Les cellules solaires organiques à hétérojonction en volume (BHJ en anglais) font l'objet d'un grand intérêt car elles représentent une source d'énergie bon marché et renouvelable. Cependant, à cause des rendements généralement bas, ce type de cellule peine à intégrer le marché. Afin d’en augmenter le rendement, contrôler la morphologie des semi-conducteurs dans la BHJ représente un élément clé. Dans ce contexte, il apparaît, dans la littérature, que les additifs solvant permettent de contrôler cette morphologie et d'augmenter les rendements.Cette thèse a pour but de fournir une étude complète sur l'utilisation des additifs. Le couple de semi-conducteurs étudié est le poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/[6,6]-phényl-C61butanoate de méthyle (PC61BM).Une première partie présente une méthode développée pour guider la sélection d'additifs parmi une liste de solvants. Cette méthode emploie les paramètres de solubilité de Hansen des semi-conducteurs. Elle est appliquée au système P3HT/PC61BM et résulte en l'identification de trois nouveaux additifs performants. Ensuite, des caractérisations structurales, électriques et optiques sont menées sur la BHJ et permettent d'identifier les effets des additifs. Les effets de ces additifs se révèlent être différents en fonction de l'architecture des dispositifs. L'origine de telles différences est corrélée aux variations de mobilités des porteurs de charge causées par les additifs. Des tests de photo-stabilité ont été menés et montrent que les additifs sont capables d'augmenter la stabilité des cellules solaires. L’origine de telles améliorations est étudiée. Enfin, l'étude est étendue à deux autres nouveaux polymères semi-conducteurs. / Polymeric bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted significant interest as a low cost and renewable technology to harvest solar energy. However, their generally low efficiencies are a barrier for their movement into commercial application. Controlling the BHJ morphology is a key step in the pursuit of higher OSC efficiencies. Processing additives have emerged as effective components for optimizing the BHJ morphology. This thesis provides a comprehensive study on the introduction of additives in the formulation of semiconductors. The semiconductor system studied is based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61 BM). First, a method was developed to guide the selection of additives from a large range of solvents. This method employs the Hansen solubility parameters of the semiconductors and was successfully applied to the P3HT/PC61 BMsystem. It resulted in the identification of three new efficient additives. Next, the mechanistic role of additives in influencing the BHJ morphology is investigated by performing structural, electrical and optical characterizations. Also, the effect of additives on OSC performance was found to depend on the type of the OSC architecture. Such differences were correlated to the variations in charge carrier mobilities caused by the additive. Furthermore, photo-stability tests, performed on different types of OSCs, showed that processing additives can improve the photo-stability. The origin of such improvement is investigated. Finally, the scope of this study is extended to two other donor semiconducting polymers.

This dissertation describes the study of organic thin-film solar cells in pursuit of affordable, renewable, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. Particular emphasis is given to the molecular ordering found in liquid crystalline or polycrystalline films as a way to leverage the efficiencies of these types of cells. Maximum efficiencies estimated based on excitonic character of organic solar cells show power conversion efficiencies larger than 10% are possible in principle. However, their performance is often limited due to small exciton diffusion lengths and poor transport properties which may be attributed to the amorphous nature of most organic semiconductors.Discotic liquid crystal (DLC) copper phthalocyanine was investigated as an easily processible building block for solar cells in which ordered molecular arrangements are enabled by a self-organization in its mesophases. An increase in photocurrent and a reduction in series resistance have been observed in a cell which underwent an annealing process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements suggest that structural and morphological changes induced after the annealing process are related to these improvements.In an alternative approach, p-type pentacene thin films prepared by physical vapor deposition were incorporated into heterojunction solar cells with C60 as n-type layers. Power conversion efficiencies of 2.7 % under broadband illumination (350-900 nm) with a peak external quantum efficiency of 58 % have been achieved with the broad spectral coverage across the visible spectrum. Analysis using an exciton diffusion model shows this efficient carrier generation is mainly due to the large exciton diffusion length of pentacene films. Joint XRD and AFM studies reveal that the highly crystalline nature of pentacene films can account for the observed large exciton diffusion length. In addition, the electrical characteristics are studied as a function of light intensity using the equivalent circuit model used for inorganic pn-junction solar cells. Dependences of equivalent-circuit parameters on light intensity are further investigated using a modified equivalent circuit model, and their effects on the overall photovoltaic performance are discussed.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第15613号 / 工博第3302号 / 新制||工||1498(附属図書館) / 28140 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科高分子化学専攻 / (主査)教授 伊藤 紳三郎, 教授 赤木 和夫, 教授 辻井 敬亘 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

