Ordered Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells

This project involves making efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells with semiconducting polymers that could be deposited in roll-to-roll coaters. Careful analysis and optimization of each process that occurs in bulk heterojunction PV cells will be carried out and devices based on ordered interpenetrating networks of organic and inorganic semiconductors will be created. Specifically this research will lead to devices that will efficiently split excitons and carry charge to electrodes, that will have improved packing of the molecules in the organic semiconductor to enhance its ability to carry charge, and that will have a modified organic-inorganic interface to prevent recombination of electrons and holes. It is anticipated that charge recombination in the cells will be almost completely eliminated and energy conversion efficiencies in the range of 10-15% will be obtained.