1
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Ko Y, Park H, Lee C, Kang Y, Jun Y. Recent Progress in Interconnection Layer for Hybrid Photovoltaic Tandems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2002196. [PMID: 33048400 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid tandem solar cells offer the benefits of low cost and full solar spectrum utilization. Among the hybrid tandem structures explored to date, the most popular ones have four (simple stacking design) or two (terminal/tunneling layer addition design) terminal electrodes. Although the latter design is more cost-effective than the former, its widespread application is hindered by the difficulty of preparing an interface between two solar cell materials. The oldest approach to the in-series bonding of two or more bandgap solar cells relies on the introduction of a tunneling layer in multijunction III-V solar cells, but it has some limitations, e.g., the related materials/technologies are applicable only to III-V and certain other solar cells. Thus, alternative methods of realizing junction contacts based on the use of novel materials are highly sought after. Here, the strategies used to realize high-performance tandem cells are described, focusing on interface control in terms of bonding two or more solar cells for tandem approaches. The presented information is expected to aid the establishment of ideal methods of connecting two or more solar cells to obtain the highest performance for different solar cell choices with minimized energy loss through the interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohan Ko
- Graduate School of Energy and Environment (KU-KIST Green School), Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - HyunJung Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Chanyong Lee
- Graduate School of Energy and Environment (KU-KIST Green School), Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonmook Kang
- Graduate School of Energy and Environment (KU-KIST Green School), Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongseok Jun
- Graduate School of Energy and Environment (KU-KIST Green School), Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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2
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Xia Y, Pan Y, Zhang H, Qiu J, Zheng Y, Chen Y, Huang W. Graphene Oxide by UV-Ozone Treatment as an Efficient Hole Extraction Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Polymer Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:26252-26256. [PMID: 28718618 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b05422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The hole extraction layer has a significant impact on the achievement of high-efficiency polymer solar cells (PSCs). Here, we report an efficient approach to direct UV-ozone treatment by larger device performance enhancement employing graphene oxide (GO). The dramatic performance enhancement of PSCs with the P3HT:PCBM blend as an active layer was demonstrated by the UV-ozone treatment of GO for 30 min: best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.18%, fill factor of 0.63, Jsc of 10.94 mA cm-2, and Voc of 0.61 V, which are significantly higher than those of the untreated GO (1.82%) and highly comparable PEDOT:PSS-based PSCs (3.73%). In addition, PSCs with UV-ozone-treated GO showed a longer stability than PSCs with PEDOT:PSS. The significant enhancement of PCEs of PSCs can be attributed to the fact that ozone molecules can oxidize GO into CO2 and leave highly conductive graphene particles. We suggest that this simple UV-ozone treatment can provide an efficient method for highly efficient GO hole extraction in high-performance PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics & Information Displays and IAM, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications , 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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3
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Kim T, Palmiano E, Liang RZ, Hu H, Murali B, Kirmani AR, Firdaus Y, Gao Y, Sheikh A, Yuan M, Mohammed OF, Hoogland S, Beaujuge PM, Sargent EH, Amassian A. Hybrid tandem quantum dot/organic photovoltaic cells with complementary near infrared absorption. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS 2017; 110:223903. [PMID: 28652643 PMCID: PMC5453788 DOI: 10.1063/1.4984023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Monolithically integrated hybrid tandem solar cells that effectively combine solution-processed colloidal quantum dot (CQD) and organic bulk heterojunction subcells to achieve tandem performance that surpasses the individual subcell efficiencies have not been demonstrated to date. In this work, we demonstrate hybrid tandem cells with a low bandgap PbS CQD subcell harvesting the visible and near-infrared photons and a polymer:fullerene-poly (diketopyrrolopyrrole-terthiophene) (PDPP3T):[6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM)-top cell absorbing effectively the red and near-infrared photons of the solar spectrum in a complementary fashion. The two subcells are connected in series via an interconnecting layer (ICL) composed of a metal oxide layer, a conjugated polyelectrolyte, and an ultrathin layer of Au. The ultrathin layer of Au forms nano-islands in the ICL, reducing the series resistance, increasing the shunt resistance, and enhancing the device fill-factor. The hybrid tandems reach a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.9%, significantly higher than the PCE of the corresponding individual single cells, representing one of the highest efficiencies reported to date for hybrid tandem solar cells based on CQD and polymer subcells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesoo Kim
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elenita Palmiano
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Ru-Ze Liang
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanlin Hu
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Banavoth Murali
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad R Kirmani
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yuliar Firdaus
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yangqin Gao
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Sheikh
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mingjian Yuan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Omar F Mohammed
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sjoerd Hoogland
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Pierre M Beaujuge
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Edward H Sargent
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Aram Amassian
