Cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) are two leading semiconductor materials used in the fabrication of thin film solar cells of relatively high power conversion efficiency and low manufacturing cost. In this work, CdS/CdTe solar cells with a varying set of processing parameters and device designs were fabricated and characterized for comparative evaluation. Studies were undertaken to elucidate the effects of (i) each step in fabrication and (ii) parameters like thickness, sheet resistance, light absorptivity solution concentration, inert gas pressure etc. Best results were obtained when the thickness of CdS planar film for the window layer was in the range of 150 nm to 200 nm. Also, CdS nanowires were fabricated for use as the window layer in CdS-CdTe solar cells. Their materials characteristics were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Spectral absorption measurements on the planar CdS films and nanowire CdS layers were performed and results compared. It was established that the nanowire CdS design was superior because its absorption of sunlight was far less than that of planar CdS film, which would lead to enhanced performance in the CdS-CdTe solar cell through higher short circuit current density and higher open circuit voltage. Diode behavior of CdS-CdTe devices on planar CdS and nanowire CdS was analyzed and compared. KEYWORDS: Thin Film Solar Cell, Nanowire, UV Absorption, Open-circuit Voltage, Close Space Sublimation

Les convertisseurs DC-DC suscitent un intérêt considérable en raison de leur puissance élevée et de leurs bonnes performances. Ils sont particulièrement utiles dans les systèmes multisources de production d'énergie électrique. Toutefois, en raison du grand nombre de composants sensibles utilisés dans ces circuits et comprenant des semi-conducteurs de puissance, des bobines et des condensateurs, une probabilité non négligeable de défaillance des composants doit être prise en compte. Cette thèse considère l'un des convertisseurs DC-DC les plus prometteurs - le convertisseur ZVS à pont isolé de type Buck. Une approche en deux étapes est présentée pour détecter et isoler les défauts en circuit ouvert dans les semi-conducteurs de puissance des convertisseurs DC-DC. La première étape concerne la détection et la localisation des défauts dans un convertisseur donne. La seconde étape concerne sur les systèmes munis de plusieurs convertisseurs DC-DC. Les méthodes proposées sont basées sur les réseaux Bayesiens (BBN). Les signaux utilisés dans ces méthodes sont ceux des entrées de mesure du système de commande et aucune mesure supplémentaire n'est requise. Un convertisseur expérimental ZVS à pont isolé de type Buck a été conçu et construit pour valider la détection et la localisation des défauts Sur un seul convertisseur. Ces méthodes peuvent être étendues à d'autres types de convertisseurs DC-DC. / DC-DC converters have received significant interest recently as a result of their high power capabilities and good power quality. They are of particular interest in systems with multiple sources of energy. However due to the large number of sensitive components including power semiconductor devices, coils, and capacitors used in such circuits there is a high likelihood of component failure. This thesis considers one of the most promising DC-DC converters—the ZVS full bridge isolated Buck converter. An approach with two stages is presented to detect and isolate opencircuit faults in the power semiconductor devices in systems with DC-DC converters. The first stage is the fault detection and isolation for a single DC-DC converter, while the second stage works on a system with multiple DC-DC converters. The proposed methods are based on Bayesian Belief Network (BBN). The signals used in the proposed methods are already available as measurement inputs to control system and no additional measurements are required. An experimental ZVS full bridge isolated Buck converter has been designed and built to validate the fault detection and isolation method on a single converter. The methods can be used with other DC-DC converter typologies employing similar analysis and principals.

The paper presents the development methodology of a hydrostatic pump/motor for use in Parker Hannifin’s advanced series hydraulic hybrid transmissions for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles. With Parker’s established bent-axis pump/motor technology for heavy duty mobile applications as a basis, it describes the main stages of further development and qualification for demanding automotive main drive transmissions. Parker’s APQP based, customer focused product development model was employed for this development which resulted in the variable bent-axis pump/motor C24 for open circuit hydrostatic transmissions. Positive customer results from a large fleet of in-service refuse collection trucks and parcel delivery vans with Parker advanced hydraulic hybrid drive systems using C24 pumps/motors serve as evidence of Parker’s product development model effectiveness. High reliability, good fuel economy, increased productivity and long brake life of the vehicles can directly be traced back to the streamlined, front-loaded and iterative development model.

