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Solar CellsAs the importance of renewable energy sources becomes more and more apparent, look to our top-quality journals for cutting-edge reports on solar cell and photovoltaic research.
In May 2007 the Institute for Scientific Information listed the Top 20 Most Cited Papers on Solar Cells, with papers published in Advanced Functional Materials number one on both lists:
Most cited paper (1997-2007):
Most cited paper (2005-2007):
Find all articles on solar cells in Wiley Online Library...
Amaresh Mishra, Peter Bäuerle
Small Molecule Organic Semiconductors on the Move: Promises for Future Solar Energy Technology [Review]
Energy from molecules: Solar cells incorporating small molecules and oligomers as light-absorbing materials are presented in this Review, in which structure–property–efficiency correlations are discussed for a vast number of organic semiconducting materials. These properties should help in the design of new and highly efficient materials.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., February 17, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201102326
Mutsumi Kimura, Hirotaka Nomoto, Naruhiko Masaki, Shogo Mori
Dye Molecules for Simple Co-Sensitization Process: Fabrication of Mixed-Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells [Communication]
Sensitive kind of dye: Co-sensitization of the TiO2 electrode using PcS15 and the dye D131 results in a dramatic enhancement of the photocurrent response for the entire visible-light region. This method provides a simple design for accessing dye-sensitized solar cells.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., February 8, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201108610
Wai Kei Cheung, Chris S. K. Mak, Wai Kin Chan
Heteroleptic Ruthenium(II) Complex-Containing Polymers and Their Bandgap Tuning and Photosensitizing Properties [Communication]
Conjugated polymers incorporated with heteroleptic ruthenium complexes were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed reaction. The electronic absorption of the polymer main chain was strongly dependent on the ligand on the metal center, which showed a significant red shift compared with the metal-free polymers. The potentials of using these polymers for photosensitizers in organic photovoltaic devices were demonstrated.
Macromol. Rapid Commun., February 8, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/marc.201100756
Tao Wang, Andrew J. Pearson, Alan D. F. Dunbar, Paul A. Staniec, Darren C. Watters, Hunan Yi, Anthony J. Ryan, Richard A. L. Jones, Ahmed Iraqi, David G. Lidzey
Correlating Structure with Function in Thermally Annealed PCDTBT:PC70BM Photovoltaic Blends [Full Paper]
In poly[N-9'-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'-benzothiadiazole) (PCDTBT) :(6,6)-phenyl C70-butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM) photovoltaic thin-films, the glass transition temperature is not sensitive to the relative blend-ratio or film thickness, but is sensitive to thermal treatment, casting solvent, and substrate. The π–π stacking between PCDTBT reduces upon thermal annealing, an observation that is correlate with reduced hole-mobility in thermally annealed devices. Coarse phase-separation in PCDTBT:PC70BM occurs upon annealing at or above 155 °C.
Adv. Funct. Mater., February 6, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102510
Bob C. Schroeder, Zhenggang Huang, Raja Shahid Ashraf, Jeremy Smith, Pasquale D'Angelo, Scott E. Watkins, Thomas D. Anthopoulos, James R. Durrant, Iain McCulloch
Silaindacenodithiophene-Based Low Band Gap Polymers – The Effect of Fluorine Substitution on Device Performances and Film Morphologies [Full Paper]
Fluorine is introduced into silaindacenodithiophene based semiconducting polymers with the aim to improve the photovoltaic as well as the charge carrier properties. The influence of the thienyl spacers and fluorine atoms on molecular packing and active layer morphology of the new polymers is investigated with regard to device performance.
Adv. Funct. Mater., February 6, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102941
Bong-Gi Kim, Chang-Gua Zhen, Eun Jeong Jeong, John Kieffer, Jinsang Kim
Organic Dye Design Tools for Efficient Photocurrent Generation in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Exciton Binding Energy and Electron Acceptors [Full Paper]
A combined computational and experimental design approach provides insight into the functioning of organic photosensitizer dyes for solar cell applications. Comparing calculations with measurements reveals that the exciton binding energy and quantum yield are inversely correlated. When a strong electron-accepting moiety is inserted in the middle of the dye framework, the light-to-electric energy conversion behavior significantly deteriorates.
