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

References

• Polymer-based Materials for Printed Electronics: Enabling High Efficiency Solar Power and Lighting Material Matters 2008, 3.4, 92.
• Plexcore Ink system instructions

Supplies

• [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/materials-science/organic-electronics/plexcore-pv-ink-system.html Plexcore PV 1000

Organic Photovoltaic Ink System $1200 25 ML]