Team 1 (H. Soliman, A. Al-Kuwari, A. Haque, G. Al-Ghanem, M. Al-Abidi, A.

Aldeakira)
Dr Naqaa Abbas
Problem Statement
23 March 2024

Low Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells by P3HT Degradation

Introduction

In Qatar's journey towards sustainable energy, solar power plays a pivotal role, especially given the fact
Qatar is a sun-rich country. Solar cells are a critical component of solar panels and are essential for
converting sunlight into electrical energy. Qatar's focus on enhancing the efficiency and reliability of
these cells aligns with its broader environmental and economic goals. Traditionally, solar cells have been
made from inorganic materials like silicon, known for their efficiency and durability. However, with the
evolving energy landscape in Qatar, there is a growing interest in organic solar cells. These cells, made
from carbon-based materials, offer the potential for lower production costs and environmental benefits,
making them an appealing alternative for Qatar's sustainable energy solutions, despite their current
limitations in efficiency and durability compared to silicon-based cells.

An important part of improving organic solar cells is a material called P3HT. P3HT stands for
Poly(3-hexylthiophene), which is a type of organic polymer. In simpler terms, it is a long chain-like
molecule made up of many repeating units, and it belongs to a family of materials known as conductive
polymers. What makes P3HT special is its ability to conduct electricity, a property not commonly found in
ordinary plastics or polymers. This ability arises from its unique molecular structure, which allows
electrons to move along its chain. P3HT is beneficial in the field of solar energy. It plays a critical role in
organic solar cells, a type of photovoltaic cell that converts sunlight into electricity. The organic part of
P3HT refers to its composition, which includes carbon atoms, much like the molecules that make up
living organisms. This is in contrast to traditional solar cell materials like silicon, which are inorganic.

In a place like Qatar, with its extreme weather conditions – intense sunlight, high temperatures, and
humidity, P3HT faces significant degradation challenges. This degradation reduces the efficiency and
shortens the lifespan of solar cells, posing a hurdle in Qatar's journey towards sustainable energy.
Addressing the stability of P3HT in such environments is crucial. Enhancing its resilience can lead to more
durable and efficient solar cells, aligning with Qatar's goals for a sustainable, energy-secure future. By
advancing research in this area, Qatar can not only improve the performance of organic solar cells but
also set a precedent in the adoption of environmentally friendly energy technologies in challenging
climates.

Purpose
The main purpose of our team project is to distinguish solutions which minimize degradation of P3HT
and PCBM layers in solar cells, and utilizing solar cells that rely on P3HT and PCBM as a clean source of
renewable energy.
During the previous few decades, solar energy has become increasingly higher in demand, due to the
deterioration of other traditional sources such as fossil fuels. Solar cells containing organic materials such
as P3HT and PCBM polymers were found to be a sensible substitute, competing with other solar cells
which depend on silicon as an example, due to the high flexibility and cheaper prices of these polymer
materials.

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Evidence of degradation has been clearly noticed after further research on the polymer based solar cells,
as they are not quite durable. Tackling this issue could be achieved by examining various environmentally
friendly solutions, and by using different sources and materials provided here in Qatar.
Scope
This issue has both a local and a global scope. The degradation of solar cells composed of materials like
P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)) can raise concerns for different communities and demographics in Qatar.
Researchers and academics in Qatar who work in the fields of material science, engineering, and
renewable energy are the groups of most interest in the degradation of solar cells. Firms in Qatar who
manufacture, install, and maintain solar energy systems have the most interest in making sure solar cells
last for a long time and operate efficiently. Addressing degradation issues can result in solar panels that
are more dependable and long-lasting, which is beneficial for consumers and businesses together. The
general public in Qatar is becoming more interested in sustainability and renewable energy, including
citizens, companies, and consumers. By lowering energy prices and their negative effects on the
environment. Over the past ten years, significant progress has been achieved in raising the efficiency of
solar cells. Considering that cooling towers provide 70% of the energy used in Qatar. We can increase the
likelihood of reaching the 20% solar energy target by using the most recent advancements in solar cell
technology. Using solar energy is more expensive than using natural gas. For Qatar's future, solar energy
costs must be lowered. One of the goals of Qatar's national vision is to ensure that we can build a
brighter future. Renewable energy makes this possible. During the estimated vision duration, the Qatari
solar energy market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 15.5%. The country's energy transition goals
aimed to raise the currently low share of renewables in power generation. Although biofuels are more
reliable than solar energy in the whole country, competition from other renewable energy sources,
particularly the potential of green hydrogen, has limited the market.

