The contribution researchers develop the most efficient organic solar cell in the world first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
For the first time, researchers have managed to produce an organic solar cell with an efficiency of almost ten percent. The background: a new type of electrode and lamination process.
Organic solar cells consist entirely of carbon compounds and do without heavy metals or other problematic materials. They are much more environmentally friendly than conventional silicon or perovskit cells. The reason: these often contain toxic substances such as lead or other metals that are a problem with recycling.
Organic solar cells, on the other hand, can be disposed of similarly to plastics. An example is the combustion in which no harmful residues remain. So far, however, an unspoken rule was: the more environmentally friendly the structure of a solar cell, the worse the performance.
The energy yield of organic cells was usually only around four percent. For comparison: Silicon cells create more than 27 percent. One reason is that suitable materials are missing for the conductive layers. Either they were not conductive enough or they had to be treated with chemicals that damaged the sensitive material of the cells.
Organic solar cell: new solutions for better performance
A International research team Now solved two central problems. Because on the one hand, the scientists developed a transparent electrode based on Pedot: PSS. This is a conductive polymer that can be processed at low temperatures. This means that the sensitive layers remain intact.
On the other hand, the researchers used a new technique to laminate. The upper electrode layer is applied to a carrier film and then transferred to the solar cell without the lower layers.
With this combination, the scientists were able to increase the performance of their new organic solar cells to 8.7 percent. This is more than twice as much as with previous models. This could make the technology interesting for practical applications.
Sustainable and versatile
Because they are easy, flexible and free of pollutants, organic solar cells are particularly suitable for use in places where conventional modules are not practical. This can be on clothing, in portable devices or on agricultural areas.
However, transparent and organic modules are suitable for such a use. They can also be produced relatively easily and inexpensively, without any expensive vacuum technology or toxic materials. Development could be a big step towards a more sustainable and versatile solar energy – and without compromise in environmental friendliness.
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The contribution researchers develop the most efficient organic solar cell in the world first appeared on basic thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard Or subscribe to our update newsletter.
As a Tech Industry expert, I am thrilled to hear about the development of the most efficient organic solar cell in the world. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy industry by providing a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Organic solar cells have long been seen as a promising technology due to their flexibility, lightweight, and potential for lower manufacturing costs. However, their efficiency has always lagged behind that of silicon solar cells. With this new development, researchers have been able to significantly increase the efficiency of organic solar cells, bringing them closer to parity with traditional solar technologies.
This advancement opens up new possibilities for the widespread adoption of solar energy and could help drive down the cost of renewable energy production. It also demonstrates the power of continued research and innovation in the tech industry to address pressing global challenges such as climate change.
I am excited to see how this breakthrough will be further developed and commercialized, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on the renewable energy sector and our efforts to build a more sustainable future.
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