Breakthrough in Enhancing Organic Solar Cells
A team of researchers from Åbo Akademi University in Finland has made a significant advancement by discovering and addressing an unknown loss mechanism that affects organic solar cells, enhancing both their efficiency and lifespan. This innovative work sheds light on potential strategies for improving sustainable energy technologies.
Collaborative Research Efforts
The study was conducted by the Organic Electronics Research Group at Åbo Akademi University, collaborated with Professor Chang-Qi Ma’s group from Suzhou Institute for Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics. Key researchers involved included Ronald Österbacka, Sebastian Wilken, and Oskar Sandberg, with findings published in the reputable journal Nature Photonics.
Exceptional Performance Metrics
The research demonstrated remarkable results with inverted solar cells achieving over 18% efficiency within a 1 cm² area. Additionally, it set a record for organic solar cell lifespan at 24,700 hours under continuous white light exposure—equating to an estimated operational life span exceeding 16 years.
The Appeal of Organic Photovoltaics
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) offer promising commercial prospects due to their lightweight nature, flexibility, and energy-efficient manufacturing processes. Over the past five years alone, power conversion efficiency has surged significantly; leading-edge OPVs now exceed 20% under laboratory conditions utilizing traditional architectures.
Challenges of Stability
Despite these advancements, materials used in organic solar cells remain sensitive to deterioration when exposed to environmental factors like sunlight and air pollutants; improvements are necessary to ensure long-term viability in practical applications.
Design Innovations for Durability
An effective strategy identified involves employing durable materials as the uppermost contact layer of these devices. The structurally inverted or n-i-p models demonstrate more stability compared to conventional designs but have yet to match their efficiency rates fully.
Pioneering Discoveries Addressing Loss Mechanisms
This investigation pinpointed an unrecognized loss mechanism within organic solar cells related specifically to the bottom contact layers made from metal oxides such as zinc oxide—certainly creating narrow recombination zones harmful for photocurrent yield.
The application of a thin passivation layer composed of silicon oxide nitrate (SiOxNy), processed via solvent methods on this bottom layer effectively mitigates recombination issues—leading to markedly improved efficacy levels. This method proves beneficial not only academically but also hints at scalability potential for mass-producing effective and stable organic solar solutions.
Additional Reading:
- Bowen Liu et al., “Inverted organic solar cells featuring an SiOxNy passivation mechanism achieving over 18% power conversion rate.” Nature Photonics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-024-01574-0
- Institution: Abo Akademi University
Citation: Discovery eliminating new loss mechanisms boosts efficiency & durability of organic photovoltaic systems (January 9th,
2025).