Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are of great interest due to their promise of providing flexible, lightweight, and inexpensive alternatives to their currently-used inorganic counterparts. However, large-scale implementation of these modules has been hampered due to their relatively low power conversion efficiencies even in the highest-performing devices (PCE ~10%). Because the charge generation, separation, and collection processes in plastic solar cells occur on the nanoscale, the microstructure of the OPV active layer and the organic-metal interfaces are of great import. Here, we synthesize, characterize the nanoscalemorphology of, and implement novel macromolecules into OPV devices.

Specifically, we demonstrate the ability to form well-ordered nanoscaledomains through the use of diblockcopolymers containing a semicrystallinemoiety. Additionally, we present a new series of charge-conducting, transparent macromolecules that can be grafted directly from the surface of a transparent electrode; this leads to improved charge extraction at the anodic contact. As such, we are able to address both the active and charge extraction layers of OPV devices utilizing two emerging classes of functional polymers. And our abilities to design and pattern optoelectronically-active polymers into thin film morphologies with nanoscopicprecision over large areas offers clear pathways for the advanced design of plastic solar cells.

Bryan W. Boudouris, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University holds a B. S. of chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph. D. of chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. In September of 2009, he moved to the University of California, Berkeley as a postdoctoral fellow. In August of 2011, he started his own laboratory at Purdue University. During its first 18 months of existence, the laboratory has been recognized as a future leader in the design and implementation of functional polymers , as acknowledged by the AFOSR Young Investigator Program award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award, and Purdue University’s Showalter Research Trust Award.

Purdue University Discovery Park, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Energy Center

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Bryan W. Boudouris (2013), "Design of Optoelectronically-active Polymers for Organic Photovoltaic Applications," https://nanohub.org/resources/16695.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. clean energy
2. organic photovoltaics (OPV)
3. photovoltaics (PV)
4. polymers
5. solar cells