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), and Physical Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Yin Z, Wei J, Zheng Q. Interfacial Materials for Organic Solar Cells: Recent Advances and Perspectives. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2016; 3:1500362. [PMID: 27812480 PMCID: PMC5067618 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201500362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Organic solar cells (OSCs) have shown great promise as low-cost photovoltaic devices for solar energy conversion over the past decade. Interfacial engineering provides a powerful strategy to enhance efficiency and stability of OSCs. With the rapid advances of interface layer materials and active layer materials, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of both single-junction and tandem OSCs have exceeded a landmark value of 10%. This review summarizes the latest advances in interfacial layers for single-junction and tandem OSCs. Electron or hole transporting materials, including metal oxides, polymers/small-molecules, metals and metal salts/complexes, carbon-based materials, organic-inorganic hybrids/composites, and other emerging materials, are systemically presented as cathode and anode interface layers for high performance OSCs. Meanwhile, incorporating these electron-transporting and hole-transporting layer materials as building blocks, a variety of interconnecting layers for conventional or inverted tandem OSCs are comprehensively discussed, along with their functions to bridge the difference between adjacent subcells. By analyzing the structure-property relationships of various interfacial materials, the important design rules for such materials towards high efficiency and stable OSCs are highlighted. Finally, we present a brief summary as well as some perspectives to help researchers understand the current challenges and opportunities in this emerging area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences 155 Yangqiao Road West Fuzhou Fujian 350002 P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences 155 Yangqiao Road West Fuzhou Fujian 350002 P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 P. R. China
| | - Qingdong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter Chinese Academy of Sciences 155 Yangqiao Road West Fuzhou Fujian 350002 P. R. China
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Tan H, Furlan A, Li W, Arapov K, Santbergen R, Wienk MM, Zeman M, Smets AHM, Janssen RAJ. Highly Efficient Hybrid Polymer and Amorphous Silicon Multijunction Solar Cells with Effective Optical Management. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:2170-2177. [PMID: 26780260 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201504483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Highly efficient hybrid multijunction solar cells are constructed with a wide-bandgap amorphous silicon for the front subcell and a low-bandgap polymer for the back subcell. Power conversion efficiencies of 11.6% and 13.2% are achieved in tandem and triple-junction configurations, respectively. The high efficiencies are enabled by deploying effective optical management and by using photoactive materials with complementary absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairen Tan
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Alice Furlan
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Weiwei Li
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Organic Solids Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Kirill Arapov
- Laboratory of Materials and Interface Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rudi Santbergen
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn M Wienk
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research, De Zaale 20, 5612, AJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Miro Zeman
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Arno H M Smets
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - René A J Janssen
- Molecular Materials and Nanosystems and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600, MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research, De Zaale 20, 5612, AJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Tayebjee MJY, McCamey DR, Schmidt TW. Beyond Shockley-Queisser: Molecular Approaches to High-Efficiency Photovoltaics. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:2367-78. [PMID: 26266619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Molecular materials afford abundant flexibility in the tunability of physical and electronic properties. As such, they are ideally suited to engineering low-cost, flexible, light-harvesting materials that break away from the single-threshold paradigm. Single-threshold solar cells are capable of harvesting a maximum of 33.7% of incident sunlight, whereas two-threshold cells are capable of energy harvesting efficiencies exceeding 45%. In this Perspective, we provide the theoretical background with which upper efficiency limits for various multiple-threshold solar cell architectures may be calculated and review and discuss various reports that employ processes such as triplet-triplet annihilation and singlet fission in multiple-threshold devices comprised of molecular materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murad J Y Tayebjee
- †School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, ‡School of Physics, and ¶School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Dane R McCamey
- †School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, ‡School of Physics, and ¶School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Timothy W Schmidt
- †School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, ‡School of Physics, and ¶School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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7
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Keshtov M, Sharma G, Kuklin S, Ostapov I, Godovsky D, Khokhlov A, Chen F. Synthesis and characterization of two new benzothiadiazole- and fused bithiophene based low band-gap D–A copolymers: Application as donor bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. POLYMER 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2015.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Filipič M, Löper P, Niesen B, De Wolf S, Krč J, Ballif C, Topič M. CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3) perovskite / silicon tandem solar cells: characterization based optical simulations. OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 23:A263-A278. [PMID: 25968792 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.00a263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study we analyze and discuss the optical properties of various tandem architectures: mechanically stacked (four-terminal) and monolithically integrated (two-terminal) tandem devices, consisting of a methyl ammonium lead triiodide (CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3)) perovskite top solar cell and a crystalline silicon bottom solar cell. We provide layer thickness optimization guidelines and give estimates of the maximum tandem efficiencies based on state-of-the-art sub cells. We use experimental complex refractive index spectra for all involved materials as input data for an in-house developed optical simulator CROWM. Our characterization based simulations forecast that with optimized layer thicknesses the four-terminal configuration enables efficiencies over 30%, well above the current single-junction crystalline silicon cell record of 25.6%. Efficiencies over 30% can also be achieved with a two-terminal monolithic integration of the sub-cells, combined with proper selection of layer thicknesses.
