# US 9,041,018 B1 · Organic photovoltaic cell and light emitting diode with an array of 3-dimensionally fabricated electrodes

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- Number: US 9,041,018 B1
- Document ID: US9041018B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/627,077
- Filed: 2012-09-26
- Published: 2015-05-07
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2008-06-09
- Assignees: San Diego State University Research Foundation
- Applicants: Kee Suk Moon; Samuel Kassegne; Khaled Morsi
- Inventors: Kee Suk Moon; Samuel Kassegne; Khaled Morsi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9041018B1

## CPC

- H10K 30/81: Electrodes
- B82Y 10/00: Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
- H10K 30/83: comprising arrangements for extracting the current from the cell, e.g. metal finger grid systems to reduce the serial resistance of transparent electrodes
- H10K 50/805: Electrodes
- H10K 50/813: characterised by their shape
- H10K 50/822: characterised by their shape
- H10K 30/30: comprising bulk heterojunctions, e.g. interpenetrating networks of donor and acceptor material domains
- H10K 50/125: specially adapted for multicolour light emission, e.g. for emitting white light
- H10K 85/1135: {Polyethylene dioxythiophene [PEDOT]; Derivatives thereof}
- H10K 85/20: Carbon compounds, e.g. carbon nanotubes or fullerenes
- Y02E 10/549: Organic PV cells
- H10K: ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel photovoltaic cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional electrode. Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel electroluminescent cell that uses unique micro-architectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional diode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A photovoltaic cell comprising:
an array of microelectrodes on a substrate, said microelectrodes comprised of a conductive or semi-conductive material, each of said microelectrodes shaped as a uniformly spaced apart protrusion, wherein the microelectrodes comprise both anodes and cathodes, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from: carbon, a carbon allotrope, or an organic polymer, or combinations thereof;
wherein each of said uniformly spaced apart protrusion has a diameter of at least 150 μm and a height that is greater than the diameter;
wherein the uniform spacing between protrusions is from about 0.5 μm to about 350 μm, and wherein the anodes are coated with a conductive polymer; and,
at least one photoactive material in combination with said microelectrodes, wherein the photoactive material comprises crystalline silicone, cadmium telluride copper-indium selenide, copper indium/gallium diselenide, ruthenium metalorganic dye, P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)), PCBM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester), or combinations thereof; and,
one or more wire traces layered on or within the substrate connecting two or more microelectrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the shape of the electrodes varies along the vertical axis and wherein the photovoltaic cell provides energy conversion efficiency of at least 5%, 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% or 50%.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the anodes are coated with PEDOT:PSS.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, further comprising two clear layers whereby the microelectrodes and the photoactive material are sandwiched between the two clear layers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cell of claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic radiation passes through at least two of the clear layers and at least a portion of said electromagnetic radiation is converted to energy.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The cell of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is visible light.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The cell of claim 5, wherein a photon from the electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the photoactive material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The cell of claim 7, wherein the photoactive material comprises a donor polymer and absorption of the photon excites an electron in the donor polymer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The cell of claim 8, wherein an excited electron migrates to the cathode creating a potential difference.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the diffusion length for migrating charges is less than 100 nm.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the anodes have a work function of 5 eV or higher.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cathodes have a work function of 5 eV or higher.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the microelectrodes are cylinder-shaped protrusions, pyramid-shaped protrusions, diamond-shaped protrusions, sphere-shaped protrusions, hemisphere-shaped protrusions, or rectangular prism-shaped protrusions.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the microelectrodes are pyramid-shaped protrusions.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells according to claim 1.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the photoactive material comprises P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)), PCBM (phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester), or combinations thereof.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, further comprising a second photoactive material in combination with the microelectrode; and wherein the absorption spectrum of the first photoactive material and the absorption of the second photoactive material are different.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the array of microelectrodes are configured on a single chip as an array selected from the group consisting of: a 5×5 array; a 10×10 array; a 30×30 array; a 50×50 array; a 75×75 array; a 100×100 array; a 200×200 array; a 250×250 array; a 500×500 array; and a 750×750 array.