Adv. Funct. Mater., February 6, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201101961
Xiangjun Wang, Thilini Ishwara, Wei Gong, Mariano Campoy-Quiles, Jenny Nelson, Donal D. C. Bradley
High-Performance Metal-Free Solar Cells Using Stamp Transfer Printed Vapor Phase Polymerized Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Top Anodes [Full Paper]
Xinjian Feng, Kai Zhu, Arthur J. Frank, Craig A. Grimes, Thomas E. Mallouk
Rapid Charge Transport in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Made from Vertically Aligned Single-Crystal Rutile TiO2 Nanowires [Communication]
A rapid solvothermal approach was used to synthesize aligned 1D single-crystal rutile TiO2 nanowire (NW) arrays on transparent conducting substrates as electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. The NW arrays showed a more than 200 times faster charge transport (see picture) and a factor four lower defect state density than conventional rutile nanoparticle films.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., February 2, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201108076
Krisztina Szendrei, Mark Speirs, Widianta Gomulya, Dorota Jarzab, Marianna Manca, Oleksandr V. Mikhnenko, Maksym Yarema, Bart J. Kooi, Wolfgang Heiss, Maria A. Loi
Exploring the Origin of the Temperature-Dependent Behavior of PbS Nanocrystal Thin Films and Solar Cells [Full Paper]
Peculiar temperature-dependent electrical and optical properties of cross-linked PbS nanocrystal thin films are demonstrated. Extensive modeling suggests diffusion-dominated charge transport through the inhomogeneously coupled nanocrystal arrays. After benzenedithiol treatment, the thin films exhibit unusual optical properties that can be attributed to partial relaxation of the quantum confinement and opening of alternative recombination pathways.
Adv. Funct. Mater., February 2, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102320
Felix Deschler, Antonietta De Sio, Elizabeth von Hauff, Peter Kutka, Tobias Sauermann, Hans-J. Egelhaaf, Jens Hauch, Enrico Da Como
The Effect of Ageing on Exciton Dynamics, Charge Separation, and Recombination in P3HT/PCBM Photovoltaic Blends [Full Paper]
The impact of light-induced degradation on the exciton and charge separation dynamics in the active layer of poly(3- hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM) organic solar cells is studied using optical pump-probe spectroscopy. The losses in excitons and polarons are quantified and compared to the degradation of solar cell performances in which the active layer has been selectively aged.
Adv. Funct. Mater., January 30, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201101923
Peter Cuony, Duncan T. L. Alexander, Ivan Perez-Wurfl, Matthieu Despeisse, Gregory Bugnon, Mathieu Boccard, Thomas Söderström, Aïcha Hessler-Wyser, Cécile Hébert, Christophe Ballif
Silicon Filaments in Silicon Oxide for Next-Generation Photovoltaics [Communication]
Nanometer wide silicon filaments embedded in an amorphous silicon oxide matrix are grown at low temperatures over a large area. The optical and electrical properties of these mixed-phase nanomaterials can be tuned independently, allowing for advanced light management in high efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells and for band-gap tuning via quantum confinement in third-generation photovoltaics.
Xiaoluan Yang, Xiaodong Su, Mingrong Shen, Fengang Zheng, Yu Xin, Lu Zhang, Muchuan Hua, Yajie Chen, V. G. Harris
Enhancement of Photocurrent in Ferroelectric Films Via the Incorporation of Narrow Bandgap Nanoparticles [Communication]
Ole Stenzel, L. Jan Anton Koster, Ralf Thiedmann, Stefan D. Oosterhout, René A. J. Janssen, Volker Schmidt
A New Approach to Model-Based Simulation of Disordered Polymer Blend Solar Cells [Full Paper]
A new multiscale stochastic model accurately describes and models the morphology of disordered polymer–zinc oxide solar cells as function of processing parameters in terms of structural and physical blend characteristics including domain connectivity, charge carrier mobility, and exciton quenching efficiency. A key result is that increasing the spin-coating velocity leads to coarse morphology.
Adv. Funct. Mater., January 26, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102095
Jens Müller, Karsten Bothe, Sebastian Gatz, Rolf Brendel
Modeling the formation of local highly aluminum-doped silicon regions by rapid thermal annealing of screen-printed aluminum [Rapid Research Letter]
Forming local highly aluminum-doped (Al-p+) regions by rapid thermal annealing (firing) of screen-printed aluminum strongly depends on temperature profile and contact geometry. Müller et al. describe the time-dependent silicon concentration in the Al melt using an analytical model. As a result they are able to explain the Al-p+ layer thickness as a function of the contact size for point and line contacts.
phys. stat. sol. (RRL), January 25, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/pssr.201105611
Theanne Schiros, Stefan Mannsfeld, Chien-yang Chiu, Kevin G. Yager, James Ciston, Alon A. Gorodetsky, Matteo Palma, Zac Bullard, Theodore Kramer, Dean Delongchamp, Daniel Fischer, Ioannis Kymissis, Michael F. Toney, Colin Nuckolls
Reticulated Organic Photovoltaics [Full Paper]
This paper shows how self assembly can be exploited to engineer the interface and morphology between the single crystal cables of donor material (6-DBTTC) and polycrystalline acceptor (C60) to create an interpenetrating network of pure phases expected to be optimal for photovoltaic device performance. These strategies facilitate 3-D nanostructured photovoltaic cells made with the simplicity and control of bilayer device fabrication.
