Third-generation solar cells: a review and comparison of polymer:fullerene, hybrid polymer and perovskite solar cells

Abstract

RSC Adv. 4 (2014)

Theoretical estimation of the rate of photoinduced charge transfer reactions in triphenylamine C60 donor–acceptor conjugate

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The interest in fullerene DSSCs is mainly due to the fact that they are a low-cost replacement for silicon-based solar cells and they are associated to profitable manufacturing and negligible toxicity. [9][10][11][12][13][14] The reference system for fullerene DSSCs is the blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM).…”

Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell

“…On the other hand, solar cells fabricated from organic semiconductor materials are likely to be much cheaper since they can be potentially assembled using current polymer processing technologies, and such systems can take advantage of the inherent advantages associated with polymers in terms of construction, design, aesthetic appeal, and flexibility in application [2]. However, to date, solar cells made from organic semiconductor polymers are less efficient than inorganic systems, and are prone to environmental degradations [2,3,8]. In an effort to improve the suitability of semiconductor polymers for device fabrication, small organic or inorganic molecules or a combination of both, with or without incorporation of nanomaterials have been employed [15].…”

“…Technological advancement and population growth has brought about a huge demand for energy globally [1][2][3]. Renewable sources of energy are seen as viable alternatives in an effort to meet the growing energy demand, as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other deleterious environmental effects which occur from using fossil fuels.…”

“…These include dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC) [9], inorganic and organic solar cells (OSC) [2,3,8,10], and various other hybrid systems [2,3]. Widespread and most commercially successful systems are inorganic solar cells; specifically silicon based, and these can be monocrystalline [11], polycrystalline [12], or amorphous [13].…”

“…Amongst the possible renewable sources; solar energy is considered as an inexhaustible and relatively clean source of energy. Considerable and continual efforts to utilise this sustainable energy supply has been a global focus for the last few decades [2][3][4]. This includes development of modified energy storage and conversion devices such as batteries [5], super capacitors [6], light emitting diodes (LEDs) [7], and solar cells [2,3,8].…”