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Flexible, conjugated polymer-fullerene-based bulk-heterojunction solar cells: Basics, encapsulation, and integration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2005

G. Dennler ,
C. Lungenschmied ,
H. Neugebauer ,
N.S. Sariciftci  and
A. Labouret
G. Dennler*
Affiliation:
Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Physical Chemistry,Johannes Kepler University, A-4040 Linz, Austria
C. Lungenschmied
Affiliation:
Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Physical Chemistry,Johannes Kepler University, A-4040 Linz, Austria
H. Neugebauer
Affiliation:
Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Physical Chemistry,Johannes Kepler University, A-4040 Linz, Austria
N.S. Sariciftci
Affiliation:
Linz Institute for Organic Solar Cells (LIOS), Physical Chemistry,Johannes Kepler University, A-4040 Linz, Austria
A. Labouret
Affiliation:
Solems, 91124 Palaiseau Cédex, France
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: gilles.dennler@jku.at
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Abstract

Organic solar cells based on conjugated polymer:fullerene blends show nowadays efficiencies above 4%. After briefly presenting the science of bulk-heterojunction solar cells, we report herein a shelf lifetime study performed by encapsulating the cells in a flexible and transparent gas barrier material. This method allows lifetimes as reported for glass encapsulation. Moreover, we propose a new approach to pattern organic solar cells and design large-scale modules. This technique, based on selective Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser etching, potentially enables low-cost, high-speed roll-to-roll operation.

Keywords

FullerenePhotovoltaicPolymer
Type
Articles—Energy and The Environment Special Section
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 20 , Issue 12 , December 2005 , pp. 3224 - 3233
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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