Organic semiconducting materials for clean energy

Abstract

The goal of the present chapter is the maximum utilization of organic semiconducting materials such as organic solar cells. Organic solar cells have built a step forward and incredible development in overcoming the long-standing challenges of low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and device lifetimes. The most concerning OSC property has been PCE, collectively with device durability and lifetime, key for large-scale usage. Recent advances in OSCs have exhibited 16.5% PCE in single-junction devices and 17.3% in tandem devices. At present, the device structure of OSCs is mainly classified into three types: bilayer, single-layer Schottky junction, and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OSCs. The basic structure of these three devices is the same. It incorporates four components from the bottom to the top: the anode electrode material and the organic active layer material, the cathode electrode material, and glass substrate. The organic active layer material is situated between the cathode and anode to form a device with a unique �sandwich� structure. The main difference between the three structured devices is the morphology of the active layer. Due to the structure of BHJ, the interface contact area to the donor/acceptor materials in the active layer is increased dramatically. Meanwhile, a good cross-network structure can be found in the blend films, which is favorable to the carrier transport in the active layer films. Therefore BHJ has grown to be a usually used structure for OSCs. BHJ will allow organic solar cells to be economically competitive with conventional inorganic solar cells and possibly replace them in the future. This chapter describes the incredible progress in the past few years in OSCs toward high PCE, large-area, and long-lasting operation, displaying a bright future for large-scale applications for high-efficiency solar cells. � 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.