Objectives
Our key objective for the team project is to determine the most adequate solutions for our problem,
which effectively favor the Qatar National Vision for 2030 as well. In order to ensure that our objective
has been achieved, the following guidelines must be maintained:
· Benefiting from the experiences of industry representatives and experts.
· comparing the costs of various solutions, through searching for the most efficient results,
whilst minimizing the cost as much as possible.
· Analysis of past research papers and materials, to gain positive insight by viewing possible
solutions for the problem.
· Utilizing available resources in Qatar, to extract a solution for our issue.
· Maintaining a study-friendly and respectful working environment as a group.
Previous and Current Research
A polymer is a molecule that is built from repeating units with chemical bonds between them. An
organic solar panel uses organic substances to generate electricity from sunlight. Since current solar
panels use inorganic materials that are harmful to the environment, current researchers are focusing on
an organic alternative for solar panels. However organic materials are not efficient and degrade quickly.
Poly(3-hexylthiophene) P3HT is an organic polymer that is used in solar panels, and [6,6]
phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is a chemical used in organic solar panels in conjunction
with P3HT for higher efficiency in producing electricity and to reduce degradation. Other methods to
increase efficiency include using thermal annealing, adding other chemicals, and using different
cathodes.

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The wavelength range of sunlight is between 0.4 and 0.8 micrometers. Having a solar panel with an ideal
wavelength in this range improves the efficiency of the solar panel. A review paper including past and
recent research (Sreejith et al.) demonstrates that using P3HT solar panels with PCBM in countries where
the wavelength of sunlight is in the range of 0.55 micrometers increases the efficiency of this organic
solar panel. The highest quantum efficiency is approximately 0.55 micrometers for the energy absorbed
by the solar panel.

Thermal annealing is a heating process that reduces the hardness of a material. Knowing the ideal
temperature and time of heating can increase the efficiency of the solar panel. An increased period of
thermal annealing up to 4240 seconds at 130℃ for another P3HT with PCBM solar panel leads to the
largest amount of light absorbed (Sreejith et al.) which increases electricity production.

Adding more chemicals to the solar panel can increase efficiency. Another P3HT with PCBM organic solar
panels using a 10 nanometer layer of Phosphine Oxide with a lithium fluoride interlayer had the best
results for producing higher current flow (Sreejith et al.). This can improve the performance of solar
panels by increasing the production of electricity.

A cathode is where current leaves the solar panel. Conversion efficiency is the amount of energy
converted into electricity. Improving the conversion efficiency is important to increase energy production
from solar panels. One of the promising results for producing electricity using organic solar panels was
by using P3HT with PCBM with an aluminum cathode to have a conversion efficiency of 3.9% (Sreejith et
al.). This setup had the highest conversion efficiency when compared to other P3HT solar panels.

In addition, researchers have explored ways to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells by introducing
two special materials, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), as layers within
the cell. MoO3 is used because it effectively transports positive charges (holes) and blocks negative
charges (electrons), enhancing the solar cell's ability to generate electricity. The addition of a CuPc layer
further improves the cell's performance by broadening its ability to absorb a wider range of sunlight
wavelengths. They found that the best performance was achieved when the MoO3 layer was 12 nm thick
and the CuPc layer was 6 nm thick, resulting in a significant increase in the solar cell's power conversion
efficiency, reaching up to 3.76%. Essentially, by adjusting these two layers to optimal thicknesses, the
solar cell's capability to convert sunlight into electricity was substantially enhanced.

F. Padinger, R.S. Rittberger, and N.S. Sariciftci published an article in Advanced Functional Materials in
2003 titled "Effects of post-production treatment on plastic solar cells" in which they examine the effects
of post-production treatments on plastic solar cell performance. They investigate several methods for
improving these gadgets' stability and effectiveness. The primary focus is how the morphology,
crystallinity, and charge transport characteristics of the active layer materials in plastic solar cells are
affected by chemical doping, solvent vapor annealing, and annealing. The authors shed light on the
mechanics behind these treatments and how they affect the overall performance of plastic solar cells
through their analysis and experimentation. They closely examine how various treatments, including
solvent vapor annealing, chemical doping, and annealing, affect the basic characteristics of the materials
used in the active layer. The effects of annealing, a controlled heating and cooling procedure, on the
morphology and crystallinity of the active layer are examined. The potential of solvent vapor annealing,
which entails subjecting the material to solvent vapors, to optimize the packing of polymer chains and
increase charge transport characteristics is investigated. The authors also investigate how chemical
doping affects the conductivity and charge carrier mobility of the active layer. The work clarifies the

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principles behind these treatments and their impact on the performance of plastic solar cells using a mix
of theoretical analysis and experimental data. Through the process of clarifying the complicated
connection between post-production treatments and device functionality, the research advances the
fabrication procedures targeted at increasing the stability and efficiency of plastic solar cell technology.