Adv. Funct. Mater., January 19, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102572
Harihara Padhy, Mohan Ramesh, Dhananjaya Patra, Rudrakanta Satapathy, Murali Krishna Pola, Hsuan-Chih Chu, Chih-Wei Chu, Kung-Hwa Wei, Hong-Cheu Lin
Synthesis of Main-Chain Metallo-Copolymers Containing Donor and Acceptor Bis-Terpyridyl Ligands for Photovoltaic Applications [Communication]
Ziqi Liang, Alexandre M. Nardes, Jao van de Lagemaat, Brian A. Gregg
Activation Energy Spectra: Insights into Transport Limitations of Organic Semiconductors and Photovoltaic Cells [Full Paper]
Dark current and photocurrent activation energy spectra are measured for two types of poly(3-hexylthiophene) in pure films, films blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells. The cells show an unexpected transport limitation near the open circuit photovoltage. The results support a model of transport that combines the influence of short-range energetic disorder with long-range Coulomb fields from charged defects.
Adv. Funct. Mater., December 29, 2011, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201102813
Christoph Gutsche, Andrey Lysov, Daniel Braam, Ingo Regolin, Gregor Keller, Zi-An Li, Martin Geller, Marina Spasova, Werner Prost, Franz-Josef Tegude
n-GaAs/InGaP/p-GaAs Core-Multishell Nanowire Diodes for Efficient Light-to-Current Conversion [Full Paper]
Scanning photocurrent spectroscopy is used to study the photovoltaic response of single heterostructure n-GaAs/InGaP/p-GaAs core-multishell nanowire diodes. The proposed structure allows a selective wet etching of the individual shells and therefore a simple fabrication process. On the basis of a systematic characterization, good optoelectronic properties are demonstrated.
Adv. Funct. Mater., December 21, 2011, DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201101759
Hiroyuki Fujita, Tsuyoshi Michinobu
Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of 1,8-Carbazole-Based Donor–Acceptor Type Conjugated Polymers [Full Paper]
The photovoltaic properties of 1,8-carbazole-based donor–acceptor type copolymers are for the first time reported. The introduction of n-alkane substituents into the 3,6-positions on the carbazole allows good self-aggregation even in solutions. Bulk-heterojunction solar cell studies suggest the importance of comonomer structures to optimize the photovoltaic performances.
Sukumaran Santhosh Babu, Seelam Prasanthkumar, Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh
Self-Assembled Gelators for Organic Electronics [Minireview]
All gelled together: Solvent-assisted gelation of functional organic molecules leading to one-dimensional fibers is an area of great interest. Recent developments in molecular self-assembly-assisted gelation of π systems into soft functional materials and their potential application in organic electronic devices, such as organic field-effect transistors and organic solar cells, are reviewed (see picture).
Yan Zhou, Lin Ding, Ke Shi, Ya-Zhong Dai, Na Ai, Jian Wang, Jian Pei
A Non-Fullerene Small Molecule as Efficient Electron Acceptor in Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells [Communication]
A novel n-type small molecule FFI-1 was synthesized as the electron acceptor to replace PCBM in solution-processed organic BHJ solar cells. Its LUMO level (around -3.5 eV) both matches the work function of the cathode and increases VOC of the devices, making it a promising acceptor candidate. With P3HT: FFI-1 (1:2 w/w) as active layer and LiF/Al as the cathode, the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) reaches 1.86%.
Lars Müller-Meskamp, Yong Hyun Kim, Teja Roch, Simone Hofmann, Reinhard Scholz, Sebastian Eckardt, Karl Leo, Andrés Fabián Lasagni
Efficiency Enhancement of Organic Solar Cells by Fabricating Periodic Surface Textures using Direct Laser Interference Patterning [Communication]
Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) is used to fabricate large area, two-dimensional periodic surface patterns on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates to enhance the performance of ZnPc:C60 solar cells by light concentration in the absorber layer. Comparing the power conversion efficiencies to the reference cell on flat PET, a relative increase of 21% is observed for the hexagonal pattern with 0.7 μm period, depicted in the figure.
Kun Seok Lee, Youngbin Lee, Jun Young Lee, Jong-Hyun Ahn, Jong Hyeok Park
Flexible and Platinum-Free Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Conducting-Polymer-Coated Graphene Counter Electrodes [Communication]
Always wear a coat: On a plastic substrate graphene is coated with a conducting polymer (PEDOT), resulting in a flexible composite film. The film is used as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) instead of platinum/transparent conducting oxides (TCOs). The performance of the TCO- and platinum-free counter electrode rivals that of convenential DSSCs.
