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A Review on the Materials Science and Device Physics of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

Author

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  • Nora Schopp

    (Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

  • Viktor V. Brus

    (Department of Physics, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan City 010000, Kazakhstan)

Abstract

In this review, the current state of materials science and the device physics of semitransparent organic solar cells is summarized. Relevant synthetic strategies to narrow the band gap of organic semiconducting molecules are outlined, and recent developments in the polymer donor and near-infrared absorbing acceptor materials are discussed. Next, an overview of transparent electrodes is given, including oxides, multi-stacks, thin metal, and solution processed electrodes, as well as considerations that are unique to ST-OPVs. The remainder of this review focuses on the device engineering of ST-OPVs. The figures of merit and the theoretical limitations of ST-OPVs are covered, as well as strategies to improve the light utilization efficiency. Lastly, the importance of creating an in-depth understanding of the device physics of ST-OPVs is emphasized and the existing works that answer fundamental questions about the inherent changes in the optoelectronic processes in transparent devices are presented in a condensed way. This last part outlines the changes that are unique for devices with increased transparency and the resulting implications, serving as a point of reference for the systematic development of next-generation ST-OPVs.

Suggested Citation

  • Nora Schopp & Viktor V. Brus, 2022. "A Review on the Materials Science and Device Physics of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:13:p:4639-:d:847256
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher J. Traverse & Richa Pandey & Miles C. Barr & Richard R. Lunt, 2017. "Emergence of highly transparent photovoltaics for distributed applications," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(11), pages 849-860, November.
    2. Anctil, Annick & Lee, Eunsang & Lunt, Richard R., 2020. "Net energy and cost benefit of transparent organic solar cells in building-integrated applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    3. Chengang Ji & Dong Liu & Cheng Zhang & L. Jay Guo, 2020. "Ultrathin-metal-film-based transparent electrodes with relative transmittance surpassing 100%," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Christophe Ballif & Laure-Emmanuelle Perret-Aebi & Sophie Lufkin & Emmanuel Rey, 2018. "Integrated thinking for photovoltaics in buildings," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(6), pages 438-442, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Santiago Riquelme & Adrien Gros & Bruno Klemz & Luís Mauro Moura & Nathan Mendes, 2023. "Cosimulation of Integrated Organic Photovoltaic Glazing Systems Based on Functional Mock-Up Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Kathleen Isabelle Moineau-Chane Ching, 2023. "Impact of Alkyl-Based Side Chains in Conjugated Materials for Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Cells—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-33, September.
    3. Zhi Zhang & Yao Wang & Qun Chen & Zhipan Zeng, 2022. "Performance Enhancement of Interdigitated Heterojunction Solar Cells with Discotic Molecule," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-12, August.

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