A Review on the Materials Science and Device Physics of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

Abstract

In this review, the current state of materials science and the device physics of semitransparent organic solar cells is summarized. Relevant synthetic strategies to narrow the band gap of organic semiconducting molecules are outlined, and recent developments in the polymer donor and near-infrared absorbing acceptor materials are discussed. Next, an overview of transparent electrodes is given, including oxides, multi-stacks, thin metal, and solution processed electrodes, as well as considerations that are unique to ST-OPVs. The remainder of this review focuses on the device engineering of ST-OPVs. The figures of merit and the theoretical limitations of ST-OPVs are covered, as well as strategies to improve the light utilization efficiency. Lastly, the importance of creating an in-depth understanding of the device physics of ST-OPVs is emphasized and the existing works that answer fundamental questions about the inherent changes in the optoelectronic processes in transparent devices are presented in a condensed way. This last part outlines the changes that are unique for devices with increased transparency and the resulting implications, serving as a point of reference for the systematic development of next-generation ST-OPVs.

Impact of Alkyl-Based Side Chains in Conjugated Materials for Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Cells—A Review

“…Numerous hundreds of publications have reported the synthesis, photophysical properties, and use of conjugated polymers in OPVs. Several reviews have gathered these papers [54][55][56], emphasizing the polymerization strategy [57], the role of specific building blocks [58][59][60][61], the improvement of the active layer or cell technology [9,62,63], the achievement of transparent BHJ photoactive layers and devices [54,64], or their morphological design strategies for improving charge carrier mobilities [65]. Recently, conjugated polymer-based bulk heterojunction solar cells have exhibited high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) up to 18.22% in 2020 [66] and up to 19.3% in a single-junction cell in 2022 [67].…”

A tetracyclic-bislactone-based copolymer donor for efficient semitransparent organic photovoltaics

“…[13][14][15][16] Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) can meet such requirements since organic semiconductors generally show a band-like absorption spectrum and it is easy to adjust their absorption bands in the NIR region. [17][18][19][20] In recent years, the development of low-bandgap small molecule acceptors (SMAs) has greatly accelerated the advancement of OPVs. Single-junction OPVs based on a wide-bandgap polymer donor and a low-bandgap SMA can afford 419% PCEs.…”

Cosimulation of Integrated Organic Photovoltaic Glazing Systems Based on Functional Mock-Up Unit

“…In the optimization of molecular structures of organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials, Cui et al [9] presented an effective method to boost power conversion efficiency (PCE); through single-junction OPV cells, the molecular system achieved 17.3% efficiency. Schopp and Brus [10] presented a complete review of current ST-OPV-based technologies that shows devices with higher or lower transparency and the resulting implications, clearly serving as a reference point for the systematic development of the next generation of this technology. Regarding the simulation used to predict the benefits of new solar-related technologies, different simulation and modelling tools often have their own definition of how a phenomenon can be represented, and how model data is stored.…”