Organic Solar Cells

Elizabeth Thomsen

Organic Semiconductors

Organic

Semi Conductor

Artists impression!

Organic Semiconductors

Combine the virtues of

plastics with those of
semiconductors
High optical absorption
coefficients
Properties tuned with
flexible synthesis
Low cost fabrication

Organic Solar Cells

Potential for
medium
efficiency, very
low cost solar
cells

Organic Solar Cells

Absorption of photons
to form excitons

Charge separation
of excitons

Charge extraction
of carriers

Conjugated materials

Polymers generally
insulating
Alternating single and
double bonds (conjugated)
electrons able to
delocalise into clouds
above and below the chain
Bandgap suitable for
absorption of sunlight

Active Layer Materials

Hole
transporter

Electron
transporter

Conjugated
polymer

Fullerenes

Conjugated
dendrimer/
small molecule

Nanocrystals

Conjugated material:
nanocrystal composites

Typically nanocrystals synthesised separately to

polymer, then mixed
Disadvantages

Nanocrystal surfactant inhibits charge transfer

Co-solvents required for mixing: can adversely affect
nanocrystal solubility and polymer chain orientation

One-pot synthesis of conjugated polymer:

nanocrystal composite developed by Watt et al.
Extended this synthesis to a conjugated oligomer
and a dendrimer

Conjugated small molecule:

nanocrystal composite
Oligomer
Dendrimer

PbS

Toluene
DMSO
Oligomer
Cadmium
acetate
110C

Sulphur
flakes in
toluene

CdS

Oligomer:
CdS in
chlorobenzene

Oligomer: CdS

CdS Rods

Final thoughts

Grew PbS and CdS nanocrystals in oligomer, PbS

nanocrystals in dendrimer
Highly likely the synthesis can be generalised to a
variety of conjugated soluble small molecule:
nanocrystal systems
Combination of materials extends the absorption
spectrum
Direct interaction between the small molecule and
the nanocrystal is likely to enable efficient charge
separation
Shape control of nanoparticles may improve charge
transfer through the device

Acknowledgements

Alexandros Stravinadis
Andrew Watt

Thankyou for listening!