Photonic power converters (PPCs) are one of the main components of optical power transmission systems, converting optical power injected by a monochromatic optical source (laser or LED) to electrical power via the photovoltaic effect. This thesis focuses on designing and optimizing ultra-thin single junction InAlGaAs PPC with integrated back reflectors (BR) for operation at the telecommunications wavelength of 1310 nm and numerically studies the light trapping capability of three BR types: planar, cubic nanotextured, and pyramidal nanotextured. Optical simulations were performed by coupling finite difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations with a particle swarm optimization, while electrical simulations were carried out by the finite element drift-diffusion method. With 90% absorptance, optoelectrical simulations revealed that ultra-thin PPCs with 5.6- to 8.4-fold thinner absorber layers can have open circuit voltages (Voc) that are 9-12% larger and power conversion efficiencies that are 9-10% (relative) larger than conventional thick PPCs. Of the studied BR designs, pyramidal BRs exhibit the highest performance for ultra-thin designs, reaching an efficiency of 43.2% with 90% absorptance, demonstrating the superior light trapping capability relative to planar and cubic nanotextured BRs. The sensitivity of optical absorptance to variations in device thickness and incident light wavelength is also investigated numerically in thin PPCs with planar and pyramidal nanotextured BRs. Optical simulation results revealed that BR-induced resonances shift from constructive to destructive interference with thickness variations of ~100 nm and ~70 nm in planar and pyramidal nanotextured BRs, respectively. Also in PPCs with pyramidal BR, a 50 nm variation of the nanotextures’ geometry (base width and height of pyramids) drops the absorptance by more than 25% (absolute).

Cette thèse est divisée en trois parties. La première traite la synthèse de la polyaniline (PANI), un polymère conducteur de trou, utilisé dans plusieurs applications. En variant les quantités du monomère et de l’oxydant tout en fixant leur rapport molaire à 1:1,25, et en ajoutant de l’oxyde de magnésium, des aiguilles et des nouvelles structures semblables aux échinides sont formées. Le mécanisme de formation des structures unidimensionnelles est expliqué à l’aide de la théorie des multicouches. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la fabrication des monocouches photovoltaïques à faible coût en se basant sur le principe de fonctionnement des cellules à pigment photosensible (en anglais DSSC, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell). En 1991, Grätzel a réintroduit l’effet photo-électrochimique en développant la première DSSC, une des cellules solaire troisième génération, formée d’un film de TiO2 (photo-anode) pigmenté à l’aide d’un colorant et d’un électrolyte qui sert à régénérer le pigment oxydé. Malgré leur faible coût, les DSSCs font face à de nombreux problèmes tels que le coût élevé du pigment, la fuite de l’électrolyte, la sublimation du couple I-/I3- à travers I2, etc. Afin de résoudre ces problèmes, des monocouches photovoltaïques ont été développées. Des composites formés de PANI et TiO2 sont la base de ces dispositifs nouvelle génération. La polymérisation in-situ de l’aniline en présence des nanoparticules de TiO2 conduit à une forte interaction entre la PANI et les particules de TiO2 où une structure « core (TiO2)/shell (PANI) » existe dans le composite. Dans le dispositif photovoltaïque basé sur le composite PANI-TiO2, PANI est considérée comme pigment à la photo-anode et comme poly-électrolyte plus profondément dans le composite. En plus, des textiles fabriqués utilisant ces composites photo-génèrent une tension de 0,6 V et un courant de 1 A/m2 lorsque l’éthanol est injecté dans le dispositif. Une nouvelle architecture a été développée qui sert à améliorer la performance de la cellule et en même temps stocker l’énergie pour des utilisations ultérieures. La dernière partie est consacrée à la fabrication des DSSCs basées sur les pigments naturels. L’anthocyane, un pigment naturel halochromique responsable de la couleur rouge dans les plantes, a été extrait du chou rouge et utilisé pour pigmenter les films de TiO2. Cette propriété se traduit par la fabrication des DSSCs de différentes couleurs et comportement photovoltaïque. Avec un pH égal à 0, une Vco et une Jcc de 520 mV et 185 μA/cm2 sont respectivement obtenues prouvant la possibilité d’utiliser le chou rouge comme source de pigment à très faible coût des DSSCs. / This thesis is divided in three parts. The first one deals with the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI), a hole conducting polymer, used in many applications. By varying the quantities of the monomer and