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9
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Monolithic DSSC/CIGS tandem solar cell fabricated by a solution process. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8970. [PMID: 25759191 PMCID: PMC4355678 DOI: 10.1038/srep08970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandem architecture between organic (dye-sensitized solar cell, DSSC) and inorganic (CuInGaSe2 thin film solar cell, CIGS) single-junction solar cells was constructed particularly based on a solution process. Arc-plasma deposition was employed for the Pt interfacial layer to minimize the damage to the layers of the CIGS bottom cell. Solar cell efficiency of 13% was achieved, which is significant progress from individual single-junction solar cells (e.g., 7.25 and 6.2% for DSSC and CIGS, respectively).
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10
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10.5% efficient polymer and amorphous silicon hybrid tandem photovoltaic cell. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6391. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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11
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Roland S, Neubert S, Albrecht S, Stannowski B, Seger M, Facchetti A, Schlatmann R, Rech B, Neher D. Hybrid organic/inorganic thin-film multijunction solar cells exceeding 11% power conversion efficiency. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2015; 27:1262-1267. [PMID: 25581318 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201404698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid multijunction solar cells comprising hydrogenated amorphous silicon and an organic bulk heterojunction are presented, reaching 11.7% power conversion efficiency. The benefits of merging inorganic and organic subcells are pointed out, the optimization of the cells, including optical modeling predictions and tuning of the recombination contact are described, and an outlook of this technique is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Roland
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Physics and Astronomy, Physik weicher Materie, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24/25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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12
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Park SH, Shin I, Kim KH, Street R, Roy A, Heeger AJ. Tandem solar cells made from amorphous silicon and polymer bulk heterojunction sub-cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2015; 27:298-302. [PMID: 25410395 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201403849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A tandem solar cell based on a combination of an amorphous silicon (a-Si) and polymer solar cell (PSC) is demonstrated. As these tandem devices can be readily fabricated by low-cost methods, they require only a minor increase in the total manufacturing cost. Therefore, a combination of a-Si and PSC provides a compelling solution to reduce the cost of electricity produced by photovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Heum Park
- Department of Physics, Pukyong National University, Busan, 608-737, South Korea; Hybrid Interface Materials Global Frontier Research Group, Pusan National University, Busan, 609-735, South Korea
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13
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Triple-junction hybrid tandem solar cells with amorphous silicon and polymer-fullerene blends. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7154. [PMID: 25412648 PMCID: PMC4239567 DOI: 10.1038/srep07154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid tandem solar cells attract a considerable amount of attention due to their potential for realizing high efficiency photovoltaic devices at a low cost. Here, highly efficient triple-junction (TJ) hybrid tandem solar cells consisting of a double-junction (DJ) amorphous silicon (a-Si) cell and an organic photovoltaic (OPV) rear cell were developed. In order to design the TJ device in a logical manner, a simulation was carried out based on optical absorption and internal quantum efficiency. In the TJ architecture, the high-energy photons were utilized in a more efficient way than in the previously reported a-Si/OPV DJ devices, leading to a significant improvement in the overall efficiency by means of a voltage gain. The interface engineering such as tin-doped In2O3 deposition as an interlayer and its UV-ozone treatment resulted in the further improvement in the performance of the TJ solar cells. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 7.81% was achieved with an open-circuit voltage of 2.35 V. The wavelength-resolved absorption profile provides deeper insight into the detailed optical response of the TJ hybrid solar cells.
