Donor–acceptor semiconducting polymers for organic solar cells

Conjugated Polymers for Organic Solar Cells

Energy shortage has become a worldwide issue in the 21st century (Lior, 2008). The urge to look for renewable energy to replace fossil fuel has driven substantial research effort into the energy sector (Hottel, 1989). The solar energy has enormous potential to take the place due to its vast energy stock and availability worldwide (Balzani et al., 2008). Conventional solar energy conversion devi...

Germaindacenodithiophene based low band gap polymers for organic solar cells.

We report the first synthesis of a fused germaindacenodithiophene monomer and its polymerisation with 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole by Suzuki polycondensation. The resulting polymer, PGeTPTBT, is semicrystalline, despite the presence of four bulky 2-ethylhexyl groups. Blends with P(70)CBM afford solar cells with efficiencies of 5.02%.

Efficiency enhancement in organic solar cells with ferroelectric polymers.

The recombination of electrons and holes in semiconducting polymer-fullerene blends has been identified as a main cause of energy loss in organic photovoltaic devices. Generally, an external bias voltage is required to efficiently separate the electrons and holes and thus prevent their recombination. Here we show that a large, permanent, internal electric field can be ensured by incorporating a...

Towards High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells: Polymers and Devices Development

Semiconducting polymers and quantum dots in luminescent solar concentrators for solar energy harvesting

We compare the performance of luminescent solar concentrators LSCs fabricated with polymers and quantum dots to the behavior of laser dye LSCs. Previous research, centered around the use of small molecule laser dyes, was hindered by the lack of materials with small absorption/emission band overlap and longer lifetime. Materials such as semiconducting polymers and quantum dots present qualities ...