the oxidant while fixing the molar ratio at 1:1.25, and by adding magnesium oxide, novel echinoid-like and PANI needles were formed. The formation mechanism of the 1D structures is explained using the multi-layer theory. The second section is devoted for the fabrication of low cost single-layered photovoltaic devices based on the working principle of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In 1991, Grätzel reintroduced the photo-electrochemical effect by developing the first DSSC, one of the third generation solar cells, formed of a TiO2 film (photoanode) sensitized using a dye and an electrolyte regenerating the excited dye. Despite their low cost, DSSCs face many problems such as the high cost of the dye, leaking of the electrolyte, sublimation of the I-/I3- through I2, etc. To solve these problems a single layer photovoltaic device has been developed. Composites formed of PANI, and TiO2 are the basis of the new generation photovoltaics. The in-situ polymerization of aniline inside a titania solution results in a strong interaction between PANI and TiO2 particles where a core (TiO2)/shell (PANI) structure exists inside the composite. In the single-layered photovoltaic device based on PANI-TiO2 composite, PANI is considered as sensitizer at the photoanode and as polyelectrolyte deeper inside the composite layer. In addition, textiles fabricated using such composites generated a voltage of 0.6 V and a current of 1 A/m2 when ethanol is injected in the solar cell. A new architecture has been developed to enhance the performance of the device and at the same time to store the converted energy for later use. The final part is devoted to the fabrication of DSSCs based on natural dyes. Anthocyanin; a halochromic natural dye responsible for the red color in plants, extracted from red cabbage was used to sensitize TiO2 films. This property results in the fabrication of DSSCs with different colors and photovoltaic behavior. At a pH equal to 0, a Voc and Jsc of 520 mV and 185 μA/cm2 were respectively recorded proving the possibility of using red cabbages as a very low cost dye source for DSSCs.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:38:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Karine Klider.pdf: 2018760 bytes, checksum: 075742018dbf1f087bc4c115d778a329 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The introduced work on this dissertation discussion presented in this master’s degree dissertation describes the development of a synthetic rote to obtain a compound that contains an aromatic ring and connected to it two dibromade methyl groups, a CN group and a dye. The dye used at this work was the Rhodamine B, and the final product consists on a monomer that when gets polymerized, by electrochemical route, produces a luminescent polymer to solar cell application. It was described the preparation and the characterization of a series of organic compounds. Some intermediary compounds were prepared after the realization of a lot of steps of synthesis to finally approach the best methodology. The compounds characterization were performed by means of infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic measurements (RMN H1). Another part of this work describes a soluble copolymer preparation by electrochemical rote and it characterization. The prepared copolymer consists on the soluble form of a mixture of poly(2-methoxy-5-bromo-p-phenylenevinylene) (MBPPV) and poly(2,5-dicyano-p-phenylenevinylene) DCN-PPV at different proportion. The copolymer DCN-PPV/MB-PPV and the polymer MB-PPV were synthesized by electrochemical rote and the charges transfer process were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements. These copolymers were characterized by FTIR and UV-VISIBLE absorption spectroscopy and by measurements of fluorescence. / O trabalho apresentado nesta dissertação de mestrado descreve o desenvolvimento de uma rota sintética para a obtenção de um composto contendo um anel aromático e a ele ligados duas metilas dibromadas, um grupo CN, e um corante. O corante em questão é a Rodamina B, e o produto final é um monômero que, ao ser polimerizado por via eletroquímica, forma um polímero eletroluminescente com aplicação em células solares. Foram então descritas as preparações e as caracterizações de uma série de compostos orgânicos. Alguns compostos intermediários foram preparados após a realização de várias etapas de síntese até se obter a melhor metodologia. A caracterização destes compostos foi realizada por meio de medidas de espectroscopia de infravermelho (FTIR) e espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN H1). Outra parte deste trabalho descreve a preparação via eletroquímica de um copolímero solúvel e a sua caracterização. O copolímero formado consiste na mistura do poli(2-metóxi-5-bromo-p-fenilenovinileno) (MB-PPV) com o poli(2,5- diciano-p-fenilenovinileno) (DCN-PPV) em diferentes proporções. O copolímero, assim como o polímero MB-PPV, foram sintetizados eletroquimicamente, sendo que o processo de transferência de carga que ocorre durante sua formação foi estudado por meio de medidas de voltametria cíclica e de cronoamperometria. As caracterizações foram realizadas por medidas de FTIR, de espectroscopia de absorção no UV-Visível e por medidas de emissão e excitação de fluorescência.

