Correlating structure and function in small molecule organic solar cells by means of scanning probe and electron microscopy

Correlating structure and function in small molecule organic solar cells by means of scanning probe and electron microscopy

Author: Michael Scherer

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2016-07-20

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 3741251526

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In this work nanoscale properties in active layers of small molecule organic solar cells are studied regarding their impact on device performance. For this, the effect of variations in stack design and process conditions is examined both electrically and with high resolution imaging techniques. Two topics are addressed: (i) the visualization of charge extraction/injection properties of solar cell contacts and (ii) the tailoring of structural properties of co-evaporated material blends for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells. (i) We study the impact of controlled contact manipulation on the internal electric potential distribution of fluorinated zincphtalocyanine (F4ZnPc)/fullerene (C60) organic solar cells under operating conditions. In a detailed analytical study using photoelectron spectroscopy and in-operando scanning Kelvin probe microscopy it is demonstrated that the electric field distribution of organic solar cells at the maximum power point depends in an overproportional manner on contact properties and ranges from bulk to contact dominated even for solar cells with decent device performance. (ii) The morphology of co-evaporated active layer blends depends on both substrate and substrate temperature. Here we study the morphology of F4ZnPc:C60 blends with analytical transmission electron microscopy. For all substrates used is found that co-evaporation of the materials at elevated substrate temperature (100° Cel) induces a distinct phase segregation of F4ZnPc and C60. However, only when using a C60 underlayer, as in inverted devices, also the crystallinity of the segregated C60 phase increases. There is only a slight increase in crystallinity when F4ZnPc acts as an underlayer, as typically for non-inverted devices. Solar cell characterization reveals that the crystalline C60 domains are the main driving force for enhanced free charge carrier generation and higher power conversion efficiencies. With this we could provide a novel explanation why record efficiencies of small molecule organic solar cells are realized in inverted device architecture only.


Stability and Degradation of Organic and Polymer Solar Cells

Stability and Degradation of Organic and Polymer Solar Cells

Author: Frederik C. Krebs

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-04-23

Total Pages: 375

ISBN-13: 1119952514

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Organic photovoltaics (OPV) are a new generation of solar cells with the potential to offer very short energy pay back times, mechanical flexibility and significantly lower production costs compared to traditional crystalline photovoltaic systems. A weakness of OPV is their comparative instability during operation and this is a critical area of research towards the successful development and commercialization of these 3rd generation solar cells. Covering both small molecule and polymer solar cells, Stability and Degradation of Organic and Polymer Solar Cells summarizes the state of the art understanding of stability and provides a detailed analysis of the mechanisms by which degradation occurs. Following an introductory chapter which compares different photovoltaic technologies, the book focuses on OPV degradation, discussing the origin and characterization of the instability and describing measures for extending the duration of operation. Topics covered include: *Chemical and physical probes for studying degradation *Imaging techniques *Photochemical stability of OPV materials *Degradation mechanisms *Testing methods *Barrier technology and applications Stability and Degradation of Organic and Polymer Solar Cells is an essential reference source for researchers in academia and industry, engineers and manufacturers working on OPV design, development and implementation.


Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1961-05

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13:

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The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is the premier public resource on scientific and technological developments that impact global security. Founded by Manhattan Project Scientists, the Bulletin's iconic "Doomsday Clock" stimulates solutions for a safer world.


Fundamentals of Solar Cell Design

Fundamentals of Solar Cell Design

Author: Inamuddin

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2021-08-24

Total Pages: 578

ISBN-13: 1119724708

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Solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert light photons into electricity in photovoltaic energy conversion and can help to overcome the global energy crisis. Solar cells have many applications including remote area power systems, earth-orbiting satellites, wristwatches, water pumping, photodetectors and remote radiotelephones. Solar cell technology is economically feasible for commercial-scale power generation. While commercial solar cells exhibit good performance and stability, still researchers are looking at many ways to improve the performance and cost of solar cells via modulating the fundamental properties of semiconductors. Solar cell technology is the key to a clean energy future. Solar cells directly harvest energy from the sun’s light radiation into electricity are in an ever-growing demand for future global energy production. Solar cell-based energy harvesting has attracted worldwide attention for their notable features, such as cheap renewable technology, scalable, lightweight, flexibility, versatility, no greenhouse gas emission, environment, and economy friendly and operational costs are quite low compared to other forms of power generation. Thus, solar cell technology is at the forefront of renewable energy technologies which are used in telecommunications, power plants, small devices to satellites. Aiming at large-scale implementation can be manipulated by various types used in solar cell design and exploration of new materials towards improving performance and reducing cost. Therefore, in-depth knowledge about solar cell design is fundamental for those who wish to apply this knowledge and understanding in industries and academics. This book provides a comprehensive overview on solar cells and explores the history to evolution and present scenarios of solar cell design, classification, properties, various semiconductor materials, thin films, wafer-scale, transparent solar cells, and so on. It also includes solar cells’ characterization analytical tools, theoretical modeling, practices to enhance conversion efficiencies, applications and patents.


