Conductive polymer films as electrodes in organic solar cells

Healey, John (2020) Conductive polymer films as electrodes in organic solar cells. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

As predictions on the future of Earth's climate have grown increasingly dire, it has become clear that a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is necessary. Organic solar cells (OSCs) are an emerging photovoltaics technology with several advantages over traditional silicon-based cells including low manufacturing cost, high exibility, and high transparency. However, most OSC architectures still use inorganic Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) as the anode material, increasing costs and reducing sustainability of the manufacturing process. In this study, the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is investigated as an alternative anode material for OSCs, and its performance as an anode is optimized. It was found that ITO possesses a higher transmittance in the solar spectrum than PEDOT:PSS, and that ITO synergizes better with existing standards such as the P3HT:PCBM active layer material. Electrical tests were inconclusive, so it is left to future work to determine conclusively the suitability of PEDOT:PSS as an anode material for OSCs.

Item Type: Other
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/15471
Item ID: 15471
Additional Information: Includes bibliographical references (pages 50-53).
Department(s): Science, Faculty of > Physics and Physical Oceanography
Date: April 2020
Date Type: Submission
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Solar cells--Materials; Polymers; Thin films; Coatings.

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