Achieving Net Zero Energy Greenhouses by Integrating Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells

Ravishankar, Eshwar; Booth, Ronald E.; Saravitz, Carole H.; Sederoff, Heike; Ade, Harald; O’Connor, Brendan T.

doi:10.1016/j.joule.2019.12.018

Cited by 199 publications

(143 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…These features offer specific applications in transparent architectures, ranging from smart windows to roofs, buildings, and greenhouses, thus opening new markets for OPVs. [ 1–9 ] Despite the tremendous advancement in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OPVs in recent years due to the development of novel semiconducting materials and device engineering, solution‐processable transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) have been one of the critical components to realize fully printable semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPVs). In recent reports, thin metallic films (Al, Au, Ag) were commonly used as the transparent top electrodes for state‐of‐the‐art ST‐OPVs, which are based on energy‐intensive evaporation processes and not compatible with the low‐cost roll‐to‐roll fabrication in the ambient environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Bimodal Silver Nanowire Network as Top Electrodes for Reproducible and High‐Efficiency Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

et al. 2020

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Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) provide a potentially facile route for some applications in building integrated photovoltaics. One of the challenges in developing large-scale, printable ST-OPVs is to address the need for highperformance and fully solution-processed top electrodes, allowing the replacement of the evaporated thin metallic films (Ag, Au, and Al). Silver nanowire (AgNW) is considered a promising candidate for the substitution due to its excellent transparency, conductivity, and solution processability. Herein, a novel bimodal AgNW (AgNW-BM) electrode is reported, comprising AgNWs of two different aspect ratios. It is shown that the AgNW-BM film achieves lower sheet resistance and higher visible transmittance than each monodisperse AgNW film, respectively. Furthermore, ST-OPVs based on PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F with AgNW-BM top electrodes are fabricated, which can obtain a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.49% with an average visible transmittance (AVT) of 33%. The ST-devices also demonstrate an enhanced reproducibility and excellent color-rendering index of 90. In addition, the bimodal top electrode is successfully implemented in the PM6:Y6 system with a higher PCE of 9.79% and with an AVT of 23%, demonstrating the universality for various semiconductor systems. Our work provides a simple strategy to realize fully solution-processed, highly efficient ST-OPVs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Bimodal Silver Nanowire Network as Top Electrodes for Reproducible and High‐Efficiency Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

et al. 2020

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“…OPVs can be tailored to the specific needs of the system, and thus are of interest in alternative applications where some degree of transparency or a certain aesthetic is required (e.g. window coverings and greenhouses) 47,48,49,50,51 . Additionally, the photosynthetic portion of such a combined system could be filled by a number of algal and agricultural candidates, from algae grown to produce biofuels and bioproducts, to crops grown for a variety of agricultural and commercial functions, further expanding potential applications for these technologies 52 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light Manipulation Using Organic Semiconducting Materials for Enhanced Photosynthesis

et al. 2020

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Photosynthetic microorganisms, such as algae, are sources of bioproducts and pharmaceuticals. As they require only sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, they have potential for future mitigation of CO2 emissions. However, inefficiencies in the growth of these organisms remains an issue for realizing these emission reductions, primarily in terms of photosynthetic efficiency, photoinhibition, and photolimitation. Here, we show how the use of light filtration through semi-transparent films comprised of organic πconjugated molecules and subsequent organic photovoltaic devices, has the potential to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of algae, and the total power generation of a combined organic photovoltaic/algae system. Experimental data is used to fit a photosynthetic model predicting algal photosynthetic growth given light intensity and light transmission through an organic photovoltaic device. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using a system combining photosynthetic growth with electricity-producing organic photovoltaics and provides a template for exploring other blended applications of these technologies. 3 Main The mass cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, collectively referred to herein as "algae" is of interest to agricultural, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. However, challenges including suboptimal photosynthetic efficiency and high operating expenses persist in large scale operations 1,2. This results in a high price point for algae feedstock, which makes algae biomass currently unsuitable for biofuel applications 3,4. The theoretical maximum efficiency of photosynthesis has been estimated between 8-12%, but in practice, photosynthetic efficiency is often much lower, around 1% 5,6,7. In algae, high photosynthetic efficiency is only realized at very low light intensities 8 , but can be improved by using red light, at wavelengths close to those absorbed by reaction-center chlorophyll and accessory light-absorbing pigment molecules 7,9,10,11,12. For photosynthetic applications of algae, the obvious choice for an abundant and sustainable light source is sunlight. However, direct sunlight encompasses the entire spectrum and has high intensity, causing photoinhibition and decreases in photosynthetic efficiency, in some cases completely killing algae cultures 13. Similar to photosynthesis, photoexcitation of the materials in organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) induces charge separation, which can subsequently be used for conversion of light energy into usable electricity. OPVs have active layers comprised of organic π-conjugated materials (typically polymers or small molecules) that can be tailored to absorb light at desired wavelengths, while remaining transparent in other parts of the spectrum 14,15,16. Here we investigate if OPVs, when used as electricity-producing light filters, improve the feasibility of algae biotechnology. We explore through experiments and modeling, if this combination of technologies increases solar power conversions, leading to the potential for energetic gains ...

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“…Ravishankar et al applied a PC (LiF/MoO 3 /LiF/MoO 3 ) to adjust the spectral absorption of ST‐OPVs to minimize the attenuation of sunlight and achieve net‐zero‐energy greenhouses (Figure 3b). [ 191 ] They developed an energy model to simulate the energy load, solar power generation, and light entering the greenhouse.…”

Section: Semitransparent Opvs and Pscsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress on Advanced Optical Structures for Emerging Photovoltaics and Photodetectors

Chen

Tan

Hsu

et al. 2020

Adv Energy and Sustain Res

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Organic‐ and perovskite‐based optoelectronics, which merge excellent optoelectronic properties with potentially large and high‐throughput manufacturing, have attracted attention as emerging revolutionary technologies with considerable practical applications. Herein, the recent progresses in organic‐ and perovskite‐based photovoltaics and photodetectors with integration of judicious optical structure designs are summarized. The characterization and performance metrics of such devices from the perspectives of device architecture, physics, and material science are studied. Research related to devices having dielectric mirrors, diffracted Bragg reflectors/photonic crystals, microcavities, and 2D photonic structures as design elements is discussed. Some suggestions of promising directions for future studies are concluded.

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Achieving Net Zero Energy Greenhouses by Integrating Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells

Cited by 199 publications

References 51 publications

Novel Bimodal Silver Nanowire Network as Top Electrodes for Reproducible and High‐Efficiency Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

Novel Bimodal Silver Nanowire Network as Top Electrodes for Reproducible and High‐Efficiency Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

Light Manipulation Using Organic Semiconducting Materials for Enhanced Photosynthesis

Recent Progress on Advanced Optical Structures for Emerging Photovoltaics and Photodetectors

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