TCAD Device Simulation of All-Polymer Solar Cells for Indoor Applications: Potential for Tandem vs. Single Junction...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Photovoltaics

Background:

• Indoor photovoltaics can harvest energy from artificial light.
• While single-junction indoor solar cells perform well with LEDs, tandem structures require further investigation.
• All-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) offer potential for indoor energy harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first systematic TCAD simulation of tandem all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) for indoor applications.
• To evaluate the performance of all-PSCs under both standard solar radiation and indoor LED lighting conditions.
• To propose design strategies for optimizing tandem all-PSCs for indoor energy harvesting.

Main Methods:

• Utilized TCAD simulations to model standalone and tandem all-PSCs based on experimental polymer blends (PM7:PIDT and PM6:PY-IT).
• Calibrated simulation models using experimental data under AM1.5G solar radiation.
• Assessed cell performance under white LED environments with varying color temperatures and light intensities.

Main Results:

• Simulated PCEs of 10.11% (front), 16.50% (rear), and 17.58% (tandem) under AM1.5G.
• Tandem all-PSCs showed performance deterioration under indoor LED light (16.22% PCE at 2900 K).
• Optimized indoor tandem all-PSCs achieved a 27.80% PCE at 2900 K by adjusting absorber layer thicknesses for current matching.

Conclusions:

• Tandem all-PSCs designed for outdoor conditions are not suitable for indoor applications.
• Optimizing absorber layer thicknesses is crucial for achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in indoor tandem all-PSCs.
• Tailored tandem all-PSC designs can significantly enhance indoor energy harvesting from artificial light sources.