Properly developed solar cells can fully meet society’s energy needs. Solar energy production is growing by 25-30% every year, it is already cheaper than thermal energy in Japan and its cost in Europe is rapidly declining. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells are currently the most widely used (about 90%) in the world, but they are expensive and difficult to manufacture. In the last decade, organic and hybrid photovoltaic devices have been rapidly gaining interest in solar energy community. The biggest breakthrough is achieved in perovskite solar cells, whose efficiency has already surpassed commercial silicon cells. The aim of this project is to develop and patent additive-free p-type organic semiconductors that can efficiently extract and transport positive charge carriers from the electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer (perovskite) to obtain efficient and stable solar elements. The project will involve synthesis of both small molecules and polymers that, without additional additives, would outperform the best dopant reliant hole transporting materials currently used in perovskite solar cells. During the project, to obtain efficient and stable perovskite solar cells, p-type organic semiconductors, effectively transporting positive charge carriers from the perovskite layer without ionic additives, will be developed. 3 patent applications will be registered in Europe (EPO), USA (USPTO) and Japan (JPO) patent offices. In this way, the main obstacle interfering with the market entry of the new generation of solar cells will be removed.
Project funding:
This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund according to the 2014–2020 Operational Programme for the European Union Funds’ Investments under measure No. 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703 “Strengthening of Activities of Competence Centres’ and Innovation and Technology Transfer Centers’ “.
Project results:
During the project, to obtain efficient and stable perovskite solar cells, p-type organic semiconductors, effectively transporting positive charge carriers from the perovskite layer without ionic additives, will be developed. 3 patent applications will be registered in Europe (EPO), USA (USPTO) and Japan (JPO) patent offices. In this way, the main obstacle interfering with the market entry of the new generation of solar cells will be removed.
Period of project implementation: 2020-04-24 - 2023-04-30
Project coordinator: Kaunas University of Technology
