Photovoltaic cell
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Advances in Photovoltaic Cell Technologies
Organic Photovoltaic Cells: Structure and Efficiency
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have garnered significant attention due to their potential for low-cost, flexible, and lightweight solar energy solutions. These cells typically consist of electrodes (such as indium-tin oxide, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene for the anode, and calcium, barium, or aluminum for the cathode), hole transport layers (like PEDOT:PSS), and electron transport layers (such as ZnO or TiO2). The active layer comprises donor materials like P3HT or PTB7 and acceptor materials such as C60, C70 fullerenes, and their PCBM derivatives, as well as non-fullerene acceptors1.
The working principle of OPVs involves the generation of photocurrent from photon absorption, leading to exciton formation. These excitons diffuse to the donor-acceptor interface and dissociate into free carriers, which are then collected by the electrodes1. Despite their advantages, OPVs face challenges in power conversion efficiency, stability, degradation, and large-area fabrication1.
Recent advancements have shown promising improvements. For instance, a new polymer donor (PTO2) and a non-fullerene acceptor (IT-4F) have enabled a single-junction OPV to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 14.7%. This efficiency is attributed to efficient charge generation at a low driving force and the formation of loosely bound charge pairs with extended lifetimes, which reduce recombination losses4.
Comparative Analysis of Photovoltaic Technologies
Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have seen remarkable development, particularly in the last five years. Key technologies include single-crystalline GaAs, Si, GaInP, InP, multicrystalline Si, and thin films of polycrystalline CdTe and CuInxGa1−xSe2. Emerging technologies such as lead halide perovskites, sustainable chalcogenides, organic PVs, and quantum dots have also shown significant progress2.
Comparative analysis reveals that while traditional silicon-based cells dominate the market due to their moderate cost and efficiency, newer technologies like perovskites and organic PVs offer potential for higher efficiencies and lower production costs. Cross-fertilization between these technologies often leads to evolutionary advancements, making breakthroughs in one area beneficial to others2.
Indoor Photovoltaic Cells: Market and Technical Challenges
Indoor photovoltaic cells are poised to power the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, including distributed sensors, actuators, and communication devices. As the power requirements for these devices decrease, the demand for indoor photovoltaics is expected to grow significantly. However, technical challenges such as creating energy-autonomous sensors at viable price points and overcoming commercial barriers remain3.
Conjugated Polymer Photovoltaic Cells
Conjugated polymers are attractive for PV cells due to their strong absorption and low-cost deposition on flexible substrates. However, cells made with a single polymer and two electrodes tend to be inefficient because photogenerated excitons are not easily split by the built-in electric field. Efficiency can be improved by using an interface between two semiconductors with offset energy levels. Blending polymers with electron-accepting materials like C60 derivatives, cadmium selenide, and titanium dioxide has achieved power conversion efficiencies of nearly 4%. Optimizing cell architecture and reducing the polymer band gap could potentially increase efficiencies to over 10%6.
Inorganic Photovoltaic Cells
Inorganic PV cells use materials such as crystalline, multicrystalline, amorphous, and microcrystalline silicon, III-V compounds, CdTe, and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). These materials offer various advantages in terms of efficiency and stability. The structure and manufacturing methods of these devices have been extensively developed, leading to significant achievements in the field9.
Conclusion
The field of photovoltaic cell technology is rapidly evolving, with significant advancements in both organic and inorganic materials. While traditional silicon-based cells continue to dominate the market, emerging technologies like organic PVs and perovskites offer promising alternatives with potential for higher efficiencies and lower costs. Overcoming technical and commercial challenges will be crucial for the widespread adoption of these innovative technologies.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
A review on organic photovoltaic cell
Organic photovoltaic cells are simple to manufacture, less expensive, more flexible, and lightweight, but need to overcome challenges in power conversion efficiency, stability, degradation, lifetime, and large-area fabrication.
Systematic ReviewPhotovoltaic solar cell technologies: analysing the state of the art
Solar photovoltaic cell technologies have significantly advanced over the past 5 years, with improvements in power conversion efficiencies, control over optoelectronic quality, and potential for future technological progress.
Highly CitedTechnology and Market Perspective for Indoor Photovoltaic Cells
Indoor photovoltaic cells have the potential to power the Internet of Things, but technical and commercial challenges must be overcome to create viable energy autonomous sensors and accelerate their market adoption.
Highly Cited14.7% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaic Cells Enabled by Active Materials with a Large Electrostatic Potential Difference.
Organic photovoltaic cells with a 14.7% efficiency can be further improved by modulating the molecular electrostatic potential between donor and acceptor materials.
Highly CitedA detailed modeling method for photovoltaic cells
This paper presents a computer simulation model that effectively simulates photovoltaic cells' output features under various irradiance and temperature conditions, proving its efficiency.
Highly CitedConjugated Polymer Photovoltaic Cells
Blending conjugated polymers with electron-accepting materials can achieve efficiencies of over 10% in photovoltaic cells, with potential for higher efficiency by optimizing cell architecture and reducing the polymer's band gap.
Highly CitedTwo‐layer organic photovoltaic cell
The two-layer organic photovoltaic cell fabricated from copper phthalocyanine and perylene tetracarboxylic derivative achieves 1% power conversion efficiency and has a relatively independent charge-generation efficiency, with high fill factor values.
Highly CitedMaterials for Photovoltaics: State of Art and Recent Developments
The 4th generation of photovoltaic cells, combining inorganic nanostructures and organic nanomaterials, offers low cost and flexibility while maintaining high efficiency and production costs.
Highly CitedInorganic photovoltaic cells
Inorganic photovoltaic cells, made from materials such as Si, III-V compounds, CdTe, and CIGS, have shown promising performance in solar cell technology.
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