Printable Solar Cells The book brings together the recent advances, new and cutting edge materials from solution process and manufacturing techniques that are the key to making photovoltaic devices more efficient and inexpensive. Printable Solar Cells provides an overall view of the new and highly promising materials and thin film deposition techniques for printable solar cell applications. The book is organized in four parts. Organic and inorganic hybrid materials and solar cell manufacturing techniques are covered in Part I. Part II is devoted to organic materials and processing technologies like spray coating. This part also demonstrates the key features of the interface engineering for the printable organic solar cells. The main focus of Part III is the perovskite solar cells, which is a new and promising family of the photovoltaic applications. Finally, inorganic materials and solution based thin film formation methods using these materials for printable solar cell application is discussed in Part IV. Audience The book will be of interest to a multidisciplinary group of fields, in industry and academia, including physics, chemistry, materials science, biochemical engineering, optoelectronic information, photovoltaic and renewable energy engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

Printable Solar Cells The book brings together the recent advances, new and cutting edge materials from solution process and manufacturing techniques that are the key to making photovoltaic devices more efficient and inexpensive. Printable Solar Cells provides an overall view of the new and highly promising materials and thin film deposition techniques for printable solar cell applications. The book is organized in four parts. Organic and inorganic hybrid materials and solar cell manufacturing techniques are covered in Part I. Part II is devoted to organic materials and processing technologies like spray coating. This part also demonstrates the key features of the interface engineering for the printable organic solar cells. The main focus of Part III is the perovskite solar cells, which is a new and promising family of the photovoltaic applications. Finally, inorganic materials and solution based thin film formation methods using these materials for printable solar cell application is discussed in Part IV. Audience The book will be of interest to a multidisciplinary group of fields, in industry and academia, including physics, chemistry, materials science, biochemical engineering, optoelectronic information, photovoltaic and renewable energy engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical and manufacturing engineering.

Rapidly decarbonizing our way of life, parti¬cularly the way we generate power, will be critical to mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change. Time is of the essence and low-cost and scaleable energy technologies that are equitable can play a key role in these efforts. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are an emerging technology based on semiconducting organic polymers and molecules with many potential benefits, such as low weight, flexibility, and printability. In recent years, the performance of research level OPVs has significantly increased, closing the gap to established silicon solar cell technologies. Arguably, printability is one of the key advantages of OPVs, as it can facilitate high-throughput production at extremely low cost. Yet, producing high efficiency OPVs with scaleable production methods such as roll-to-roll (R2R) printing is a key challenge that remains on the path to commercialization and implementation of OPVs. This is largely due to the fact that the efficiency of OPVs strongly depends on the complex microstructure -- also referred to as morphology -- of the active layer that converts light into electricity. Controlling the self-assembly of the materials during printing is significantly more challenging on the industrial scale than on the lab scale. In this thesis, three morphology control strategies are developed that enable direct transfer to scaleable printing techniques while maintaining high solar cell efficiencies. The focus of this work is on developing structure-performance relationships using a suite of synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques for in-depth morphological characterizations. Further, we use these techniques to study the self-assembly of the active layer in real-time during printing and provide mechanistic insight on how different morphology control strategies can be leveraged to optimize the morphology and thereby the performance of printed OPVs. First, a high-level introduction outlines the challenge of rapid decarbonization and the role emerging solar cell technologies such as OPVs can play in addressing this challenge. Special emphasis is placed on the challenge of scaleability on the path to commercialization of OPVs. Chapter 2 provides relevant theoretical background on the three key areas relevant to this thesis research. (I) Organic solar cells, (II) X-ray characterization techniques for organic thin films, and (III) scaleable printing techniques for organic solar cells. Chapter 3 describes a systematic side-chain engineering molecular design approach to control the self-aggregation of a widely used OPV acceptor polymer enabling high performance printable all-polymer solar cells. We find that a balanced propensity of donor and acceptor to self-aggregate is key to achieve intrinsic printability for this material system. Specifically, we show a simple yet effective way to modulate the self-aggregation of the commonly used naphthalene diimide (NDI)-based acceptor polymer (N2200) by systematically replacing a certain amount of alkyl side-chains with compact bulky side-chains (CBS) resulting in a series of random copolymer (PNDI-CBSx) with different molar fractions. Both solution-phase aggregation and solid-state crystallinity of these acceptor polymers are increasingly suppressed with increasing molar fractions of the CBS side-chain. We find that balanced aggregation strength between the donor and acceptor polymers is critical to achieve high-performance (up to 8.5% efficient) all-PSCs with optimal active layer film morphology. Further, we show that balanced aggregation strength of donor and acceptor yields an active layer morphology that is less sensitive to the film deposition methods and solution coating can be achieved without performance losses. Chapter 4 showcases the systematic fluorination of a PBDB-TFy donor and PNDI-TFx acceptor polymer (x, y = 0, 50, 75, 100) and discusses the impact active layer morphology and device performance. We find that fluorination of donor and acceptor polymers does not significantly alter the crystallinity of the respective neat polymers but results in increased compatibility -- in terms of reduced Flory-Huggins interaction parameter -- of the materials. We observe a systematic increase of device performance with increased extent of fluorination. Morphological studies reveal that this improvement largely stems from a more favorable blend morphology with reduced domain size. Specifically, we characterize the domain size of the best performing blend PBDB-TF100:PNDI-TF100 in detail with RSoXS and HRTEM techniques. We observe good agreement between both techniques yielding a domain size close to 30 nm representing a significantly reduce phase separation compare to the non-fluorinated control system PBDB-TF0:PNDI-TF0. Further, we explore the device optimization of this system with the commonly used DIO additive in detail and find that DIO selectively interacts with the donor polymer leading to increased face-on texture crystallinity, further improving the fill factor of the solar cells. Chapter 5 provides in-depth mechanistic insight into the in-situ morphology evolution of all-polymers solar cell systems during scaleable printing. We demonstrate how non-covalent interactions between donor and acceptor polymers can be leveraged to achieve a morphology evolution that is insensitive to changes in the drying conditions and that translates exceptionally well to printing fabrication. Specifically, we systematically control the donor-acceptor interactions using different extents of fluorination of PDBD-TFy and PNDI-TFx (x, y = 0, 0.5, 1.0) donor and acceptor polymers. We show that donor-acceptor interactions can induce donor crystallization, facilitating a high solar cell fill factor (0.65) and excellent transferability to printing fabrication. Leveraging this molecular design strategy, we fabricate printed devices with up to 6.82 % efficiency (compared to the 3.61 % efficient control system). Chapter 6 showcases a novel solvent additive approach based on phthalate additives to control polymer crystallinity and suppress unfavorable phase separation in a representative PTB7-Th/P(NDI2OD-2T) all-polymer solar cell. The best-performing additive increased the blade-coated device performance from 2.09 to 4.50% power conversion efficiency, an over two-fold improvement, mitigating the loss in performance that is typically observed during process transfer from spin-coating to blade-coating. We find that the improved device performance stems from a finer polymer phase-separation size and overall improved active layer morphology. Real-time X-ray diffraction measurements during blade-coating provide mechanistic insights and suggest that the dioctyl phthalate additive may act as a compatibilizer, reducing the demixing of the donor and acceptor polymer during film formation, enabling a smaller phase separation and improved performance. Chapter 7 concludes this thesis with a summary of key conclusions and future directions of this work. Specifically, mixed phase characterization and morphology evolution of polymer:NFA systems, potential morphology control strategies for state-of-the-art all-polymer solar cells, and solvent quality and temperature aggregation studies are briefly discussed. Lastly, the appendix to this thesis provides an overview of selected examples of structural characterization of functional organic thin films to develop structure-property relations in organic solar cells and adjacent field such as organic field effect transistors (OFETs).

