ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

Organic photovoltaics (OPV) are solar cells that use organic materials, typically organic polymers or small molecules, to convert sunlight into electricity. These materials are carbon-based and offer advantages like flexibility and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. OPV works by absorbing photons from sunlight, exciting electrons in the organic material, creating electron-hole pairs. These charged particles then move through the material, generating an electric current. The organic layers in the device facilitate this process, allowing for the conversion of light energy into electrical energy. However, OPV devices can experience degradation over time due to environmental factors such as moisture, oxygen, and UV exposure. These elements can cause chemical and physical changes in the organic materials, leading to a decrease in the device's efficiency and overall performance. Our research group focuses on the understanding and comprehension of degradation mechanisms in organic photovoltaic devices. Degradation tests are conducted following international degradation protocols (ISOS protocols). The experiments will investigate changes in the fundamental properties governing the transport mechanisms of the device.