Organic solar cells struggle with slow current flow efficiency

Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology are studying organic solar cells made with new printing techniques. Led by Prof. Dr. Carsten Deibel, the team aims to improve these solar cells, which are cheaper to produce than traditional silicon ones. However, organic solar cells have a significant hurdle: slow current flow. This is caused by disordered layers in the cells, which are made from a kind of ink. The inefficiency in current transport reduces the solar cells' power output. To address this, Deibel and assistant Maria Saladina investigated various organic solar cells. They measured how light generates charges and how these charges move through the cells. Their work revealed that transport resistance greatly affects efficiency and power loss. The findings, published in Reports on Progress in Physics, suggest researchers need to rethink how they optimize organic solar cells. The team, part of the DFG Research Unit POPULAR, continues to explore ways to enhance these promising solar technologies.