides pre-coated with indium tin oxide (ITO) which itself acts as a cathode. Poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene)polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was coated in order to avoid a short circuit between the layers and also to smooth the surface of ITO. A photoactive layer which consisted of poly(3-hexathiophene) (P3HT), TiO2 and star dispersant was coated over the PEDOT:PSS layer. Gold/molybdenum was sputtered as an anode material. Star dispersant was added to the active layer in order to improve the performance of the solar cell. Introduction of star dispersant increases the interfacial area and in turn the exciton dissociation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the thicknesses of the individual layers and also to obtain a topographical view of the cell surface to ensure the uniformity of the deposited layers. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra were measured to characterize the solar cell. Finally, current–voltage characteristics were measured to ensure that the solar cell acts as a diode.

scholarly journals Modeling of High-Efficiency Multi-Junction Polymer and Hybrid Solar Cells to Absorb Infrared Light

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jobeda Khanam ◽  
Simon Foo
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Infrared Light ◽  
Hybrid Solar Cells ◽  
Optical Modeling ◽  
Active Layers

In this paper, we present our work on high-efficiency multi-junction polymer and hybrid solar cells. The transfer matrix method is used for optical modeling of an organic solar cell, which was inspired by the McGehee Group in Stanford University. The software simulation calculates the optimal thicknesses of the active layers to provide the best short circuit current (JSC) value. First, we show three designs of multi-junction polymer solar cells, which can absorb sunlight beyond the 1000 nm wavelengths. Then we present a novel high-efficiency hybrid (organic and inorganic) solar cell, which can absorb the sunlight with a wavelength beyond 2500 nm. Approximately 12% efficiency was obtained for the multi-junction polymer solar cell and 20% efficiency was obtained from every two-, three- and four-junction hybrid solar cell under 1 sun AM1.5 illumination.

scholarly journals Improvement of short circuit current of mono crystalline silicon solar cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
Vu Ngoc Hoang ◽  
Linh Ngoc Tran ◽  
Lan Truong ◽  
Khoa Thanh Nhat Phan ◽  
Chien Mau Dang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Front Surface ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
Antireflection Coatings

In this report we present series of experiments during which the short circuit current of mono crystalline silicon solar cell was improved step by step so as a consequence the efficiency was increased. At first, the front contact of solar cell was optimized to reduce the shadow loss and the series resistance. Then surface treatments were prepared by TMAH solution to reduce the total light reflectance and to improve the light trapping effect. Finally, antireflection coatings were deposited to passivate the front surface either by silicon nitride thin layer or to increase the collection probability by indium tin oxide layer, and to reduce the reflectance of light. As a result, solar cells of about 13% have been obtained, with the average open circuit voltage Voc about 527mV, with the fill factor about 68% and the short circuit current about 7.92 mA/cm2 under the irradiation density of 21 mW/cm2.

Fabrication of Polymer Solar Cells on Flexible Substrate

2013 ◽  
Vol 789 ◽  
pp. 112-117
Author(s):  
Erlyta Septa Rosa ◽  
Shobih Shobih
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Polymer Blends ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Flexible Substrate ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Active Area ◽  
Flexible Polymer

Polymer blends are potential candidates for solar-energy conversion, due to their flexibility, ease of processing, and low costs. We report herein 2.6 cm2 active area of flexible polymer solar cells based on blends of polymeric semiconductor [poly (2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)-(para-phenylene vinylene)] (MDMO-PPV) and the soluble fullerene C60 derivative [6,6 phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl este (PCBM). Devices were prepared by etching an electrode pattern of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) covered on poly [ethylene terephthalat (PET) substrate. A layer of conducting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were screen printed on top of the ITO. Followed by spin coated a polymer blends of MDMO-PPV/PCBM in chlorobenzene onto PEDOT:PSS layer. Finally, evaporation of a silver electrode and PET film lamination completed the devices. The typical overall power efficiency of the prototype devices in an active area of 2.6 cm2 was 0.004 % with open-circuit voltage of 1.473 Volt, short-circuit current of 5.84 x 10-06 Ampere, and maximum power of 2.12 x 10-06 Watt.

