Outstanding performance of organic solar cell using tin oxide

24 April 2023 – Organic solar cells have a photoactive layer that is made from polymers and small molecules. The cells are very thin, can be flexible, and are easy to make. However, the efficiency of these cells is still much below that of conventional silicon-based ones. Applied physicists from the University of Groningen have now fabricated an organic solar cell with an efficiency of over 17 percent, which is in the top range for this type of material. It has the advantage of using an unusual device structure that is produced using a scalable technique. The design involves a conductive layer of tin oxide that is grown by atomic layer deposition. The scientists also have several ideas to further improve the efficiency and stability of the cell. The results have been described in the journal Advanced Materials on 31 March.

Production of the new plastic solar cells using Atomic Layer Deposition, which results in a highly efficient organic solar cell (Illustration Loi lab, University of Groningen)

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