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14
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Lee J, Jo SB, Kim M, Kim HG, Shin J, Kim H, Cho K. Donor-acceptor alternating copolymer nanowires for highly efficient organic solar cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:6706-6714. [PMID: 25074131 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201401203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A donor-acceptor conjugated copolymer enables the formation of nanowire systems that can be successfully introduced into bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells. A simple binary solvent mixture that makes polarity control possible allows kinetic control over the self-assembly of the crystalline polymer into a nanowire structure during the film-forming process. The enhanced photoconductivity of the nanowire-embedded photoactive layer efficiently facilitates photon harvesting in the solar cells. The resultant maximum power conversion efficiency is 8.2% in a conventional single-cell structure, revealing a 60% higher performance than in devices without nanowires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewon Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Korea
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15
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Jung J, Yoon YJ, He M, Lin Z. Organic-inorganic nanocomposites composed of conjugated polymers and semiconductor nanocrystals for photovoltaics. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaehan Jung
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta Georgia 30332
| | - Young Jun Yoon
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta Georgia 30332
| | - Ming He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta Georgia 30332
| | - Zhiqun Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering; Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta Georgia 30332
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16
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Jin G, Wei HT, Na TY, Sun HZ, Zhang H, Yang B. High-efficiency aqueous-processed hybrid solar cells with an enormous Herschel infrared contribution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:8606-8612. [PMID: 24809792 DOI: 10.1021/am501408v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous-processed solar cells have evolved into a new generation of promising and renewable energy materials due to their excellent optical, electrical, and low-cost properties. In this work, Cd0.75Hg0.25Te colloid quantum dots (CQDs) were incorporated into a water-soluble conjugated polymer with broad absorption and high charge-carrier-mobility (5 × 10(-4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) to obtain a composite with an absorption spectrum ranging from 300 to 1200 nm. The matched energy level between polymer and CQDs ensured the effective electron transfer, while the interpenetrating network structure formed via heat treatment guaranteed the quick electron transport. Moreover, the formation process of the interpenetrating network was systematically monitored by using AFM and TEM instruments and further confirmed through the measurement of charge-carrier-mobility of the active layers. In combination with the surface modification of a single Cd0.75Hg0.25Te layer, this aqueous-processed solar cell showed excellent photovoltaic response and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) reached 2.7% under AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm(-2)). Especially, the contribution of the Herschel infrared region (780-1100 nm) to the photocurrent was as high as 15.04%. This device showed the highest PCE among organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells (HSCs) based on CdxHg1-xTe CQDs and the highest near infrared (NIR) contribution among aqueous-processed HSCs, indicating the enormous potential of taking advantage of NIR energy in a solar spectrum and a promising application in solar cells especially used in cloudy weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan Jin
- College of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University , Changchun 130024, Jilin, People's Republic of China
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17
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Liu K, Bi Y, Qu S, Tan F, Chi D, Lu S, Li Y, Kou Y, Wang Z. Efficient hybrid plasmonic polymer solar cells with Ag nanoparticle decorated TiO2 nanorods embedded in the active layer. NANOSCALE 2014; 6:6180-6186. [PMID: 24796321 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr00030g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid plasmonic polymer solar cell, in which plasmonic metallic nanostructures (such as Ag, Au, and Pt nanoparticles) are embedded in the active layer, has been under intense scrutiny recently because it provides a promising new approach to enhance the efficiency of the device. We propose a brand new hybrid plasmonic nanostructure, which combines a plasmonic metallic nanostructure and one-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals, to enhance the photocurrent of the device through a strong localized electric field and an enhanced charge transport channel. We demonstrate that when Ag nanoparticle decorated TiO2 nanorods were introduced into the active layer of polymer-fullerene based bulk heterojunction solar cells, the photocurrent significantly increased to 14.15 mA cm(-2) from 6.51 mA cm(-2) without a decrease in the open voltage; thus, the energy conversion efficiency was dramatically enhanced to 4.87% from 2.57%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Semiconductor Materials Science, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China.