Perovskite Photovoltaics

Perovskite Photovoltaics

Author: Aparna Thankappan

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2018-06-29

Total Pages: 521

ISBN-13: 0128129166

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Perovskite Photovoltaics: Basic to Advanced Concepts and Implementation examines the emergence of perovskite photovoltaics, associated challenges and opportunities, and how to achieve broader development. Consolidating developments in perovskite photovoltaics, including recent progress solar cells, this text also highlights advances and the research necessary for sustaining energy. Addressing different photovoltaics fields with tailored content for what makes perovskite solar cells suitable, and including commercialization examples of large-scale perovskite solar technology. The book also contains a detailed analysis of the implementation and economic viability of perovskite solar cells, highlighting what photovoltaic devices need to be generated by low cost, non-toxic, earth abundant materials using environmentally scalable processes. This book is a valuable resource engineers, scientists and researchers, and all those who wish to broaden their knowledge on flexible perovskite solar cells. - Includes contributions by leading solar cell academics, industrialists, researchers and institutions across the globe - Addresses different photovoltaics fields with tailored content for what makes perovskite solar cells different - Provides commercialization examples of large-scale perovskite solar technology, giving users detailed analysis on the implementation, technical challenges and economic viability of perovskite solar cells


Indoor Photovoltaics

Indoor Photovoltaics

Author: Monika Freunek Muller

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2020-12-10

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1119605598

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This is the first and most comprehensive guide on the modeling, engineering and reliable design of indoor photovoltaics which currently is the most promising and energy efficient power supply for edge nodes for the Internet of Things and other indoor devices. Indoor photovoltaics (IPV) has grown in importance over recent years. This can in part be attributed to the creation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) along with the vast amounts of data being processed in the field, which has been a massive accelerator for this development. Moreover, since energy conservation is being imposed as the national strategy of many countries and is being set as a top priority throughout the world, understanding and promoting IPV as the most promising indoor energy harvesting source is considered by many to be essential these days. The book provides the engineer and researcher with guidelines, and presents a comprehensive overview of theoretical models, efficiencies, and application design. This unique and groundbreaking book has chapters by leading researchers on: Introduction to micro energy harvesting Introduction to indoor photovoltaics Modeling indoor irradiance Characterization and power measurement of IPV cells Luminescent solar concentrators Organic photovoltaic cells and modules for applications under indoor lighting conditions High-efficiency indoor photovoltaic energy harvesting Indoor photovoltaics based on ALGAAs alloys


Semiconducting Polymers

Semiconducting Polymers

Author: Georges Hadziioannou

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2006-12-15

Total Pages: 786

ISBN-13: 3527312714

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Halbleitende Polymere sind ein faszinierendes interdisziplinäres Forschungsgebiet, das kurz vor dem anwendungstechnischen Durchbruch steht. Insbesondere für neue Komponenten in der Photonik und Optoelektronik bieten diese Materialien ein enormes Potential. Dieses zweibändige Handbuch mit Beiträgen herausragender Experten aus den Feldern Organische und Physikalische Chemie, Festkörperphysik bis hin zur Verfahrenstechnik, beschreibt detailliert die Grundlagen, die zum Verständnis und zur Kontrolle dieser faszinierenden Materialien notwendig sind.


Solar Cell Materials

Solar Cell Materials

Author: Arthur Willoughby

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2014-03-03

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 0470065516

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This book presents a comparison of solar cell materials, including both new materials based on organics, nanostructures and novel inorganics and developments in more traditional photovoltaic materials. It surveys the materials and materials trends in the field including third generation solar cells (multiple energy level cells, thermal approaches and the modification of the solar spectrum) with an eye firmly on low costs, energy efficiency and the use of abundant non-toxic materials.


Emerging Photovoltaic Materials

Emerging Photovoltaic Materials

Author: Santosh K. Kurinec

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-12-03

Total Pages: 759

ISBN-13: 1119407680

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This book covers the recent advances in photovoltaics materials and their innovative applications. Many materials science problems are encountered in understanding existing solar cells and the development of more efficient, less costly, and more stable cells. This important and timely book provides a historical overview, but concentrates primarily on the exciting developments in the last decade. It includes organic and perovskite solar cells, photovoltaics in ferroelectric materials, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite, materials with improved photovoltaic efficiencies as well as the full range of semiconductor materials for solar-to-electricity conversion, from crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon to cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium sulfide selenides, dye sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, and environmentally-friendly copper zinc tin sulfide selenides.


Organic and Hybrid Solar Cells

Organic and Hybrid Solar Cells

Author: Lukas Schmidt-Mende

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2016-05-24

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 3110283204

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With the increasing world-energy demand there is a growing necessity for clean and renewable energy. The sun being one of the most abundant potential sources accounts for less than 1% of the global energy supply. The market for solar cells is one of the most strongly increasing markets, even though the prize of conventional solar cells is still quite high. New emerging technologies, such as organic and hybrid solar cells have the potential to decrease the price of solar energy drastically. This book offers an introduction to these new types of solar cells and discusses fabrication, different architectures and their device physics on the bases of the author's teaching course on a master degree level. A comparison with conventional solar cells will be given and the specialties of organic solar cells emphasized.