[pt] Nesta tese de doutoramento apresentamos a fabricação e a caracterização de dispositivos fotovoltaicos orgânicos (OPVs) fabricados a partir de eletrodos de grafeno e de substratos híbridos flexíveis à base de polímeros recobertos com um filme fino condutor. Para isso, inicialmente sintetizamos filmes de grafeno através da técnica de deposição química em fase de vapor (CVD), seguido de modificações no processo de transferência do grafeno para o substrato desejado. Nesta etapa, desenvolvemos uma nova metodologia utilizando uma blenda condutora de EPDM-PAni que simplifica o processo de transferência e melhora as propriedades elétricas do grafeno. Em outro momento, otimizamos diferentes substratos híbridos à base de polímeros de PVC, PVA e celulose bacteriana (BC) recobertos com um filme fino condutor de ITO. Tanto os substratos híbridos flexíveis, quanto os filmes de grafeno, foram investigados por transmitância ótica e resistência de folha a fim de avaliar os seus potenciais uso para as aplicações em OPVs. Por fim, fabricamos diversas estruturas de OPVs, tanto com o grafeno como eletrodo condutor, quanto usando os substratos híbridos flexíveis. Estes dispositivos foram caracterizados principalmente através das suas curvas características JxV, no escuro e sob iluminação. Além disso, realizamos ciclos de flexão/extensão de alguns dispositivos a fim de avaliar seu comportamento frente aos esforços mecânicos a estes submetidos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que os filmes de grafeno fabricados são promissores para a aplicação como eletrodo condutor transparente em OPVs e que os substratos híbridos investigados podem ser utilizados em dispositivos flexíveis, visto que apresentaram comportamento semelhante aos substratos inorgânicos comumente utilizados. / [en] In this doctoral thesis we present the fabrication and characterization of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) assembled onto graphene electrodes and flexible hybrid polymers-based substrates coated with a conductive thin film. For this, initially the graphene films were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique, followed by modifications in the transfer process of the graphene to the desired substrate. In this step, we developed a new methodology using an EPDM-PAni conductive blend that simplifies the transfer process and improves the electric properties of graphene. We also used another approach which consists in optimizing different hybrid substrates based on PVC, PVA and bacterial cellulose (BC) polymers coated with an ITO conductive thin film. The flexible hybrid substrates as well as the graphene films were investigated by optical transmittance and sheet resistance in order to evaluate their potential use for OPVs applications. Finally, we fabricate various structures of OPVs, using graphene as a conducting electrode, well as using flexible hybrid substrates. Such devices were characterized mainly through their dark and light J×V characteristic curves. In addition, we performed flexion/extension cycles in some devices in order to evaluate their behavior against the mechanical stresses submitted to them. The results showed that the graphene films are a promising material for the application as a transparent conductive electrode in OPVs and the hybrid substrates investigated can be used in flexible devices, since they presented similar behavior to the commonly used inorganic substrates.