Japanese Researchers Identify Mechanism Behind Deterioration of Organic Thin Film Solar Cells

The University of Tsukuba and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) announced on March 1, 2012, that Associate Professor Kazuhiro Marumoto at the University of Tsukuba has identified how organic thin film solar cells deteriorate at the molecular level. The research results were published online in a summary edition of Advanced Energy Materials, a science journal published in Germany, on the same day.

By improving on the Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) method, Associate Professor Marumoto and his team have succeeded in developing a micro-level analysis and measurement method that makes it possible to identify the sites of structural defects in a solar cell.

Using this new method, they found out that charges having harmful effects on the initial characters of elements are created at the interface between a positive charge (positive hole) extraction layer and a pentacene layer.

The method has the advantage of enabling more accurate observation of charge states and molecular orientation in the inner structure. It is expected that the establishment of this method will greatly contribute to the development of better organic thin film solar cells, for example by allowing for clearer guidelines for materials selection, improving characteristics, and achieving higher efficiencies.

Understanding Dye-Loading Mechanism at Interface Advances Next-Generation Solar Cell Study (Related JFS article)

Posted: 2012/05/17 06:00:15 AM