Improve Efficiency of Organic Solar Cell by Adding Dispersed ZnO Nanoparticles

2013 ◽  
Vol 842 ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Yang Ming Lu ◽  
Yu Fan Wu ◽  
Lien Chung Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Zno Nanoparticles ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organic Polymer

The poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a promising candidate material for using in polymer solar cells researches due to its good absorbance and stability. In this study, we present the electro-optical performance of organic polymer solar cells based on P3HT: [6,-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) with weight ratio of 1:1. We added ZnO nanoparticles into the blending of P3HT and PCBM to improve the performance of polymer solar cells. ZnO nanoparticles are very promising inorganic metal oxides for use in organic solar cells because of its low cost, nontoxicity, high reflectance and good electron transport properties. The morphology of polymer solar cell was improved due to the additional of ZnO nanoparticles. The effects of thermal annealing on the solar cell had been studied. The post-annealing shows significant improvement in the performance for solar cell. How to prevent ZnO nanoparticles to agglomerate is essential as they are added to the active layer of the solar cell. Well dispersed ZnO nanoparticles are obtained by using the methanol solvent. The best performances of the solar cell with short-circuit current density of 14.66 mW/cm2 and efficiency of 3.92% can be obtained after post-annealed with well being dispersed 1.3wt% ZnO nanoparticles in the active layer.

Influence of the Active Layer Thickness on Non-Fullerene Polymer Solar Cell Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 271 ◽  
pp. 106-111
Author(s):  
Jun Ning ◽  
Ming Ming Bao ◽  
Lian Hong ◽  
Hasichaolu ◽  
Bolag Altan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Spin Coating ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Solar Cell Performance

Research on polymer solar cells has attracted increasing attention in the past few decades due to the advantages such as low cost of fabrication, ease of processing, mechanical flexibility, etc. In recent years, non-fullerene polymer solar cells are extensively studied, because of the reduced voltage losses, and the tunability of absorption spectra and molecular energy level of non-fullerene acceptors. In this work, polymer solar cells based on conjugated polymer (PBDB-T: poly [(2,6-(4,8-bis (5-(2-ethylhexyl) thiophen-2-yl)-benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b’] dithiophene))-alt-(5,5-(1’,3’-di-2-thienyl-5’,7’-bis (2-ethylhexyl) benzo [1’,2’-c:4’,5’-c’] dithiophene-4,8-dione))]) and non-fullerene electron acceptor (ITIC: 3,9-bis (2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone)) -5,5,11,11-tetrakis (4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno [2,3-d:2’,3’-d’]-s-indaceno [1,2-b:5,6-b’] dithiophene) were prepared by means of spin-coating method, and the influence of the active layer thickness on the device performance was investigated. PBDB-T: ITIC active layers with different thickness were prepared through varying spin coating speed. It was found that the solar cell performance is best when the active layer thickness is 100 nm, corresponding to the spin coating speed of 2000 rpm. Maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.25% with fill factor of 65%, open circuit voltage of 0.85 V and short circuit current density of 13.02 Am/cm2 was obtained.

Study of Al/Organic/ITO Polymer Solar Cell on Glass Substrate

2013 ◽  
Vol 448-453 ◽  
pp. 1446-1451
Author(s):  
Yi Tsung Chang ◽  
Jen Hong Su ◽  
Yi Ting Shih ◽  
Yen Lin Shih
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Glass Substrate ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit

A single layer of organic solar cells with the Al/P3HT/PEDOT: PSS/ITO structure on glass substrate was investigated in this paper, and examined the performance of the polymer solar cells by changing 60, 70 and 80 nm thickness of the P3HT active layer. These devices had better absorption in the active layer and poor charges collect in the electrode with increase thickness of active layer were observed. It is found that the best properties that the single layer organic solar cell with open-circuit voltage 0.457 V, short-circuit current 1.05E-4 mA and power conversion efficiency of 3.3E-5% was achieved under illumination 100 mW/cm2 when the thickness of P3HT active layer is about 80 nm.

scholarly journals UV-Ozone Treatment on Cs2CO3Interfacial Layer for the Improvement of Inverted Polymer Solar Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusheng Xin ◽  
Zixuan Wang ◽  
Lu Xu ◽  
Xiaowei Xu ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Annealing Treatment ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Ozone Treatment ◽  
Shunt Resistance ◽  
Uv Ozone