Enormous leaps forward in the efficiency and the economy of solar cells are being made at a furious pace. New materials and manufacturing processes have opened up new realms of possibility for the application of solar cells. Crystalline silicon cells are increasingly making way for thin film cells, which are spawning experimentation with third-generation high-efficiency multijunction cells, carbon-nanotube based cells, UV light for voltage enhancement, and the use of the infrared spectrum for night-time operation, to name only a few recent advances. This thoroughly updated new edition of Markvart and Castaner's Solar Cells, extracted from their industry standard Practical Handbook of Photovoltaics, is the definitive reference covering the science and operation, materials and manufacture of solar cells. It is essential reading for engineers, installers, designers, and policy-makers who need to understand the science behind the solar cells of today, and tomorrow, in order to take solar energy to the next level. - A thorough update to the definitive reference to solar cells, created by a cast of international experts from industry and academia to ensure the highest quality information from multiple perspectives - Covers the whole spectrum of solar cell information, from basic scientific background, to the latest advances in materials, to manufacturing issues, to testing and calibration. - Case studies, practical examples and reports on the latest advances take the new edition of this amazing resource beyond a simple amalgamation of a vast amount of knowledge, into the realm of real world applications

Book offers a comprehensive treatment of nonhybrid polymeric solar cells from the basic chemistry of donor and acceptor materials through device design, processing and manufacture. Written by a team of Europe-based experts, the text shows the steps and strategies of successfully moving from the science of solar cells to commercial device production. Chapters focus on technologies that lead to increased efficiencies, longer usable life and lower costs. Highlighted are ways to fabricate solar cells from a range of polymers and develop them into marketable commodities. Special consideration is given to solar cells as intellectual property.