Recently, conductive polymer/carbon nanomaterials have drawn attention for use in corrosion inhibition, sensors, energy storage devices, and coatings for electromagnetic shielding applications due to their good mechanical properties and electronic conductivity. Therefore, efforts have been made to find fast and facile methods for the synthesis and development of these hybrids that allow control over key parameters, such as the thickness of the conductive polymer coating. In this study, such hybrids were prepared using polyaniline (PANI) as the conductive polymer and vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) as the carbon nanomaterial or filler by a semi-dilute in situ polymerization method to be evaluated for their effectiveness as corrosion inhibitory additives to alkyd paints. Spectroscopic, colorimetric, and electric properties of PANI-coated VGCNFs were investigated. The thickness of the PANI coating, along with other parameters, impacts the behavior and mechanisms by which the nanomaterial performs its role in a given application, particularly in the corrosion inhibition processes. Thus, different synthesis conditions, including pretreatment of the nanofibers, the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant, PreT-VGCNF/ANI ratios (w/w), and polymerization times were tested and their effects on the PANI thickness were microscopically and statistically evaluated. It was found that only different PreT-VGCNF/ANI ratios allowed definite control of the PANI thickness. No clear effect on the thickness was observed after three hours of polymerization. The presence of SDS and pretreatment of VGCNFs displayed a synergistic effect on the appearance and thickness of the PANI film. PANI-coated VGCNF additives, with PANI in the leucoemeraldine base (LEB) and emeraldine base (EB) forms, were synthesized using a PreT-VGCNF/ANI ratio of 0.4 in the presence of SDS. Cold-rolled steel coupons were coated with 20-30 ìm thick alkyd paint coatings, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated by open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance (EIS) measurements. The results indicate that, overall, EB/VGCNF additive performed better as a corrosion inhibitor, followed by PreT-VGCNF and LEB/VGCNF additives.

In a context of an expected increasing use of Lithium-ion batteries in the transportation sector, Volvo AB is developing its own solutions for large electric vehicles. It is then beneficial to reduce the costs, the energy demand and the raw materials demand by improving the battery systems’ performances. For that purpose, understanding the physical phenomena which come into play in lithium ion cells is necessary. This project’s motivation has been to deepen the existing knowledge on one or a group of these phenomena which include those at the origin of the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) hysteresis. It is characterized by the difference in charging and discharging voltage when the cell is at a resting state. These voltage differences might result in heat losses in the cells. In this thesis, the behaviour of the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) under different operating conditions is studied, and a Preisach empirical hysteresis model is developed. The core part of the work consisted in experimental measurements of the Open-Circuit-Voltage of 10 Ah prismatic LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells. These measurements were completed using the Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) that consists of alternative current pulse and relaxation phases. The tests were performed using relaxation times ranging from 1 hour to 48 hours with the cells being under various cycles (series of charge and discharge). The impacts of the temperature, various current rates from 0.1C to 1C (1 A to 10 A) on the OCV and the voltage relaxation were evaluated. The amplitude of the OCV hysteresis that does not vanish after full relaxation, which is defined by the difference between the OCV charge and the OCV after discharge, was found to vary between 5 mV and 20-25 mV depending on the State-of-Charge of the cells. Two peaks are identified around 20-30% and 65-70% State-of-Charge. The measured OCV hysteresis with 24 hours relaxation is about half of the measured OCV hysteresis with 2-5 hours relaxation. The experiments also measured an apparent smaller OCV hysteresis when the magnitude of the current increases; this trend is to be verified after full relaxation. The temperature has an impact on the OCV which is averaging around ±0.2 mV/K. The analysis of the voltage relaxation behaviour described that at low temperatures and low C-Rates, the cells get closer to equilibrium voltage at a slower pace. In addition, a higher test time, characterized by longer relaxation times after each step and/or a larger number of steps within the same State of Charge (SOC) range, tends to increase the time required for the cell to reach an equilibrium. After