Inverted configuration polymer solar cells (IPSCs) were prepared by using Cs2CO3modified indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates as cathode and MoO3/Al as anode, ITO/Cs2CO3/P3HT:PCBM/MoO3/Al. The interfacial Cs2CO3layers were conducted with annealing treatment and different time UV-Ozone treatment. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of IPSCs was improved to 1% when the UV-Ozone treatment time is 15 minutes, with the open-circuit voltage of 0.48 V, short-circuit current density of 5.4 mA/cm2, and fill factor of 39%. The improvement of IPSCs should be attributed to the increased electron transporting and collection ability of Cs2CO3layer induced by UV-Ozone treatment. The underlying mechanism of PCE improvement was discussed in terms of series and shunt resistance of cells induced by UV-Ozone treatment on Cs2CO3layer, and the mole ratio of Cs to O of Cs2CO3layer with different UV-Ozone treatment was investigated by scanning electron microscopy operating in the mode for in situ energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra.

Degradation of Polymer Solar Cells Based on P3HT:PCBM System

2014 ◽  
Vol 924 ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang Zhong Yu
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Solar Cell Performance ◽  
Deep Traps

The degradation of the performance of the polymer solar cell based on the blend structures system of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is investigated. This study uses UV-vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, charge-transport dark J-V curve chart to explicate the reason for the degradation of the performance of P3HT:PCBM photovoltaic cells. Solar cell performance is degraded primarily through loss in short-circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF), the reduction in the Jsc and FF of the device is most likely to be due to the formation of the charge transfer complex, deep traps and destruction of the-conjugated system in the degraded P3HT:PCBM device. The exposure to oxygen and photo-oxidation lead to the emergence of these factors of the device performance degradation. Keywords: Degradation; Performance; Solar cells; P3HT: PCBM

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of Graphene as a Back Surface Field Layer on the Performance of Cadmium Telluride Solar Cell

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3275
Author(s):  
Devendra KC ◽  
Deb Kumar Shah ◽  
M. Shaheer Akhtar ◽  
Mira Park ◽  
Chong Yeal Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Doping Concentration ◽  
Carrier Lifetime ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Back Surface ◽  
Back Surface Field ◽  
Cdte Solar Cell ◽  
Cdte Solar Cells ◽  
Surface Field

This paper numerically explores the possibility of ultrathin layering and high efficiency of graphene as a back surface field (BSF) based on a CdTe solar cell by Personal computer one-dimensional (PC1D) simulation. CdTe solar cells have been characterized and studied by varying the carrier lifetime, doping concentration, thickness, and bandgap of the graphene layer. With simulation results, the highest short-circuit current (Isc = 2.09 A), power conversion efficiency (h = 15%), and quantum efficiency (QE ~ 85%) were achieved at a carrier lifetime of 1 × 103 ms and a doping concentration of 1 × 1017 cm−3 of graphene as a BSF layer-based CdTe solar cell. The thickness of the graphene BSF layer (1 mm) was proven the ultrathin, optimal, and obtainable for the fabrication of high-performance CdTe solar cells, confirming the suitability of graphene material as a BSF. This simulation confirmed that a CdTe solar cell with the proposed graphene as the BSF layer might be highly efficient with optimized parameters for fabrication.

scholarly journals CdTe-Based Thin Film Solar Cells: Past, Present and Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Alessandro Romeo ◽  
Elisa Artegiani
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

CdTe is a very robust and chemically stable material and for this reason its related solar cell thin film photovoltaic technology is now the only thin film technology in the first 10 top producers in the world. CdTe has an optimum band gap for the Schockley-Queisser limit and could deliver very high efficiencies as single junction device of more than 32%, with an open circuit voltage of 1 V and a short circuit current density exceeding 30 mA/cm2. CdTe solar cells were introduced at the beginning of the 70s and they have been studied and implemented particularly in the last 30 years. The strong improvement in efficiency in the last 5 years was obtained by a new redesign of the CdTe solar cell device reaching a single solar cell efficiency of 22.1% and a module efficiency of 19%. In this paper we describe the fabrication process following the history of the solar cell as it was developed in the early years up to the latest development and changes. Moreover the paper also presents future possible alternative absorbers and discusses the only apparently controversial environmental impacts of this fantastic technology.

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