Solar cells using fullerenes
AssigneeThe Trustees of Princeton University
InventorsStephen R. Forrest, Peter Peumans
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Abstract
Organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices are disclosed. The devises comprise photoconductive organic thin films in a heterostructure, which include an exciton blocking layer to enhance device efficiency. The use of fullerenes in the electron conducting layer has lead to devices with high efficiency. Single heterostructure, stacked and wave-guide type embodiments are disclosed. Devices having multilayer structures and an exciton blocking layer are also disclosed. Guidelines for selection of exciton blocking layers are provided.
Claims19
An organic photosensitive optoelectronic device comprising:
- an anode;
- a hole transport layer, the hole transport layer formed of a photoconductive organic semiconductor material;
- an electron transport layer over the hole transport layer, the electron transport layer comprising a fullerene;
- an exciton blocking layer;
- and
- a cathode,
- wherein the device is capable of an external power conversion efficiency of at least about 3.6%.
A stacked organic photosensitive optoelectronic device comprised of a plurality of photosensitive optoelectronic subcells, wherein at least one subcell includes an electron transporting layer comprising a fullerene, and wherein the device is capable of an external power conversion efficiency of at least about 3.6%.
A method for making an organic photosensitive optoelectronic device, the device comprising an anode, a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer comprising a fullerene, an exciton blocking layer and a cathode, wherein the device is capable of an external power conversion efficiency of at least about 3.6%, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing the hole transport layer over the anode;
- (b) depositing the electron transport layer over the hole transport layer;
- (c) depositing the exciton blocking layer over the electron transport layer;
- and
- (d) depositing the cathode over the exciton blocking layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.