Richa Pandey, Aloysius A. Gunawan, K. Andre Mkhoyan, Russell J. Holmes
Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Cells Based on Nanocrystalline Mixtures of Boron Subphthalocyanine Chloride and C60 [Full Paper]
Efficient organic photovoltaic cells based on nanocrystalline mixtures of boron subphthalocyanine chloride and C60 are characterized in terms of device performance, electrical transport, and film morphology. Device performance and hole mobility in uniform mixtures of boron subphthalocyanine chloride (SubPc) and C60 are optimized at a composition of 80 wt% C60. This C60-rich optimum results from the formation of nanocrystalline domains of SubPc at 80 wt% C60.
Etienne Moulin, Ulrich Wilhelm Paetzold, Joachim Kirchhoff, Andreas Bauer, Reinhard Carius
Study of detached back reflector designs for thin-film silicon solar cells [Rapid Research Letter]
The authors present a method to optically and electrically characterize thin-film silicon solar cells with a non-conductive back reflector design. As this method allows the use of a large variety of back reflectors combined with intermediate rear dielectrics, it provides a means to better understand the impact of standard back reflector designs on the light-trapping properties of solar cells and to evaluate the potential of new back reflector designs.
Chih-Yu Chang, Yen-Ju Cheng, Shih-Hsiu Hung, Jhong-Sian Wu, Wei-Shun Kao, Chia-Hao Lee, Chain-Shu Hsu
Combination of Molecular, Morphological, and Interfacial Engineering to Achieve Highly Efficient and Stable Plastic Solar Cells [Communication]
Itaru Osaka, Masahiko Saito, Hiroki Mori, Tomoyuki Koganezawa, Kazuo Takimiya
Drastic Change of Molecular Orientation in a Thiazolothiazole Copolymer by Molecular-Weight Control and Blending with PC61BM Leads to High Efficiencies in Solar Cells [Communication]
A thiazolothiazole–thiophene copolymer is examined as the active material in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. By optimizing the molecular weight, the polymer-based cells exhibit power conversion efficiencies as high as 5.7%. The increase in molecular weight improves the orientational order, and blending with phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) changes the orientational motif from edge-on to face-on, which accounts for the trend in photovoltaic performances. These results might give new insight into the structure–property relationships in BHJ solar cells.
Jürgen Hüpkes, Jorj I. Owen, Sascha E. Pust, Eerke Bunte
Chemical Etching of Zinc Oxide for Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells [Minireview]
Chemical etching is widely applied to texture the surface of sputter-deposited zinc oxide for light scattering in thin-film silicon solar cells. Based on experimental findings from the literature and our own results we propose a model that explains the etching behavior of ZnO depending on the structural material properties and the etching agent (see picture).
Mingkui Wang, Stefan Plogmaker, Robin Humphry-Baker, Peter Pechy, Håkan Rensmo, Shaik. M. Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel
Molecular-Scale Interface Engineering of Nanocrystalline Titania by Co-adsorbents for Solar Energy Conversion [Full Paper]
Occupy TiO2: Co-grafting dyes with amphiphilic molecules containing phosphinic or phosphonic acid end groups can form a more compact monolayer than the adsorption of dye alone. This insulating molecular layer can effectively shield the back electron transfer from the conduction band of TiO2 to redox electrolytes. Herein coadsorbents are found to not only influence the dye loading, but also the geometry and electronic properties of the system.
Tae-Soo Kim, Seok-In Na, Seok-Soon Kim, Byung-Kwan Yu, Jun-Suk Yeo, Dong-Yu Kim
Solution-processible polymer solar cells fabricated on a papery substrate [Rapid Research Letter]
In this Letter, the authors demonstrate solution-processible, cost-effective, and ITO-free polymer solar cells (PSCs) fabricated on a papery substrate, the main layer of which is packed with pulp made from wood. The highly conductive polymer is used for the bottom anode and a planarization layer on the papery substrate. A semi-transparent cathode consisting of Ag/Al multilayer was deposited on the active layer.
B. Hoex, M. C. M. van de Sanden, J. Schmidt, R. Brendel, W. M. M. Kessels
Surface passivation of phosphorus-diffused n+-type emitters by plasma-assisted atomic-layer deposited Al2O3 [Rapid Research Letter]
Amorphous aluminium oxide (Al2O3) films yield excellent surface passivation on arbitrary doped p-type and lightly doped n-type c-Si. In some solar cell structures highly p-type and n-type c-Si surfaces are present; hence it is crucial to know the level of surface passivation of Al2O3 on both these surfaces. Here the authors show that Al2O3 can provide a good level of surface passivation for industrially relevant n+-type surfaces.
© Wiley-VCH 2011.
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