Printable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells A comprehensive exploration of printable perovskite solar cells and their potential for commercialization In Printable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells, a team of distinguished researchers delivers an accessible and incisive discussion of the principles, technologies, and fabrication processes associated with the manufacture and use of perovskite solar cells. The authors detail the properties, characterization methods, and technologies for halide perovskite materials and devices and explain printable processing technologies, mesoscopic anode and cathodes, and spacer layers for printable perovskite solar cells. In the book, you’ll find expansive discussions of the stability issues inherent in perovskite solar cells and explore the potential for scaling and commercializing the printing of perovskite solar cells, complete with real-world industry data. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to the background and fundamentals of perovskite solar cells Comprehensive explorations of the characterization methods and technologies used with halide perovskite materials and devices Practical discussions of printable processing technologies for perovskite solar cells Fulsome treatments of the stability issues associated with perovskite solar cells and potential solutions for them Perfect for materials scientists, solid state physicists and chemists, and electronics engineers, Printable Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells will also benefit surface chemists and physicists.

Organic solar cells have emerged as new promising photovoltaic devices due to their potential applications in large area, printable and flexible solar panels. Organic Solar Cells: Materials and Device Physics offers an updated review on the topics covering the synthesis, properties and applications of new materials for various critical roles in devices from electrodes, interface and carrier transport materials, to the active layer composed of donors and acceptors. Addressing the important device physics issues of carrier and exciton dynamics and interface stability and novel light trapping structures, the potential for hybrid organic solar cells to provide high efficiency solar cells is examined and discussed in detail. Specific chapters covers key areas including: Latest research and designs for highly effective polymer donors/acceptors and interface materials Synthesis and application of highly transparent and conductive graphene Exciton and charge dynamics for in-depth understanding of the mechanism underlying organic solar cells. New potentials and emerging functionalities of plasmonic effects in OSCs Interface Degradation Mechanisms in organic photovoltaics improving the entire device lifetime Device architecture and operation mechanism of organic/ inorganic hybrid solar cells for next generation of high performance photovoltaics This reference can be practically and theoretically applied by senior undergraduates, postgraduates, engineers, scientists, researchers, and project managers with some fundamental knowledge in organic and inorganic semiconductor materials or devices.

Recent advancements in inkjet technology have enabled the material printing of semiconductor devices. Due to potential cost reduction and simple design customization, inkjet printing has become a significant field of semiconductor research. The purpose of this design project was to develop a solar cell printing process, fabricate the solar cell using the Dimatix materials printer (DMP)-2850, and evaluate the performance of the cell. A solar cell printing process based on existing research was developed. Multiple layers of material ink were deposited on a glass substrate using the DMP-2850 materials printer. The organic solar cell stack structure consists of four different material layers. Each material layer required unique printing parameter settings to produce the desired patterns. Throughout the fabrication process, the solar cell was heated on a hot plate between material layer printing. The developed printing process was implemented to produce functional solar cells. The performance of the solar cell was evaluated using an electronic heat lamp (ELH) light source, Keithley source meter, and current-voltage (IV) software on a computer. The solar cells were exposed to the light source and a voltage-current sweep was performed. Voltage vs current plots were obtained using the IV software. The voltage-current curves depict the open-circuit voltage and closed-circuit current of the solar cells. The developed printing process has successfully been utilized to fabricate fully printed solar cells. The evaluation process characterized the open-circuit voltage and closed-circuit current of the solar cells when exposed to a specific light source. The developed printing process will serve as a baseline for further solar cell research at Weber State University.

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject Technology, grade: 1,0, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, course: Nanotechnologie, language: English, abstract: This bachelor thesis presents the fabrication and evaluation of large-scale full-solution roll-to-roll processed, ITO-free flexible organic solar cells in a modified inverted device geometry by gravure printing on a discrete laboratory-scale printing system. The layer stack is based on flexible PET substrate whereupon the back silver cathode was printed on top. The electron transport layer of ZnO and a double light absorbing photoactive layer of P3HT:PCBM, the hole transport layer of PEDOT:PSS and front silver anode were printed consecutively. All layers were roll-to-roll gravure printed from solution under full ambient vacuum-free conditions at a web speed of 2 m min−1. The completed solar cells were characterized by J-V and comprising layers by light beam induced current measurements. For fast testing and reproducibility experiments the remaining layers of the stack after each gravure printed film were deposited by slot-die coating and flexographic printing on a single roll coating system. Unfortunately functional organic solar cells of a fully gravure printed layer stack could not be found. A power conversion efficiency of 0.15 % of partly roll-to-roll gravure printed and residuary roll-based slot-die coated and flexographic printed organic solar cells under AM1.5G illumination was obtained. The thesis contains a brief introduction in the topic of renewable energies and organic photovoltaic followed by the state of art in two-dimensional gravure printing organic solar cells and the motivation to particularly foreground this fabrication method. In the fundamentals part the working principle, device geometries, affiliated by the concept of ITO-free organic solar cells and materials in an organic photovoltaic device including characterization methods are presented. Afterwards large-scale manufacturing techniques of organic photovoltaic comprising coating and printing technologies are reviewed and the roll-to-roll manufacturing strategies are introduced. In the experimental part the design, machinery and equipment used and fabrication of gravure printed flexible organic solar cell are chronologically described in detail in connection with presenting and discussing the results after characterizing the completed solar cells. Challenges that were faced during the studies are described subsequently and solutions of appeared problems are presented. A conclusion and outlook finalizes the thesis.