Lifetime analysis and degradation study of polymer solar cells

Remi de Bettignies; Jocelyne Leroy; Sylvain Chambon; Muriel Firon; Carole Sentein; Lionel Sicot; Laurence Lutsen

doi:10.1117/12.560737

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3 November 2004 Lifetime analysis and degradation study of polymer solar cells

Remi de Bettignies, Jocelyne Leroy, Sylvain Chambon, Muriel Firon, Carole Sentein, Lionel Sicot, Laurence Lutsen

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Proceedings Volume 5520, Organic Photovoltaics V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.560737
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Though being much less efficient than silicon cells, organic solar cells exhibit a unique combination of interesting properties: low cost, flexibility, and the possibility of large surface coverage. Large progresses have been made over the last years using MDMO-PPV (Poly[2-methoxy-5-(3’,7’-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) reaching efficiencies of 2.9% and recently efficiencies over 3%, using poly(3-hexyl thiophene). A great deal of research however has still to be invested to improve the current state of the art. Among the main key-points to be addressed are namely the stability and lifetime of such devices. We are currently working on bulk heterojunction solar cells made from MDMO-PPV and PCBM (methano-fullerene[6,6]-phenyl C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester). Different batches of MDMO-PPV, originating from different synthesis modes (classical "Gilch" synthesis and "Sulphinyl" synthesis led by IMEC-IMOMEC) have been tested. Evolution of the power efficiency following continuous illumination (AM1.5, 80 mW.cm^-2) was characterized under controlled atmosphere of nitrogen. In parallel, photodegradation studies are also investigated and electrical modeling is under way in order to get a better understanding of the relations between photochemical and electrical parameters of the diode that can be deduced from I/V curves.

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Remi de Bettignies, Jocelyne Leroy, Sylvain Chambon, Muriel Firon, Carole Sentein, Lionel Sicot, and Laurence Lutsen "Lifetime analysis and degradation study of polymer solar cells", Proc. SPIE 5520, Organic Photovoltaics V, (3 November 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.560737

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