User Needs
● Primary: Primary users are the government agencies affected by recycling challenges of
inorganic solar panels which escalate the decommissioning cost and are looking for an efficient
but environmentally friendly organic solar panel. Although, the efficiency of organic solar panels
is limited by the degradation of the P3HT layer. Government agencies would possess needs that
focus on upscaling. As the demand for solar technology increases, solar panels need to be
manufactured at a quicker rate.
● Secondary: Secondary users are private industries which use or are looking to invest in organic
solar panels as a cleaner source of energy in their business. Specifically, those avoiding the
environmental problems associated with conventional inorganic solar panels such as waste
generation, chemical pollution and destructive resource extraction. Examples of private
industries that may use any potential solutions are the Qatar General Electricity & Water
Corporation Kahramaa or Total Energies. Their needs would be focused on increasing efficiency
by slowing P3HT degradation thereby maximising profit.

From these observations of different users, the user needs are identified:
● Cost-effectiveness: For the amount of money to construct and set up a solar panel, there needs
to be a profit. This could be done by ensuring affordability without sacrificing performance
through the use of economical materials and efficient manufacturing processes.
● Normal operation in heat: Given the high temperatures in Qatar, it is crucial for the solar panel
to not disable at high temperatures.
● Scalability: To meet energy demands, the ability to scale solar technology is necessary ensuring
constant quality and performance.
● Compatibility: Implementing P3HT solar cells to current systems and infrastructure needs to be
harmonic and seamless.

Design constraints
Due to their unavailability in Qatar, materials to create the solar panel, such as silica and the P3HT
polymer, are to be imported. Britain is an example of a country which exports P3HT and China is an
example of a country which exports silicon wafers. However, the assembly processes can be conducted
domestically. During manufacturing, it is imperative to minimize environmental impact and manage
waste responsibility. For maximal safety, performance and legal compliance, both the design and
production must comply with government regulations and relevant industry standards. Sustainability is a
key consideration in the design process to safeguard the needs of future generations. For instance, the
materials must be sourced ethically meaning suppliers must respect environmental protection standards,
ensure fair labour conditions and safe working environments. Given that the investigation of our
problem will only last for approximately two months, time is another constraint needed to be taken into
consideration. This will have an impact on our potential solution because time restrictions might have
prevented us from finding a better one. Nevertheless, given the time, our solution would be the best we
found in our capacity.
Conclusion

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To sum up, the importance of P3HT in solar cell technology cannot be emphasized, especially in light of
Qatar's rapidly expanding goals for renewable energy. As the Qatar National Vision 2030 emphasizes,
P3HT is essential to achieving the country's goals for sustainable energy resources. P3HT-based solar cells
offer a practical option for Qatar to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and reach its renewable energy
targets because of its capacity to capture an abundance of sunlight and offer a versatile substitute for
traditional photovoltaic technologies.

Furthermore, studies that are still in progress, have significantly stated the improved effectiveness,
equilibrium, and scaling of P3HT-based solar cell technology. These advancements represent a critical
step in improving the efficiency of solar energy consumption and providing financially viable solutions for
widespread utilization within Qatar's energy infrastructure.
Moreover, investment in P3HT-based solar cell research and implementation demonstrates Qatar's
dedication to being a leader in cutting-edge renewable energy solutions. To support Qatar's long-term
goals for energy security and environmental sustainability, articles that studied this solution highlight
how crucial it is to advance the stability and longevity of organic solar cell technology. By adopting
P3HT-based solar cells, Qatar's adoption of P3HT-based solar cells is consistent with its larger economic
goals and shows its commitment to international efforts to mitigate climate change. Qatar's robust
renewable energy industry stimulates innovation, generates job opportunities, and increases the
country's resilience to swings in the global energy market. Adopting P3HT-based solar cells strengthens
Qatar's leadership in renewable energy innovation and its dedication to sustainable economic
development on a national and global scale.

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