Economical Buffer Layer Boosts Performance of Organic Solar Cells
Todd S. Emrick, Ph.D.
- High performance organic solar cells
- High performance light emitting diodes
- Functionalized high performance metal electrodes with tunable work function
PERFORMANCE FACTORS* | PFN (polyfuorene with alkyl side-chains) | PEI (polyethylenimide) | Fullerene Derivatives | THIS INVENTION | Simple OPV Device Architecture (non-inverted) | - | - | + | + | Best Single Junction Solar Cell PCE>9% | + (inverted device only) | - | - | + | Universal Compatibility (PCE> 8.5% for Al, Ag, Cu & Au cathodes) | - | - | - | + | Robust Adhesion to Photoactive Layer | + | - | + | + | Economical Synthesis of Buffer Layer Material | - | + | - | + |
*For the given buffer layer materials of typical OPV Devices fabricated therewith
New compositions of matter have been invented, specifically organic buffer layer materials that can greatly enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices and can effectively functionalize metal electrodes. Conventional-architecture OPV devices made using the new buffer layer have average PCEs greater than 8%, with the highest PCE value exceeding 9.5%. This new buffer layer can be used with Ag, Cu, and Au cathodes, opening routes to all-solution-based device fabrication and roll-to-roll processing. In addition, the new buffer layer materials can be applied at a layer thickness of up to 55 nm, avoiding processing challenges that occur with ultrathin buffer layers and enabling a simplified and reproducible process for device fabrication.
Dr. Todd Emrick is a Professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering. He is a prolific inventor and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Available for Licensing and/or Sponsored Research
UMA 14-038
U.S. Patent 10,056,554 B2 issued
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