Organic Solar cells, Dopants and Architectural Design – a Review

Abstract

Since the discovery of conducting polymers by Alan Heeger, intensive research has been carried out over the last 50 years in order to find organic based molecular systems which would be suitable for electronic, photonic and all optical applications. Organic molecules possess desirable optical properties, while their responsiveness is such that the absorption and emission of such molecules can be tailored to specific needs. Polymers in particular have found a niche in transparent photovoltaic cells have for a number of years gathered considerable attention as an alternative to Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) or Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) or
silicon solar cells, which is due to their relative low cost and ease of fabrication. In addition, given the flexibility to tailor the optical absorption through the availability of many different quantum dots, organic molecules, the potential to be able to engineer enhanced solar absorbance across the suns emission spectrum is one that is, while challenging, could be accomplished through techniques of blending and composite formation.