Solvent mixture to affect the structure of the organic solar cell

Control the mixing between the acceptor layer and the donor layer, or between the solar cell field, in the polymer solar cell can improve the efficiency of the battery. This result was found by the research team from North Carolina State University physicist, their findings clarify the inner workings of these solar cells, and can lead to future efficiency.

Polymer solar cell includes two domain (s), generally referred to as the acceptor layer and the donor layer. Energy particles - excitons generated by the solar cell, in order to be used as the energy source can be quickly moved to the interface of the domain of the acceptor and donor. Researchers believe that, as far as possible to maintain the purity of the donor and acceptor layer, is to ensure that the exciton can unimpeded movement of the best way, this can capture the energy of the maximum number of the solar panel.

North Carolina State University physicist Harald Ade and his group joint research team from the United Kingdom, Australia and China, to jointly test their physical structure, and improve the production of polymer solar cells. Published in Advanced Energy Materials and Advanced Materials two separate paper, the researchers show some hybrid of the two domains may not be a bad thing. In fact, if the shape or structure of such a hybrid domain is small, the solar cell is still quite efficient.

Ade said, "We have found that before these solar cells, the domain is not pure, so we went to observe the additive is how to influence the production of these batteries when you produce the battery, the relative rate of evaporation of the solvent and additives decided the active layer is formed, and the donor layer and the receptor layer mixing. Ideally, you want the solvent was evaporated to give a slow enough, so that the material have enough time to separate - otherwise layer chaos, and reduces the efficiency of the battery. we took advantage of a slow evaporation of additives which control the mixing and the domain size of the active layer, and the mixed portion is small. "

"The efficiency of the mixed layer is excellent, which allows us to speculate: as long as the domain is small, the donor and acceptor mixed not a problem."

"We are looking for the best mix point, solvents and additives used in the production of polymer solar charge controller, in accordance with the physical mixing of the domain, and how we can affect the efficiency." Ade adds.

The research project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Ade paper is published in Advanced Energy Materials Corresponding author, other authors include postdoctoral Brian Collins, John Tumbleston and graduate Eliot Gann. Li Zhe (phonetic), the University of Cambridge and Dr. Monash University, Australia christopher McNeill also make a contribution. Ade is also the author of a paper published in Advanced Materials Other co-authors include the Ade postdoctoral Ma Wei (phonetic), Professor Hou Jianhui,