Elimination of newly discovered loss mechanism enhances organic solar cell efficiency and stability

Researchers at Åbo Akademi College in Finland have recognized and eradicated a beforehand unknown loss mechanism in natural photo voltaic cells that makes them extra environment friendly and provides them an extended lifetime. The outcomes present new perception into how effectivity and stability may be elevated sooner or later.

The work of the Natural Electronics Analysis Group at Åbo Akademi College was carried out in cooperation with Professor Chang-Qi Ma’s group at Suzhou Institute for Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics. Members of the analysis group from Åbo Akademi College embody Ronald Österbacka, Sebastian Wilken and Oskar Sandberg. The outcomes are published in Nature Photonics.

The research demonstrated an excellent effectivity of greater than 18% in structure-inverted photo voltaic cells with a 1cm² space. It additionally achieved the best reported lifespan of natural photo voltaic cells to this point, reaching 24,700 hours below white gentle illumination, which corresponds to a predicted operational lifetime of greater than 16 years.

Natural photovoltaics are attention-grabbing by way of commercialization as a result of they’re gentle, versatile and have an energy-efficient manufacturing course of. The power conversion efficiency has elevated dramatically over the past 5 years, with the most effective natural photo voltaic cells, that are based mostly on a so-called typical construction, reaching greater than 20% within the lab.

Nonetheless, the employed supplies are inclined to degradation when uncovered to daylight and air, and the long-term stability of those cells nonetheless requires enhancements to make them extensively accessible.

By way of lifetime, it’s helpful that the topmost contact layer of the photo voltaic cell is constituted of probably the most sturdy materials. These structure-inverted, or n-i-p photo voltaic cells, are a extra steady choice, though their energy conversion effectivity nonetheless lags behind that of typical designs. The researchers’ discovery reveals a promising method to enhance each the efficiency and stability of those structurally inverted natural photo voltaic cells.

The work recognized a beforehand unknown loss mechanism in natural photo voltaic cells and a method to overcome it. The underside contact of those units, constituted of metal oxides akin to zinc oxidecreates a slender recombination space resulting in a lack of photocurrent.

By making use of a skinny, solvent-processed silicon oxide nitrate (SiO_xN_y) passivation layer on the underside contact, the recombination space is eradicated, leading to improved effectivity. The work underlines the potential for utilizing the tactic within the large-scale manufacturing of environment friendly and steady organic solar cells.

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Abo Akademi College