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18
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Chen Y, Lin WC, Liu J, Dai L. Graphene oxide-based carbon interconnecting layer for polymer tandem solar cells. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:1467-71. [PMID: 24521516 DOI: 10.1021/nl4046284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Tandem polymer solar cells (PSCs), consisting of more than one (normally two) subcells connected by a charge recombination layer (i.e., interconnecting layer), hold great promise for enhancing the performance of PSCs. For an ideal tandem solar cell, the open circuit voltage (Voc) equals to the sum of those of the subcells while keeping the short circuit current the same as the lower one, leading to an increased overall power conversion efficiency. The interconnecting layer plays an important role in regulating the tandem device performance. Here, we report that graphene oxide (GO)/GO-Cs (cesium neutralized GO) bilayer modified with ultrathin Al and MoO3 can act as an efficient interconnecting layer in tandem PSCs to achieve a significantly increased Voc, reaching almost 100% of the sum of the subcell V(oc)s under standard AM 1.5 conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Chen
- Center of Advanced Science and Engineering for Carbon (Case4Carbon), Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University , 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Beiley ZM, Christoforo MG, Gratia P, Bowring AR, Eberspacher P, Margulis GY, Cabanetos C, Beaujuge PM, Salleo A, McGehee MD. Semi-transparent polymer solar cells with excellent sub-bandgap transmission for third generation photovoltaics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:7020-7026. [PMID: 24123497 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201301985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics are of interest for a variety of photovoltaic applications, including solar windows and hybrid tandem photovoltaics. The figure shows a photograph of our semi-transparent solar cell, which has a power conversion efficiency of 5.0%, with an above bandgap transmission of 34% and a sub-bandgap transmission of 81%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach M Beiley
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, 476 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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20
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Yusoff ARBM, Jose da Silva W, Kim HP, Jang J. Extremely stable all solution processed organic tandem solar cells with TiO2/GO recombination layer under continuous light illumination. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:11051-11057. [PMID: 24071723 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03068g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
One approach to harvest a wide solar spectral solar energy is to stack two solar cells with different absorption characteristics in a tandem cell architecture. Herein, solution processed tandem solar cells, with highly transparent titanium oxide (TiO2) and graphene oxide (GO) as an efficient recombination layer, were designed, fabricated and characterized. We have adopted poly[(4,4'-bis(3-ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:''3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,5-(3-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole]:indene-C60 bisadduct (PSEHTT:ICBA) and poly[(4,4'-bis(2-ethylhexyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)-4,7-diyl]:[6,6]-phenyl-C70 butyric acid methyl ester (PSBTBT:PC70BM) as the active layers for the front and rear cells, respectively. The TiO2/GO serves as an electron and hole collecting and recombination layer. The tandem solar cells showed a high open circuit voltage (VOC) 1.62 V, a moderate short circuit current density (JSC) 8.23 mA cm(-2), fill factor (FF) 62.98%, leading to the power conversion efficiency of 8.40%. The obtained VOC value of tandem solar cells is ideal for the summation of VOCs attained from front and rear cells and it is evident that our tandem solar cells are well connected in series. Moreover, this tandem cell exhibits a 20% drop in conversion efficiency under continuous AM illumination for 2880 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abd Rashid bin Mohd Yusoff
- Department of Information, Display and Advanced Display Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-ku, Seoul 130-171, Republic of Korea.
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Zhou E, Hashimoto K, Tajima K. Low band gap polymers for photovoltaic device with photocurrent response wavelengths over 1000nm. POLYMER 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2013.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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He M, Qiu F, Lin Z. Toward High-Performance Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cells: Bringing Conjugated Polymers and Inorganic Nanocrystals in Close Contact. J Phys Chem Lett 2013; 4:1788-96. [PMID: 26283110 DOI: 10.1021/jz400381x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells composed of conjugated polymers (CPs) and inorganic nanocrystal (NC) semiconductors have garnered considerable attention as a potential alternative to traditional silicon solar cells due to the capacity of producing high-efficiency solar energy in a cost-effective manner. The combination of advantageous characteristics of CPs and NCs enables the construction of nanostructured high-performance, lightweight, flexible, large-area, and low-cost hybrid solar cells. However, it remains a grand challenge to control the film morphology and interfacial structure of such organic/inorganic semiconductor blends on the nanoscale. In this Perspective, we highlight the strategies of implementing close contact between CPs and NCs by tailoring the colloidal synthesis, the coordination reaction, and the chemical modification of CPs. As such, they offer promising opportunities for rationally controlling the phase separation between electron-donating CPs and electron-accepting NCs, increasing the interfacial areas between them, enhancing their electronic interaction, and thus substantially promoting the photovoltaic performance of the resulting organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming He
- †School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- ‡State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- ‡State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhiqun Lin
- †School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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Kaltenhauser V, Rath T, Edler M, Reichmann A, Trimmel G. Exploring polymer/nanoparticle hybrid solar cells in tandem architecture. RSC Adv 2013. [DOI: 10.1039/c3ra43842b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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