completing the OCV measurements, a Preisach hysteresis model is developed based on the experimental results. The model predicts the OCV variations of an Lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) cell at ambient temperature when going through various charge and discharge cycles. Its estimated Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is 3 mV, but the accuracy of the model could be partially confounded with measurement uncertainty. The main outcomes are a more accurate description of the voltage relaxation behaviour and a new estimation of the amplitude of the OCV hysteresis in LFP cells. / I en värld där det finns en förväntad ökning av användandet av litiumjonbatterier inom transportsektorn, utvecklar AB Volvo sina egna lösningar för stora elfordon som lastbilar. För att reducera kostnaderna, energibehovet och efterfrågan på råvaror, är det nödvändigt att förstå fysiska fenomen inom litiumjoncellerna eftersom det kan hjälpa till att förbättra systemens prestanda. Examensarbetets motivation är att fördjupa kunskapen om fenomenen vid uppkomsten av öppen kretsspänningshysteres inom litiumjärnfosfatceller. Denna hysteres definieras av skillnaden mellan öppen kretsspänning (Open-Circuit-Voltage eller OCV) under laddning och OCV under urladdning. Det orsakar över- och underspänning som ökar värmeförlusterna i litiumjoncellerna. Detta projekt studerar beteendet av både spänningsrelaxation och OCV för ett valt intervall av parametrar. Sedan utvecklas en Preisach empirisk modell. Huvuddelen av arbetet bestod i den experimentella mätningen av OCV av 10 Ah prismatiska LiFePO4 celler (Litiumjärnfosfatceller). Dessa experiment genomfördes medelst en mätprocedur som kallas Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique eller Galvanostatisk intermittent titreringsteknik (GITT). Testerna innehåller växelvis strömpuls- och relaxationsfaser. Spänningsrelaxationsfaserna varade mellan 1 och 48 timmar under olika laddnings- och urladdningscykler. Inverkan av båda temperaturen och strömstyrkan (mellan 0.1C och 1C) på OCV utvärderades. Amplituden för OCV hysteresen som kvarstår efter full relaxation beräknades ligga mellan 5 mV och 20-25 mV beroende på cellersladdningstillstånd. Två hysterestoppar identifierades: en runt 70% och en andra mellan 20% och 30% laddningstillstånd. Hysteresen som mäts med 24 timmar av relaxation är runt hälften av hysteresen som mäts med två till fem timmar av relaxation. Med större strömstyrka är den uppmätta hysteresen lite lägre. Ytterligare tester bör göras för att verifiera att hysteresen fortfarande är lägre efter full relaxation. Temperaturen har en begränsad effekt på den totala hysteresen, men entropikoefficientensvärdet är i genomsnitt runt ± 0.2 mV/K. Analysen av relaxations beteende beskriver att en högre temperatur och strömstyrka ökar hastigheten med vilken jämviktspotentialen nås efter strömpulsen. Dessutom orsakaren ökning av den totala testlängden en långsammare relaxering. En längre testtid karaktäriseras av en längre relaxationstid efter varje strömpuls och/eller flera steg för laddningstillstånd. Efter OCV-mätningarna, byggdes en Preisach hysteresmodel med hjälp av de experimentella resultaten. OCV-variationer under olika laddnings och urladdnings cykler modellerades vid rumstemperatur med ett uppskattat minsta kvadratfel på cirka 3 mV. Modellen testades inte med ett begränsat antal cykler så den exakta noggrannheten behöver ytterligare verifieras för att få ner mätosäkerheten. Det huvudsakliga bidraget från detta examensarbete är uppskattning av amplituden för den hysteresen och beskrivningen av spänningsrelaxering efter olika strömpulser, såväl i längd som i amplitud.

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Foram desenvolvidos sistemas de medidas visando a caracterização de células solares de sílico monocristalino. Para isso, foram determinadas as características I x V no escuro para diferentes níveis de iluminação. Curvas de resposta espectral e capacitância em função da tensão inversa aplicada foram também obtidas. Foi feita uma avaliação do comportamento dessas células em função da temperatura e realizadas medidas de profundidade de junção utilizando-se três métodos distintos. Os principais parâmetros, que determinam o desempenho dessas células, foram obtidos boa concordância com a teoria e com os resultados apresentados na literatura. / Systems of measurements were developed for the characterization of single crystal silicon solar cells. For that, the curves I x V were measured in the dark and for different intensity of illumination. Curves of spectral response and of capacitance as a function of the reciprocal of the voltage were also measured. The behavior of the cells as a function of temperature was analysed and also measurements of junction depth were made by three different methods. Values for the parameters that characterize the cells were obtained, showing a good agreement with theoretical values and also with already reported values.

