Progress in Stability of Organic Solar Cells

Abstract

The organic solar cell (OSC) is a promising emerging low‐cost thin film photovoltaics technology. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OSCs has overpassed 16% for single junction and 17% for organic–organic tandem solar cells with the development of low bandgap organic materials synthesis and device processing technology. The main barrier of commercial use of OSCs is the poor stability of devices. Herein, the factors limiting the stability of OSCs are summarized. The limiting stability factors are oxygen, water, irradiation, heating, metastable morphology, diffusion of electrodes and buffer layers materials, and mechanical stress. The recent progress in strategies to increase the stability of OSCs is surveyed, such as material design, device engineering of active layers, employing inverted geometry, optimizing buffer layers, using stable electrodes and encapsulation materials. The International Summit on Organic Photovoltaic Stability guidelines are also discussed. The potential research strategies to achieve the required device stability and efficiency are highlighted, rendering possible pathways to facilitate the viable commercialization of OSCs.

Characterising Exciton Generation in Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

“…The basic structure of a BHJ OSC consists of an active layer composed of two types of blended organic semiconductor materials, a donor and an acceptor [ 12 ]. The photogeneration of excitons can occur in both the materials, but when excitons reach a donor-acceptor interface (D-A), the charge transfer (CT) excitons are formed such that the donor donates electrons and accepts holes whereas the acceptor donates holes and accepts electrons [ 13 ].…”

Interface Modification Enabled by Atomic Layer Deposited Ultra‐Thin Titanium Oxide for High‐Efficiency and Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells

“…[ 1–4 ] In the recent 2 years, ascribing to significant developments in new organic materials and device engineering strategies, OSCs are considered to reach its second golden age with the profoundly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device stability. [ 5–7 ] Although the light‐absorbing layer is essential, the charge transport layer also plays a significant role in achieving high device performance in OSCs, as it promotes the charge carrier transport and protects the active layer from the air penetration in the device. [ 8,9 ] Due to its high electron mobility, high transparency, and the suitable energy level, zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most widely used electron transport layer (ETL) for OSCs.…”

Optimising Non-Patterned MoO3/Ag/MoO3 Anode for High-Performance Semi-Transparent Organic Solar Cells towards Window Applications

“…Organic solar cells (OSCs) have the benefits of inexpensive fabrication, flexibility, lightweight, and nature of semitransparency [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Recently, OSCs have attracted significant research attention, and many researchers have been devoted to improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of the device [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. A short time ago, the PCE of the single-junction and tandem OSCs had recorded 18.22% and 17.36%, respectively [ 8 , 9 ].…”