Premium
Simple, Highly Efficient Vacuum‐Processed Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells Based on Merocyanine Dyes
Author(s) -
Steinmann Vera,
Kronenberg Nils M.,
Lenze Martin R.,
Graf Steven M.,
Hertel Dirk,
Meerholz Klaus,
Bürckstümmer Hannah,
Tulyakova Elena V.,
Würthner Frank
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201100283
Subject(s) - materials science , merocyanine , organic solar cell , optoelectronics , solar cell , stack (abstract data type) , polymer solar cell , heterojunction , polymer , nanotechnology , computer science , composite material , photochromism , programming language
In order to be competitive on the energy market, organic solar cells with higher efficiency are needed. To date, polymer solar cells have retained the lead with efficiencies of up to 8%. However, research on small molecule solar cells has been catching up throughout recent years and is showing similar efficiencies, however, only for more sophisticated multilayer device configurations. In this work, a simple, highly efficient, vacuum‐processed small molecule solar cell based on merocyanine dyes – traditional colorants that can easily be mass‐produced and purified – is presented. In the past, merocyanines have been successfully introduced in solution‐processed as well as vacuum‐processed devices, demonstrating efficiencies up to 4.9%. Here, further optimization of devices is achieved while keeping the same simple layer stack, ultimately leading to efficiencies beyond the 6% mark. In addition, physical properties such as the charge carrier transport and the cell performance under various light intensities are addressed.