L’utilisation des convertisseurs de puissance dans les applications de transport électrique à base de pile à combustible ouvre les portes de recherche sur la problématique de leur fiabilité puisqu’un défaut dans ces circuits pourrait provoquer une panne ou un disfonctionnement se répercutant sur l’ensemble de la chaine de traction. Le convertisseur statique considéré est un hacheur élévateur à six bras parallèles et entrelacés à fréquence de découpage égale à 100kHz ayant un gain en tension élevé (égal à 5). Il comporte avec le choix des éléments passifs une ondulation de courant d’entrée faible et interface une pile à combustible de 21kW (70V, 300A) et une charge résistive de 350V (valeur proche des réseaux comportant des batteries Li-ion). Ces systèmes incorporent des interrupteurs de puissance semi-conducteurs qui sont les composants les plus fragiles et qui sont soumis à des contraintes électriques et thermiques sévères pour les applications automobiles. L’utilisation de la technologie en carbure de silicium pour ces cellules semi-conductrices élémentaires accompagne un réel besoin industriel des filières de développement des systèmes miniaturisés et intègre les préoccupations des constructeurs automobiles autour de la mise en œuvre opérationnelles des technologies innovantes embarquées et fiables. En effet, cette technologie des composants semi-conducteurs, dit «grand-gap», est à coup sûr un candidat sérieux pour optimiser l’efficacité énergétique et l’intégration de puissance des convertisseurs, pour pile à combustible, plus robustes vis-à-vis des contraintes de l’usage transport. Dans mes travaux de thèse, les défauts de type court-circuit et circuit-ouvert d’interrupteurs de puissance en carbure de silicium sont alors considérés pour satisfaire la continuité de service et annuler l’influence de cette dégradation d’une part sur la source électrochimique et d’autre part sur la charge. Les méthodes de détection proposées sont des méthodes simples et non intrusives. Elles utilisent la tension drain et source VDS de l’interrupteur de puissance comme indicateur de défaut pour juger de la présence d'un court-circuit ou un circuit-ouvert. Le principe de détection consiste à comparer la tension VDS à une tension seuil paramétrable (à fixer pour le composant en carbure de silicium). Une fois la phase inductive défectueuse est identifiée, un processus de de gestion des défauts par la commande est mis en œuvre. Dans le cas de court-circuit une stratégie de soulagement par la commande est appliquée pour adoucir la coupure de courant de la branche inductive en défaut. Puis suivra l’isolation de cette ligne via des interrupteurs spécifiques qui supportent une ouverture du circuit à fort courant (exemple: fusible ultra-rapide) et une reconfiguration par la commande du convertisseur de puissance (passage de 6 à 6-i phases, avec i nombre de défauts). Dans le cas de circuit-ouvert, qui un défaut qui isole automatiquement le bras défectueux, si aucune action préventive n’est planifiée la continuité de service est assurée mais à plus d’ondulations de courant sur les bras du convertisseur statique. Pour éviter cet effet, la reconfiguration par la commande est nécessaire. / The use of power converters in fuel cell electrical transport applications drives research to study the problem of their reliability, since a fault in these circuits could cause a breakdown or a malfunction that affects the entire system of the powertrain. The converter under consideration is a six-phase interleaved boost converter operating in unidirectional power flow in continuous conduction mode with a 100 kHz switching frequency and a high voltage gain (equal to 5). It allows, with the choice of passive elements, a low input current ripple and interfaces a 21kW fuel cell (70V, 300A) and a resistive load of 350V (value close to the networks with batteries Li-ion). These systems contain semiconductor power switches which are the most fragile components and are subject to severe electrical and thermal stresses for automotive applications. The use of silicon carbide technology for these semiconductor components accompanies a real industrial need for development of a miniaturized system and integrates the concerns of manufacturers of electric vehicles around the implementation of innovative, embedded and reliable technologies. Indeed, this technology of semiconductor components is certainly a serious candidate to optimize the energy efficiency and power integration of converters, for fuel cells, more robust against constraints of the transport use. In my thesis work, switch short-circuit and switch open-circuit faults of silicon carbide power switches are considered to satisfy the continuity of service and to cancel the influence of this degradation on both the fuel cell source and the charge. The proposed detection methods are simple and non-intrusive. They use the drain to source voltage VDS of the power switch as a fault indicator to judge the presence or not of a short-circuit or an open-circuit switch fault. The detection principle consists in comparing the VDS voltage with a configurable threshold voltage (to fix it for the silicon carbide component). Once the faulty inductive phase is identified, a fault management process by the control is implemented. In the case of switch short-circuit fault, firstly a control strategy is applied to soften the break of current of the faulty inductive phase. After faulty phase isolation using specific switches that support breaking of the high-current circuit (example: high-speed fuse) and a reconfiguration by the control of the power converter (transition from 6 to 6-i phases, with i number of faults). In the case of switch open-circuit fault, which automatically isolates the defective phase, if any preventive action is planned the continuity of service is ensured but to more current ripple on the arms of the DC/DC converter. To avoid this effect, reconfiguration by the command is necessary.

