Green organic solar cells with record efficiency of 11.7%

01/28/2016

Researchers from North Carolina State University, in collaboration with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials (China), have reported yet another record breaking organic solar cells (OPV). The researchers demonstrated high-power conversion efficiency OPVs processed from eco-friendly solvents.

Material processing is a central issue in the fabrication of efficient OPVs. Commonly, organic photoactive films are printed from halogenated solvents which impose high level of environmental and health risks. Synchronously, toxic solvents hinder the implementation of the industrial scale roll-to-roll printing of flexible organic solar cells. To combat this long-standing problem, the Ade research group together with a team of chemists led by Prof. H. Yan from HKUST and Prof. Wei Ma from State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, have utilized eco-friendly solvents to develop OPVs achieving a certified power-conversion efficiency of 11.48%. This research finding, which appeared in the journal Nature Energy, has brought the organic photovoltaic technology one step closer to commercialization. This report has been highlighted in Nature News.