Polymers in Solar Cells Joshua Hufford Joshua Hufford Bryan Orellana Bryan Orellana Yunchao Li Yunchao Li McKay Barnett McKay Barnett Sameh Mehrez Sameh Mehrez

Polymer Solar Cells First Generation Single crystal silicon wafers Single crystal silicon wafers Second Generation Polycrystalline silicon Polycrystalline silicon Amorphous silicon Amorphous silicon Third Generation Nanocrystal solar cells Nanocrystal solar cells Polymer solar cells Polymer solar cells Fourth Generation Hybrid - inorganic crystals within a polymer matrix Hybrid - inorganic crystals within a polymer matrix Polycrystalline Silicon Single Crystal Silicon Wafer

State-of-the-Art! Use of polymers (i.e. PPV – Polyphenylene Vinylenes) with nanoparticles mixed together to make a single multispectrum layer Use of polymers (i.e. PPV – Polyphenylene Vinylenes) with nanoparticles mixed together to make a single multispectrum layer Inorganic hybrids that are used as the nano particles: Inorganic hybrids that are used as the nano particles: CdSe CdSe Titania (Titanium oxide) Titania (Titanium oxide) This new form creates a more effective transport for charges This new form creates a more effective transport for charges

State-of-the-Art! Significant advances in hybrid solar cells have followed the development of elongated nanocrystal rodes and branched nano crystals Significant advances in hybrid solar cells have followed the development of elongated nanocrystal rodes and branched nano crystals Increase surface area Increase surface area Decreases resistance Decreases resistance Incorporation of larger nanostructures into polymers require optimization of blend morphology using solvent mixtures Incorporation of larger nanostructures into polymers require optimization of blend morphology using solvent mixtures This makes it easy to potentially make large rolls of thin, flexible polymer solar cells This makes it easy to potentially make large rolls of thin, flexible polymer solar cells Mayer, A.

Where can you find Solar Cells? Solar cells have many market opportunities Solar cells have many market opportunities sustainable, reliable, and an economical source of power sustainable, reliable, and an economical source of power Solar cells in space: Solar cells in space: The international space station; four sets of arrays, each one has 250,000 solar cells that can power a small neighborhood. The international space station; four sets of arrays, each one has 250,000 solar cells that can power a small neighborhood. Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert 9 plants provides more power than what Saudi Arabia produces from oil every day 9 plants provides more power than what Saudi Arabia produces from oil every day Cleaner, and more sustainable compared to oil. Cleaner, and more sustainable compared to oil. Image taken from

Where can you find Solar Cells? The first solar powered airplane The first solar powered airplane Flew for 26 continuous hours. Flew for 26 continuous hours. It was powered by 12,000 solar cells on its carbon fiber wings. It was powered by 12,000 solar cells on its carbon fiber wings. Powered solar vehicles Powered solar vehicles Residential roof solar panels. Residential roof solar panels.

Roadmap: Where are polymer solar cells going? Converting some of the heat for an overall solar cell composite Converting some of the heat for an overall solar cell composite More efficient and cheaper More efficient and cheaper Based on polymer solar cell and heterojunction technology Based on polymer solar cell and heterojunction technology

Future advances will rely on new nanocrystals, such as titania, to replace fullerene derivatives. Future advances will rely on new nanocrystals, such as titania, to replace fullerene derivatives. Potential to enhance light absorption and further improve charge transport. Potential to enhance light absorption and further improve charge transport.  Increase efficiency while getting away from all organic solar cell polymers. Roadmap: Where are polymer solar cells going?

Conclusion New innovations in polymeric materials and other nanoparticles are allowing for cheaper solar cells New innovations in polymeric materials and other nanoparticles are allowing for cheaper solar cells Continued research will lead to more efficient cells Continued research will lead to more efficient cells Cost effective, sustainable, ease of production, long lasting are key traits that make this technology increasingly plausible as a green replacement from present energy resources. Cost effective, sustainable, ease of production, long lasting are key traits that make this technology increasingly plausible as a green replacement from present energy resources.

References: cifinderExplore.jsf cifinderExplore.jsf Mayer, A., S. Scully, B. Hardin, M. Rowell, and M. Mcgehee. "Polymer-based Solar Cells." Materials Today (2007): Print. Mayer, A., S. Scully, B. Hardin, M. Rowell, and M. Mcgehee. "Polymer-based Solar Cells." Materials Today (2007): Print.