This thesis deals with the device physics of organic solar cells. Organic photovoltaics (OPV) is a field of applied research which has been growing rapidly in the last decade leading to a current record value of power-conversion efficiency of 10 percent. One major reason for this boom is a potentially low-cost production of solar modules on flexible (polymer) substrate. Furthermore, new application are expected by flexible or semitransparent organic solar cells. That is why several OPV startup companies were launched in the last decade. Organic solar cells consist of hydrocarbon compounds, deposited as ultrathin layers (some tens of nm) on a substrate. Absorption of light leads to molecular excited states (excitons) which are strongly bound due to the weak interactions and low dielectric constant in a molecular solid. The excitons have to be split into positive and negative charges, which are subsequently collected at different electrodes. An effective dissociation of excitons is provided by a heterojunction of two molecules with different frontier orbital energies, such that the electron is transfered to the (electron) acceptor and the positive charge (hole) remains on the donor molecule. This junction can be realized by two distinct layers forming a planar heterojunction or by an intermixed film of donor and acceptor, resulting in a bulk heterojunction. Electrodes are attached to the absorber to collect the charges by providing an ohmic contact in the optimum case. This work focuses on the electrical processes in organic solar cells developing and employing a one-dimensional drift-diffusion model. The electrical model developed here is combined with an optical model and covers the diffusion of excitons, their separation, and the subsequent transport of charges. In contrast to inorganics, charge-carrier mobilities are low in the investigated materials and charge transport is strongly affected by energy barriers at the electrodes. The current-voltage characteristics (J-V curve) of a solar cell reflect the electrical processes in the device. Therefore, the J-V curve is selected as means of comparison between systematic series of simulation and experimental data. This mainly qualitative approach allows for an identification of dominating processes and provides microscopic explanations. One crucial issue, as already mentioned, is the contact between absorber layer and electrode. Energy barriers lead to a reduction of the power-conversion efficiency due to a decrease in the open-circuit voltage or the fill factor by S-shaped J-V curve (S-kink), which are often observed for organic solar cells. It is shown by a systematic study that the introduction of deliberate barriers for charge-carrier extraction and injection can cause such S-kinks. It is explained by simulated electrical-field profiles why also injection barriers lead to a reduction of the probability for charge-carrier extraction. A pile-up of charge carriers at an extraction barrier is confirmed by measurements of transient photocurrents. In flat heterojunction solar cells an additional reason for S-kinks is found in an imbalance of electron and hole mobilities. Due to the variety of reasons for S-kinks, methods and criteria for a distinction are proposed. These include J-V measurements at different temperatures and of samples with varied layer thicknesses. Most of the studies of this this work are based on experimental data of solar cells comprisiing the donor dye zinc phthalocyanine and the acceptor fullerene C60. It is observed that the open-circuit voltage of these devices depends on the mixing ratio of ZnPc:C60. A comparison of experimental and simulation data indicates that the reason is a changed donor-acceptor energy gap caused by a shift of the ionization potential of ZnPc. A spatial gradient in the mixing ratio of a bulk heterojunction is also investigated as a donor(acceptor)-rich mixture at the hole(electron)-collecting contact is supposed to assist charge extraction. This effect is not observed, but a reduction of charge-carrier losses at the “wrong” electrode which is seen at an increase in the open-circuit voltage. The most important intrinsic loss mechanism of a solar cell is bulk recombination which is treated at the example of ZnPc:C60 devices in the last part of this work. An examination of the dependence of the open-circuit voltage on illumination intensity shows that the dominating recombination