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Long-term stable polymer solar cells with significantly reduced burn-in loss

Author

Listed:
  • Jaemin Kong

    (Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), and Research Institute for Solar & Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Suhee Song

    (Pusan National University)

  • Minji Yoo

    (Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), and Research Institute for Solar & Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Ga Young Lee

    (Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), and Research Institute for Solar & Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Obum Kwon

    (Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, University of California)

  • Jin Kuen Park

    (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)

  • Hyungcheol Back

    (School of Materials Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Geunjin Kim

    (School of Materials Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Seoung Ho Lee

    (Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), and Research Institute for Solar & Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

  • Hongsuk Suh

    (Pusan National University)

  • Kwanghee Lee

    (Heeger Center for Advanced Materials (HCAM), and Research Institute for Solar & Sustainable Energies (RISE), Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology
    School of Materials Science & Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology)

Abstract

The inferior long-term stability of polymer-based solar cells needs to be overcome for their commercialization to be viable. In particular, an abrupt decrease in performance during initial device operation, the so-called ‘burn-in’ loss, has been a major contributor to the short lifetime of polymer solar cells, fundamentally impeding polymer-based photovoltaic technology. In this study, we demonstrate polymer solar cells with significantly improved lifetime, in which an initial burn-in loss is substantially reduced. By isolating trap-embedded components from pristine photoactive polymers based on the unimodality of molecular weight distributions, we are able to selectively extract a trap-free, high-molecular-weight component. The resulting polymer component exhibits enhanced power conversion efficiency and long-term stability without abrupt initial burn-in degradation. Our discovery suggests a promising possibility for commercial viability of polymer-based photovoltaics towards real solar cell applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaemin Kong & Suhee Song & Minji Yoo & Ga Young Lee & Obum Kwon & Jin Kuen Park & Hyungcheol Back & Geunjin Kim & Seoung Ho Lee & Hongsuk Suh & Kwanghee Lee, 2014. "Long-term stable polymer solar cells with significantly reduced burn-in loss," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6688
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6688
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    Cited by:

    1. Nieto-Díaz, Balder A. & Crossland, Andrew F. & Groves, Christopher, 2021. "A levelized cost of energy approach to select and optimise emerging PV technologies: The relative impact of degradation, cost and initial efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    2. Rafique, Saqib & Abdullah, Shahino Mah & Sulaiman, Khaulah & Iwamoto, Mitsumasa, 2018. "Fundamentals of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells: An overview of stability/degradation issues and strategies for improvement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 43-53.

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