Development of Nanostructured Organic Solar Cells

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Our research program is based in the field of materials chemistry and has a specific focus on the development of organic electronic devices. These novel devices exist at the interface of conventional electronics and materials chemistry and are the result of revolutionary advances in small molecule and plastic semiconductors. They can be used to manufacture exciting new consumer goods such as flexible, low-cost plastic solar cells and bendable flat panel displays. Specifically, the goal of our research program is to develop highly efficient and long-lived solar cells based on organic materials. The advantage of these organic solar cells is that they can be prepared and processed much more cheaply than conventional silicon-based photovoltaic devices. Their ease and economy of manufacture reduces the overall cost associated with complete photovoltaic modules, and it is hoped that this will lead to more wide-spread adoption of this emerging green technology. In order to make organic solar cells more efficient, we need to better understand and optimize the function of each part of the device. In the first part of our work, we intend to focus on maximizing the amount of incident light that can be effectively utilized by the device. This will be accomplished by the use of special light trapping nanostructures that ensure sunlight stays locked within the solar cell, where it will eventually be absorbed and converted into electrical energy. We also intend to develop new interfacial layers for use within the cell. These layers act as bridges between different parts of the photovoltaic device, helping each of the components function together as a unit. Finally, we will pursue the development of new inorganic/organic hybrid solar cells. These unique devices combine the excellent electrical properties of metal oxides with the unique properties of organic semiconductors. Synchrotron X-ray techniques available at the Canadian Light Source will be used to probe the molecular structure of these devices and to help identify ways of improving their power conversion efficiency.