Organic Photovoltaic Device Lab

K-12 Outreach Kits and Labs

Overview

One of the hottest research areas is the development of polymer based photovoltaic devices that can be printed. The technology requires a convergence of disciplines of physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering. Much of the research is conducted in organic chemistry labs in which new compounds, and systems of chemicals are designed and synthesized. Building the devices that practically use this chemicals is an engineering problem solving enterprise. Now some proven chemical systems are commercially available opening the possibility of bringing the device construction and characterization into the undergraduate chemistry or physics lab.

In this lab students will spin coat a multilayered organic photovoltaic device and then characterize its physical structure and performance.

Characterization

Spectral Characterization

- Measure the transmittance of the organic layers with a spectrometer

Device Characterization

-Measure the current voltage curve using probeware. seePV_Characterization_Lab

Other

-AFM measurement of surface of heterojunction interface

-profilometer measurement of the thickness of layers

-measurement of performance under degrading conditions of light, oxygen and water.

References

• Polymer-based Materials for Printed Electronics: Enabling High Efficiency Solar Power and Lighting Material Matters 2008, 3.4, 92.
• Plexcore Ink system instructions
• OLEG OPV instructions using PCBM:MDMO-PPV with PEDOT PSS and Gallium Indium eutectic as cathode

Supplies

• Plexcore PV 1000 OPV Ink System $1200 25 ML

• PEDOT-PSS $131

• MDMO_PPV $438

• PCBM $197

• GA/IN eutectic $56