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Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2015
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
First Advisor
David W. Galipeau
Second Advisor
Qiquan Qiao
Abstract
Organic bulk heterojunction solar cells hold promise as an alternative to traditional silicon solar cells due to lower production cost from reduced material thickness, solution processing and high device performance. The narrow absorption range, low carrier mobility of the photoactive materials and interfacial problems limited high performance devices. There is need for low cost, easily processed, thermally stable, robust and highly efficient recombination layer in tandem polymer solar cells. The objective of this research was to develop a novel all-solution processed tandem polymer solar cell using a recombination layer that is low cost with at least 8% efficiency. In this dissertation, light absorption of the photoactive materials was increased by stacking two cells in a series-connected tandem structure. The recombination layer in the tandem cells was Nb2O5-PEDOT:PSS. Charge extraction at the cathode of the tandem cell consisted of a novel Nb2O5/CsF/Al layers. Nb2O5 nanoparticles were synthesized via solutionprocessing. X-ray diffractometry measurements of the Nb2O5 film showed orthorhombic phase when annealed at 600C. The Nb2O5 film showed transmittance values greater than 80% in the as-prepared and annealed films. The Nb2O5 film showed a thermally stable optical bandgap of 3.6 - 3.7 eV. The photoluminescence spectroscopy of the Nb2O5 film indicated the absence of surface defects and demonstrated charge transfer from the P3HT
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Solar cells
Solar cells -- Reliability
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-135)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
149
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Adebanjo, Olusegun, "Nb₂O₅ as an Efficient Recombination Layer in Tandem Polymer Solar Cells" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1862.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1862
Rights Statement