mechanism shifts from trap-assisted to direct recombination for higher intensities. A variation of the absorption profile within the blend layer shows that the probability of charge-carrier extraction depends on the locus of charge-carrier generation. This results in a fill factor dependent on the absorption profile. The reason is an imbalance in charge-carrier mobilities which can be influenced by the mixing ratio. The work is completed by a simulation study of the influence of charge-carrier mobilities and different recombination processes on the J-V curve and an identification of a photoshunt dominating the experimental linear photocurrent-voltage characteristics in reverse bias. / Diese Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit der Physik organischer Solarzellen. Die organische Photovoltaik ist ein Forschungsgebiet, dem in den letzten zehn Jahren enorme Aufmerksamkeit zu Teil wurde. Der Grund liegt darin, dass diese neuartigen Solarzellen, deren aktueller Rekordwirkungsgrad bei 10 Prozent liegt, ein Potential für eine kostengünstige Produktion auf flexiblem (Polymer)substrat aufweisen und aufgrund ihrer Vielfältigkeit neue Anwendungsbereiche für die Photovoltaik erschließen. Organische Solarzellen bestehen aus ultradünnen (einige 10 nm) Schichten aus Kohlenwasserstoffverbindungen. Damit der photovoltaische Effekt genutzt werden kann, müssen die durch Licht angeregten Molekülzustände zu freien Ladungsträgern führen, wobei positive und negative Ladung an unterschiedlichen Kontakten extrahiert werden. Für eine effektive Trennung dieser stark gebundenden lokalisierten angeregten Zustände (Exzitonen) ist eine Grenzfläche zwischen Molekülen mit unterschiedlichen Energieniveaus der Grenzorbitale erforderlich, sodass ein Elektron auf einem Akzeptor- und eine positive Ladung auf einem Donatormolekül entstehen. Diese Grenzschicht kann als planarer Heteroübergang durch zwei getrennte Schichten oder als Volumen-Heteroübergang in einer Mischschicht realisiert werden. Die Absorberschichten werden durch Elektroden kontaktiert, wobei es für effiziente Solarzellen erforderlich ist, dass diese einen ohmschen Kontakt ausbilden, da ansonsten Verluste zu erwarten sind. Diese Arbeit behandelt im Besonderen die elektrischen Prozesse einer organischen Solarzelle. Dafür wird ein eindimensionales Drift-Diffusionsmodell entwickelt, das den Transport von Exzitonen, deren Trennung an einer Grenzfläche und die Ladungsträgerdynamik beschreibt. Abgesehen von den Exzitonen gilt als weitere Besonderheit einer organischen Solarzelle, dass sie aus amorphen, intrinsischen und sehr schlecht leitfähigen Absorberschichten besteht. Elektrische Effekte sind an der Strom-Spannungskennlinie (I-U ) sichtbar, die in dieser Arbeit als Hauptvergleichspunkt zwischen experimentellen Solarzellendaten und den Simulationsergebnissen dient. Durch einen weitgehend qualitativen Vergleich können dominierende Prozesse bestimmt und mikroskopische Erklärungen gefunden werden. Ein wichtiger Punkt ist der schon erwähnte Kontakt zwischen Absorberschicht und Elektrode. Dort auftretende Energiebarrieren führen zu einem Einbruch im Solarzellenwirkungsgrad, der sich durch eine Verringerung der Leerlaufspanung und/oder S-förmigen Kennlinien (S-Knick) bemerkbar macht. Anhand einer systematischen Studie der Grenzfläche Lochleiter/Donator wird gezeigt, dass Energiebarrieren sowohl für die Ladungsträgerextraktion als auch für die -injektion zu S-Knicken führen können. Insbesondere die Tatsache, dass Injektionsbarrieren sich auch negativ auf den Photostrom auswirken, wird anhand von simulierten Ladungsträger- und elektrischen Feldprofilen erklärt. Das Aufstauen von Ladungsträgern an Extraktionsbarrieren wird durch Messungen transienter Photoströme bestätigt. Da S-Knicke in organischen Solarzellen im Allgemeinen häufig beobachtet werden, werden weitere Methoden vorgeschlagen, die die Identifikation der Ursachen ermöglichen. Dazu zählen I-U Messungen in Abhängigkeit von Temperatur und Schichtdicken. Als eine weitere Ursache von S-Knicken werden unausgeglichene Ladungsträgerbeweglichkeiten in einer Solarzelle mit flachem Übergang identifiziert und von den Barrierefällen unterschieden. Weiterer Forschungsgegenstand dieser Arbeit sind Mischschichtsolarzellen aus dem Donator-Farbstoff Zink-Phthalozyanin ZnPc und dem Akzeptor Fulleren C60. Dort wird beobachtet, dass die Leerlaufspannung vom Mischverhältnis abhängt. Ein Vergleich von