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Fabrication Processes to Generate Concentration Gradients in Polymer Solar Cell Active Layers
1Department of Engineering Science, University of Electro-Communications, Chofu 182-8585, Japan. sys.1101.n1@gmail.com.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 5, 2017
Summary
Polymer solar cells (PSCs) achieve higher efficiencies by controlling material distribution. Optimizing vertical concentration gradients in active layers significantly boosts photovoltaic performance and fill factors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Polymer solar cells (PSCs) are a promising low-cost renewable energy source.
- Current PSCs achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) over 10% through advanced materials and morphology control.
- Vertical concentration gradients of electron-donor (ED) and electron-acceptor (EA) materials enhance charge collection and photovoltaic parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review processes for creating ED-EA vertical concentration gradients in PSC active layers.
- To evaluate the impact of these gradients on fill factor and PCE.
- To explore the potential of sequential deposition for high-performance PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Summarizing gradient formation in single-layer active layers (annealing, additives).
- Analyzing sequential deposition of multilayered active layers.
- Investigating inverted architecture PSC fabrication.
Main Results:
- Vertical concentration gradients improve charge collection and photovoltaic parameters.
- Sequential deposition of multilayered active layers effectively increases fill factor and PCE.
- Optimized gradients are crucial for enhanced PSC performance.
Conclusions:
- Controlling vertical concentration gradients is key to improving PSC efficiency.
- Sequential deposition offers an efficient route to high-performance PSCs.
- This approach can lead to low-cost, high-efficiency, and stable devices for renewable energy applications.
