Development of a methodology to control polymer orientation - improving solar cell efficiency (Press Release)

Release Date: 07 Oct, 2013

BL19B2 (Engineering Science Research I)

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
RIKEN
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)

We have successfully controlled the polymer orientation by carefully tuning the length and shape of the solubilizing alkyl side chains. With the ideal polymer orientation, charge carriers generated upon sun light absorption can effectively travel through the polymer films, which resulted in the significant improvement of the power conversion efficiency in polymer-based solar cells.

This methodology would pave the way towards the practical use of polymer-based solar cells.

Publication:
"Thiophene–Thiazolothiazole Copolymers: Significant Impact of Side Chain Composition on Backbone Orientation and Solar Cell Performances"
Itaru Osaka Masahiko Saito, Tomoyuki Koganezawa, Kazuo Takimiya.
Advanced Materials, Published online 8 October 2013

Researcher Information
JST PRESTO
Research Area:
"Photoenergy conversion systems and materials for the next generation solar cells"
Research Theme:
"Novel semiconducting polymers toward high efficiency organic thin film solar cells"

For more information, please contact:
  Ph.D. Itaru Osaka
  (Senior Research Scientist, Center for Emergent Matter Science, RIKEN)
    E-mail : mail1
    URL : http://www.cems.riken.jp/en/laboratory/emfrg

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Development of a methodology to control polymer orientation - improving solar cell efficiency (Press Release)