Fluorinated electron-acceptor improves yield of organic thin film solar cells

A group of researchers from Japan’s Osaka University has developed new fluorinated electron-accepting units that are said to be able to show precise control of the energy levels within the resulting semiconductor, which means these units are able to tune the band gap.

This ability, they said, enables the selectivity over the injection and transport of holes and/or electrons within the semiconductor material, thus creating interesting for applications on solar cell devices.

The researchers claim the fluorinated electron-acceptor unit, embedded in an organic thin film solar cell they developed, was 3.12% more efficient than an analogue non-fluorinated cell.

Furthermore, they said that the morphology of the fluorinated film supported the efficient charge generation and transport necessary for successful application.

“It is our hope that the band gap control and high photovoltaic performance we have demonstrated will lead to our material being applied in devices such as organic light-emitted diodes, field-effect transistors, and thin film solar cells,” said the scientists.

The research has highlighted the strong link between high electronegativity, greater electron-accepting tendency, and enhanced semiconductor performance, while also stressing the importance of organic semiconductors for future PV applications, among others.