1. CEAS REU Project 4
Synthesis of Solar Cell Materials, and Fabrication of Novel Polymer-Based Solar Cells
Nathan Duderstadt, Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Stoney Sutton, Electrical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
Kate Yoshino, Engineering Physics, Taylor University
Dr. Vikram Kuppa and Ms. Yan Jin

2. Introduction Why solar cells? Why ORGANIC solar cells?
What is graphene and what role does it play?

3. Background Literature Review
Solar Radiation
Charge Generation
In a semiconductor, the energy from the sun both moves the electron to an excited state, but also creates a hole (positive charge) in its place.
Charge Transport to Electrodes
Electric Current
Lowest Unoccupied
Molecular Orbital
Highest Occupied
Molecular Orbital e h
Animation and concepts adapted from Dr. Vikram Kuppa’s presentation on organic photovoltaics

4. Organic Photovoltaic Devices
The problem with semiconductors in solar cell applications is separating these particles and TRANSFERING them to their electrodes.
In order to accomplish this, we use two material, like seen to the right.
Picture from: Deibel, Carsten, and Vladimir Dyakonov. (2010). " Polymer–fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells.." Vol. 73.9, pp

5. Active Layer (P3HT:F8BT:Graphene) Indium Tin Oxide (Anode)
Cell Structure
Aluminum (Cathode)
Lithium Fluoride
Active Layer (P3HT:F8BT:Graphene)
PEDOT:PSS
Indium Tin Oxide (Anode)
Glass Slide
The thickness of the cell is approximately without the glass slide is approximately 500 nm in thickness.

6. Cell Structure Solar Cell Active layer Indium Tin Oxide (Anode)
Aluminum (Cathode)
Glass Slide

7. Project Goal Project Objectives
Determine how graphene makes solar cells more efficient
Project Objectives
Learn the basics of Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) research
Gain expertise in making and characterizing OPV cells
Understand methods of fabricating graphene from graphite
Incorporate graphene in OPV cells
Differentiate between processing techniques and their influence on the solar cell
Evaluate graphene content on cell performance

8. Tasks
Learn methods for making graphene solutions and fabricating solar cell devices
Prepare and analyze graphene solutions for use in solar cell polymers
Fabricate solar cell devices and perform thermal treatment
Characterize the cell through various testing
Conduct morphology and conductivity studies on the polymer films with different graphene concentrations
Report writing and presentations

9. Timeline
Week
Task 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Training: Make Graphene Solution, Fabricate Solar Cell
Graphene Solutions: Prepare, Characterize, and Blend
Polymer Films: Make and Anneal Polymer Layers, Add to Cells
Solar Cell Testing: Cell Efficiency for Varying Graphene Concentrations
Work on Deliverables: Paper, Presentation, Poster

10. Research Training Received
Lab Safety Training
Making Graphene Solutions
UV Spectrophotometer
Blending P3HT and Graphene

11. Research Training Received
Spin Coating Procedure
Performance
Testing
Transmission
Electron
Microscope
Atomic Force
Microscope

12. Progress Made Training is mostly complete!
Created first set of cells (during training)
Tested first set of cells
Currently processing data
Started beginning processes of creating second batch with varying concentrations

13. Questions?