Descriptif
Eligibility/Pre- requisites
A basic knowledge in quantum mechanics is preferable, but not absolutely required.
Learning outcomes
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the research and technology used to design polymer-based organic solar cells.
After taking this course, the student should be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge on the following subjects:
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Concept of organic semiconductors,
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Exciton and charge carrier transport in polymeric and organic semiconductors,
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Synthesis and application of polymers in organic photovoltaic technology,
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Organic photovoltaic cell design.
Course main content
The cost-effective development of flexible solar cells is one of the challenges of tomorrow’s onboard photovoltaic systems. As demonstrated by the 10.7 % efficiency achieved in April 2012 by Heliatek GmbH, polymer solar cells, and organic photovoltaic technology at large, seem to offer the most promising avenue for achieving this. The role of organic materials is not limited to semiconductor-type active media, so we will also discuss their use in dye- sensitized solar cells and perovskite-based hybrid cells, which have shown promise for even higher power conversion efficiency during the recent years.
Organic semiconductors (16 hours)
- The carbon atom
o Frontier orbitals (HOMO and LUMO)
o Band width
o Density of states (DOS)
- Charge transport
o Band-like transport
o Concept of polaron; Marcus model
o Multiple and trapping release model
o Hopping models
- Optical properties
o Concept of exciton
o Singlet and triplet
o Energy transfer (Dexter, Förster)
- Metal-semiconductor interface
o Energy levels in metals and organic semiconductors
o Charge injection and extraction in organic semiconductors
o Metal semiconductor diodes
Organic photovoltaic cells (4 hours)
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Principle of organic photovoltaics
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Device structures; concept of Bulk Heterojunction
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Role of morphology
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Tandem Cells
Chemistry of polymer semiconductors (8 hours)
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Conjugated polymer synthesis
o History of metal catalyzed coupling reaction
o Mechanism of the metal catalyzed Coupling Reaction
o Mechanism of the Stille coupling reaction
o Mechanism of the Suzuki coupling reaction
o GRIM polymerization, living polymerization
o Catalytic Systems, Ligand Effect, Solvent effect
o Type of monomers
o Example of Functional conjugated polymers
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Materials for OPV
o Materials developmento Hole transporting materials
o Electron transporting materials, polymer and fullerene
Dye-sensitized and perovskite-based cells (4 hours)
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Working principle
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Material design
Economic aspects of organic photovoltaics (4 hours)
- Review of the industrial groups involved
- Analysis of the industrial profitability
Examination and requirements for final grade
The evaluation of the students will consist of a final written exam.
Coordinator Instructors
Gilles HOROWITZ, Ecole polytechnique
Gaël ZUCCHI
Langue du cours : Anglais
Credits ECTS : 4
Diplôme(s) concerné(s)
Parcours de rattachement
Format des notes
Numérique sur 20Littérale/grade réduitPour les étudiants du diplôme Renewable Energy, Science and Technology
Le rattrapage est autorisé- Crédits ECTS acquis : 4 ECTS
Pour les étudiants du diplôme Energy Environment : Science Technology & Management
Le rattrapage est autorisé- Crédits ECTS acquis : 4 ECTS