Photonic crystals for enhancing the absorption of organic photovoltaic materials

D. Duché; L. Escoubas; J. J. Simon; Ph. Torchio; F. Flory; J.-L. Roumiguières; A. Labeyrie; M. Eyraud

doi:10.1117/12.781373

5 May 2008 Photonic crystals for enhancing the absorption of organic photovoltaic materials

D. Duché, L. Escoubas, J. J. Simon, Ph. Torchio, F. Flory, J.-L. Roumiguières, A. Labeyrie, M. Eyraud

Proceedings Volume 7002, Photonics for Solar Energy Systems II; 70020O (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.781373
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2008, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Our work deals with the improvement of "light harvesting" in organic photovoltaic cells by using photonic nanostructures. We have theoretically studied a periodically nanostructured poly (3-hexylthiophene)(P3HT)/6,6-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) thin film in order to increase its absorption in the near infrared spectral range. We have used a software, based on the FDTD (Finite-Difference Time-Domain) method, to calculate the absorption of light in organics solar cells. We have also considered the nanostructured photoactive layer of solar cells as a photonic crystal and we have computed band diagrams to study the dispersion curves of this structure. We have first studied a blend (bulk heterojunction) with the same proportions of P3HT and PCBM. This material provide at this time the best results in terms of photovoltaic efficiency. Nevertheless, in order to improve the transport of charges to the electrodes, a model with P3HT and PCBM independently nanostructured (ordered heterostructure) was also used. Moreover, this periodic nanostructuration allows "slow Bloch modes" to be coupled inside the device with a low group velocity of electromagnetic waves. Thus, the interaction duration between light and organics materials is improved. The P3HT/PCBM photonic crystal parameters have been adjusted to maximize the density of Bloch modes and to obtain flat dispersion curves. We have found that the light matter interaction was strongly enhanced which resulted in a 35.6% increase of absorption in the 600 nm to 700 nm spectral range. In order to realize nanostructured organic solar cells, we are also developing an experimental prototype, based on a patented process, which allows to nanostructure several kinds of polymers.

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D. Duché, L. Escoubas, J. J. Simon, Ph. Torchio, F. Flory, J.-L. Roumiguières, A. Labeyrie, and M. Eyraud "Photonic crystals for enhancing the absorption of organic photovoltaic materials", Proc. SPIE 7002, Photonics for Solar Energy Systems II, 70020O (5 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.781373

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KEYWORDS

Absorption

Photonic crystals

Organic photovoltaics

Solar cells

Nanostructuring

Finite-difference time-domain method

Dispersion

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