A Review of the Improvements in the Performance and Stability of Ternary Semi-Transparent Organic Solar Cells: Material and Architectural Approaches

Abstract

In the past decade, considerable efforts have been made to develop semi-transparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs). Different materials and architectures were examined with the aim of commercializing these devices. Among these, the use of ternary active layers demonstrated great promise for the development of efficient semi-transparent organic solar cells with the potential for future applications, including but not limited to self-powered greenhouses and powered windows. Researchers seek alternative solutions to trade-off between the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT) of ST-OSCs, with photoactive materials being the key parameters that govern both (PCE) and (AVT), as well as device stability. Several new organic materials, including polymers and small molecules, were synthesized and used in conjunction with a variety of techniques to achieve semi-transparent conditions. In this review paper, we look at the working principle and key parameters of semi-transparent organic solar cells, as well as the methods that have been used to improve the performance and stability of ternary-based semi-transparent organic solar cells. The main approaches were concluded to be spectral enhancement and increments in the transparency of the active layer through band gap tuning, utilizing novel organic semi-conductors, optical engineering, and the design architecture of the active layers.

Study the Effect of Thickness on the Performance of PM6:Y6 Organic Solar Using SCAPS Simulation

“…Furthermore, the optical and electrical contribution of the third component to the binary BHJ makes comprehension challenging. Thus, motivated by these findings and our understanding of the significance of molecular additives, which can increase polymer crystallization and packing [23], we modified the percentage of the integrated molecular component in the mix for various junction thicknesses.…”

Optical Module for Simultaneous Crop Cultivation and Solar Energy Generation: Design, Analysis, and Experimental Validation

“…Compared to Si solar cells, STOSCs with thin-film structures are lighter and cheaper to manufacture. However, their semi-transparency poses a trade-off between power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT), and they may lack durability in various environmental conditions compared to Si PV systems [20,21].…”

Enhancing Efficiency and Photo-Stability of Organic Solar Cells via Vertical Phase Separation Morphology Induced by Surface Modification of PEDOT:PSS with Star-Shaped Benzene-Based DFTAB Additive

“…Figure i presents the transmittance spectra of PEDOT:PSS with and without DFTAB modification. While both films exhibit similar transmittances across a wide wavelength range of 450–1000 nm, the inclusion of DFTAB reduces film transmittance at 400 nm, mitigating the entry of ultraviolet light into the active layer and enhancing device photostability …”

“…While both films exhibit similar transmittances across a wide wavelength range of 450−1000 nm, the inclusion of DFTAB reduces film transmittance at 400 nm, mitigating the entry of ultraviolet light into the active layer and enhancing device photostability. 31 To further investigate the influence of modified PE-DOT:PSS on the morphology of the upper active layer, contact-angle measurements were conducted for PEDOT:PSS with and without DFTAB modification to determine the surface energy (γ S ). The results, summarized in Figure S2 and Table S1, reveal that DFTAB-modified PEDOT:PSS exhibits a γ S value of 66.89 mN m −1 for modified PEDOT:PSS surfaces and 71.04 mN m −1 for unmodified surfaces, potentially affecting the film formation kinetics of the active layer.…”