Physics Journal Club Meeting
Characterization of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells: Registered Conductive and Elemental Maps
of the Same Region at the Nanoscale
Jeremy Mehta
Organic photovoltaics are among the most promising options for low-cost and high scalable
renewable energy, but in order to fully realize the potential of these technologies, power
conversion efficiencies and stability will both have to be improved beyond the current state-ofthe-art. The morphology of these complex material systems is of paramount importance in the
photon to electron conversion process. The bulk heterojunction consisting of Poly(3hexylthophene) donor wires and [6,6]phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester acceptor molecules
were studied using photoconductive atomic force microscopy and energy filtered transmission
electron microscopy on the same sample. Linking the photoconductivity and chemical
distribution measurements proves to be a useful tool in connecting morphology to cell
performance. The method of spatially dependent charge transport makes characterizing the
active layer of an organic solar cell at the nanoscale crucial to understanding how to build
better organic solar cell.
Photocurrent map (Left) and sulfur map (Right) of P3HT nanowires in PCBM film in form an
organic solar cell.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Science 2 Room 144
Pizza at Noon
Presentation at 12:15
There will be a sign-in sheet for all attendees to sign