Experiment und Simulation zeigt, dass sich das Ionisationspotenzial von ZnPc und dadurch die effektive Energielücke des Mischsystems ändern. Zusätzlich zu homogenen Mischschichten werden Solarzellen untersucht, die einen Gradienten im Mischungsverhältnis aufweisen. Die Vermutung liegt nahe, dass ein hoher Donatorgehalt am Löcherkontakt und ein hoher Akzeptorgehalt nahe des Elektronenkontakts die Ladungsträgerextraktion begünstigen. Dieser Effekt ist in dem hier untersuchten System allerdings vergleichsweise irrelevant gegenüber der Tatsache, dass der Gradient das Abfließen bzw. die Rekombination von Ladungsträgern am “falschen” Kontakt reduziert und somit die Leerlaufspannung erhöht. Der wichtigste intrinsische Verlustmechanismus einer Solarzelle ist die Rekombination von Ladungsträgern. Diese wird im letzten Teil der Arbeit anhand der ZnPc:C60 Solarzelle behandelt. Messungen der Leerlaufspannung in Abhängigkeit von der Beleuchtungsintensität zeigen, dass sich der dominierende Rekombinationsprozess mit zunehmender Intensität von Störstellenrekombination zu direkter Rekombination von freien Ladungsträgern verschiebt. Eine gezielte Variation des Absorptionsprofils in der Absorberschicht zeigt, dass die Ladungsträgerextraktionswahrscheinlickeit vom Ort der Ladungsträgergeneration abhängt. Dieser Effekt wird hervorgerufen durch unausgeglichene Elektronen- und Löcherbeweglichkeiten und äußert sich im Füllfaktor. Weitere Simulationsergebnisse bezüglich des Einflusses von Ladungsträgerbeweglichkeiten und verschiedener Rekombinationsmechanismen auf die I-U Kennlinie und die experimentelle Identifikation eines Photoshunts, der den Photostrom in Rückwärtsrichtung unter Beleuchtung dominiert, runden die Arbeit ab.

Membrane transport processes underlie many purification technologies. The efficiency of a membrane separation process depends upon material throughput (flux), and the degree to which the membrane discriminates amongst species in the feed stock (selectivity). In a supported liquid membrane, flux may be enhanced by carrier molecules, which act as catalysts of translocation. Carrier molecules also confer selectivity, via differential molecular recognition of the substances in the feed stock. The effect of electrical potential on the flux and selectivity of carrier-containing supported liquid membranes is not well documented. We elected to study the effect of electrical potential on supported liquid membranes containing valinomycin, a potassium ionophore, and a calixarene ester, a sodium ionophore. In these systems, the open circuit membrane potential could be made positive or negative by the choice of anion. With both of these carriers, we observed that selectivity for potassium or sodium salts was dependent on the open circuit membrane potential. To confirm that electrical potential was responsible for the observed selectivity variance, we applied a potential across the membrane using a potentiostat. The applied potential created conditions for carrier-mediated electrodialysis, where oxidation and reduction reactions on either side of the membrane act as the driving force for transmembrane flux of charged species. In chronoamperometry experiments, we found that selectivity for potassium or sodium ion was dependent on the applied electrical potential. Subject to some constraints, selectivity and flux could be controlled by the application of positive or negative electrical potentials. Linear sweep voltammetry experiments allowed for the rapid prediction of the potential that must be applied to achieve optimal selectivity. We also found that membrane potential measurements, as well as the magnitude of current that flows in chronoamperometry experiments, could be interpreted to predict Eisenman and Hofmeister sequences. These results are novel, and await a convincing theoretical justification. The results also suggest that a separation technology could be developed around the idea of modulating selectivity with electrical potential. In this regard, carrier-mediated electrodialysis may be suitable for the sequestration of toxic or radioactive heavy metals, and a large number of carrier molecules for metal ions are currently known. The technique may also be suitable for separating organic molecules, such as high-value chiral pharmaceuticals. Supported liquid membranes are a useful research tool, but industrial applications may require a more stable membrane architecture. / Graduate