We investigate the influence of the energy levels on the power conversion efficiency of a P3HT:PCBM and a MEH-PPV:PV bulk heterojunction cell. We calculate the upper-limit for the efficiency, and make realistic assumptions to predict efficiencies obtainable in the near future. The ideal position of the energy levels of donor and acceptor are obtained from these calculations, giving an idea how ...

The unique temperature-dependent solubility of liquid crystalline poly(2,5-bis(3-alkylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2b]thiophene) (PBTTT) enabled us to construct the first bilayer-bulk-heterojunction devices based on a PBTTT: PCBM (1:2)/MDMO-PPV:[70]PCBM (1:4) active layer. The bilayer device exhibited an extended optical absorption over the solar spectrum and concentration gradient that enhanced char...

Basic solar cell characteristics were examined in an organic bulk heterojunction device. The active layer is a spincoated organic blend of a pmaterial (MEH-PPV) and an n-material (the fullerene derivative PCBM), sandwiched between a transparent ITO-PEDOT/PSS electrode and an Al/LiF back-contact. We carried out light and dark I-V and spectral response measurements and measured the transparency o...

Small amounts of impurity, even one part in one thousand, in polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells can alter the electronic properties of the device, including reducing the open circuit voltage, the short circuit current and the fi ll factor. Steady state studies show a dramatic increase in the trap-assisted recombination rate when [6,6]-phenyl C 84 butyric acid methyl ester (PC 84 BM) is int...

Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells hold much promise as commercially viable sources of renewable energy due to their relatively inexpensive fabrication. Developing a fundamental knowledge of how processing conditions influence solar power conversion efficiency will enable rational and efficient design, optimization, and control of new organic solar cell materials. In this report, we use a ...

To optimize the performance of polymer solar cells, various techniques have been developed and reported from various research fields. The introduction of processing additives in the polymer : PCBM bulkheterojunction solution is one of the efficient strategies used to improve the cell performance. Although numerous solvents have been presented as processing additives, an appropriate processing a...

A mesoscopic methylammonium lead iodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃) perovskite/TiO₂ heterojunction solar cell is developed with low-cost carbon counter electrode (CE) and full printable process. With carbon black/spheroidal graphite CE, this mesoscopic heterojunction solar cell presents high stability and power conversion efficiency of 6.64%, which is higher than that of the flaky graphite based device and co...