Architectures and criteria for the design of high efficiency organic photovoltaic cells

US8987589B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US
• THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Barry Rand · Princeton, US
• Stephen R. Forrest · Ann Arbor, US
• Diana Pendergrast Burk · Washington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2006
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/549
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An organic photovoltaic cell includes an anode and a cathode, and a plurality of organic semiconductor layers between the anode and the cathode. At least one of the anode and the cathode is transparent. Each two adjacent layers of the plurality of organic semiconductor layers are in direct contact. The plurality of organic semiconductor layers includes an intermediate layer consisting essentially of a photoconductive material, and two sets of at least three layers. A first set of at least three layers is between the intermediate layer and the anode. Each layer of the first set consists essentially of a different organic semiconductor material having a higher LUMO and a higher HOMO, relative to the material of an adjacent layer of the plurality of organic semiconductor layers closer to the cathode. A second set of at least three layers is between the intermediate layer and the cathode. Each layer of the second set consists essentially of a different organic semiconductor material having a lower LUMO and a lower HOMO, relative to the material of an adjacent layer of the plurality of organic semiconductor layers closer to the anode.