Hostname: page-component-5cf477f64f-2wr7h Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-08T00:07:56.987Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Organic-Based Photovoltaics: Toward Low-Cost Power Generation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Sean E. Shaheen ,
David S. Ginley  and
Ghassan E. Jabbour

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Harvesting energy directly from sunlight using photovoltaic technology is a way to address growing global energy needs with a renewable resource while minimizing detrimental effects on the environment by reducing atmospheric emissions. This issue of MRS Bulletin on “Organic-Based Photovoltaics” looks at a new generation of solar cells that have the potential to be produced inexpensively. Recent advances in solar power conversion efficiencies have propelled organic-based photovoltaics out of the realm of strictly fundamental research at the university level and into the industrial laboratory setting. Fabricated from organic materials—polymers and molecules—these devices are potentially easier to manufacture than current technologies based on silicon or other materials. In this introductory article, we describe the motivation for pursuing research in this field and provide an overview of the various technical approaches that have been developed to date.We conclude by discussing the challenges that need to be overcome in order for organic photovoltaics to realize their potential as an economically viable path to harvesting energy from sunlight.

Keywords

electron acceptorsenergy productionexcitonsmetal oxide semiconductorsnanostructuresorganic semiconductorsphotovoltaicspolymerspower generationquantum dotssolar cells.
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Bulletin , Volume 30 , Issue 1: Technical Theme: Organic–Based Photovoltaics , January 2005 , pp. 10 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

References

1.International Electricity Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electric.html#Consumption (accessed December 2004).Google Scholar
2.Annual Energy Review 2003, U.S. Dept. of Energy, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/contents.html (accessed December 2004).Google Scholar
3.U.S. Photovoltaic Industry Roadmap, U.S. Dept. of Energy, http://www.nrel.gov/ncpv/pvmenu.cgi?site=ncpv&idx=3&body=infores.html (accessed December 2004).Google Scholar
4.Queisser, W., J. App. Phys. 32 (3) (1961) p. 510.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Shockley, W. and Queisser, H.J., J. App. Phys. 32 (3) (1961) p. 510.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Zweibel, K., Von Roedern, B., and Ullal, H., “Finally: Thin-film PV!” Photon Int. (October 2004) p. 48.Google Scholar
7.Green, M.A., Physica E 14 (1–2) (2002) p. 65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Collins, G., Sci. Am. (August 2004) p. 74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.de Leeuw, D.M., Phys. World 12 (3) (1999) p. 31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Shaheen, S.E., Radspinner, R., Peyghambarian, N., and Jabbour, G.E., Appl. Phys. Lett. 79 (18) (2001) p. 2996.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Gregg, B.A. and Hanna, M.C., J. Appl. Phys. 93 (6) (2003) p. 3605.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Tang, C.W., Appl. Phys. Lett. 48 (2) (1986) p. 183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Bredas, J.L., Calbert, J.P., da Silva Filho, D.A., and Cornil, J., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 99 (9) (2002) p. 5804.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Blom, P.W.M., de Jong, M.J.M., and van Munster, M.G., Phys. Rev. B 55 (2) (1997) p. R656.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Bässler, H., Phys. Status Solidi B 175 (1993) p. 15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Novikov, S.V., Dunlap, D.H., Kenkre, V.M., Parris, P.E., and Vannikov, A.V., Phys. Rev. Lett. 81 (20) (1998) p. 4472.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Shaheen, S.E. and Ginley, D.S., “Photovoltaics for the Next Generation: Organic-Based Solar Cells,” in Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, edited by Schwarz, J.A., Contescu, C., and Putyera, K. (Marcel Dekker, New York, 2004), p. 2879.Google Scholar
18.Zweibel, K., Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 63 (4) (2000) p. 375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Maycock, P., PV News (February 2003).Google Scholar
20.Margolis, R.M., “Photovoltaic Technology Experience Curves and Markets,” NCPV Solar Program Review Meeting, Denver, CO (2003).Google Scholar
21.Green, M.A., “Third generation photovoltaics: concepts for high efficiency at low cost,” Proc. Electrochem. Soc. 10 (2001) p. 3.Google Scholar