Le travail présenté dans ce mémoire porte sur la réalisation et l’étude des cellules solaires PV hybrides à réseaux interpénétrés utilisant les nanofils de silicium. Nos études ont porté essentiellement sur l’optimisation des structures hybrides à base de PVK ou de MEH-PPV mélangé dans leur volume avec une phase de nanofils de silicium, référant aux structures PVK/NFSi et MEH-PPV/NFSi respectivement. Cette étude a montré l’étroite interdépendance entre la morphologie des nanocomposites et les propriétés photovoltaïques des cellules réalisées. Nous avons étudiés l’influence de la concentration des nanofils de silicium sur le processus de dissociation des paires photo-générées. Nous avons également étudié l’effet des traitements thermiques et nous avons mis en évidence un meilleur transfert de charge dans le cas des structures PVK/NFSi. Nous avons aussi observé l’influence bénéfique de la désoxydation ainsi que le traitement de fonctionnalisation des nanofils sur l’amélioration du transfert de charge dans le cas des structures réalisées. En conclusion, nous avons montré que les cellules PV hybrides à réseaux interpénétrés utilisant les nanofils de silicium peuvent être optimisées grâce à la compréhension et au réglage fin du transfert de charges / The work presented in this thesis focuses on the implementation and study of hybrid solar cells interpenetrating networks using silicon nanowires. Our studies have focused on the optimization of hybrid structures based PVK or MEH-PPV mixed in their volume with silicon nanowires phase, referring to structures PVK/NFSI and MEH-PPV/NFSI respectively. This study showed the close interdependence between morphology and properties of nanocomposites photovoltaic cells made. We studied the influence of the concentration of silicon nanowires on the dissociation process of photo-generated pairs. We also studied the effect of heat treatment and we have demonstrated a better load transfer in the case of structures PVK/NFSI. We also observed the beneficial effect of deoxidation treatment and functionalization of the nanowires on the improvement of charge transfer in the case of structures made. In conclusion, we have shown that the PV hybrid cell using silicon nanowires can be optimized through understanding and fine tuning of the charge transfer

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Las perovskitas orgánico-inorgánicas de halogenuros son una familia de materiales estudiados en profundidad por su potencial para construir células solares de alta eficiencia y de bajo coste. Han experimentado un crecimiento exponencial de la eficiencia, pasando del 3% del PCE en 2009 a más del 25% en 2021. Pero todavía quedan retos por superar, como la estabilidad. El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar diferentes tipos de HOIP para aplicaciones fotovoltaicas, incluyendo la optimización del proceso de fabricación y la caracterización completa mediante el análisis de difracción de rayos X, microscopía electrónica de escaneo de emisión de campo, microscopio de fuerza atómica, fotoluminiscencia, UV-absorción visible, cálculo de band-gap, microscopía electrónica de transmitancia, simulación teórica y estudio de degradación de las películas. El objetivo del análisis es obtener la cristalinidad, morfología, topografía, propiedades ópticas, PCE y estabilidad de las capas. Se utilizaron varias estrategias para cumplir el objetivo del trabajo, incluyendo el dopaje con distintos compuestos, la ingeniería de extinción antisolvente y el cambio del catión "B" en la fórmula de las perovskitas; ABX3. La presente disertación se centra en el yoduro de plomo de metilamonio III (CH3NH3I3), que es conocido por presentar una absorción directa de bandgap desde la parte superior de la banda de valencia hasta la parte inferior de la banda de conducción. El bandgap puede modificarse fácilmente variante A, B y X y modularse mediante la selección adecuada de cationes mixtos. Entre las combinaciones posibles, el catión MA y el metal Pb2+ han mostrado excelentes propiedades optoelectrónicas, capas procesables en disolución a baja temperatura y potencial para una estabilidad adecuada, debido a la movilidad del portador de carga muy alta, la gran longitud de difusión de electrones y agujeros, grandes coeficientes de absorción, y bajas tasas de recombinación no radiativa. Concretamente, este doctorado se compone de cuatro artículos: - Stability Improvement of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films by Bismuth Doping - Tetrabutylammonium (TBA)-Doped Methylammonium Lead Iodide: High Quality and Stable Perovskite Thin Films - Manufacture of High-Efficiency and Stable Lead-Free Solar Cells through Antisolvent Quenching Engineering - Investigation on the Stability and Efficiency of MAPbI3 and MASnI3 Thin Films for Solar Cells En resumen, el dopaje de bismuto mejoró la estructura cristalina de la capa absorbente de MAPbI3, mejorando las propiedades optoelectrónicas, la morfología de la superficie de las capas y la estabilidad de los dispositivos. Se estudió el dopaje con bismuto introduciendo cantidades variables de bismuto entre el 1 y el 8% en la solución inicial. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con un 2% de bismuto. También se analizó el dopaje con TBA introduciendo diferentes proporciones en la mezcla inicial para la síntesis de capas de MAPbI3. Observamos que un 5% de TBA reduce la densidad de agujeros en las capas y mejora la cristalinidad, mejorando la estabilidad de las capas MAPbI3. Con la proporción óptima de TBA, aumenta el tamaño del grano y la intensidad de la fotoluminiscencia, debido a la disminución de los centros de recombinación. Dado que el plomo es un elemento contaminante, sustituimos a Pb por Sn para obtener capas de MASnI3, lo que provocó un aumento del tamaño del grano y una mejora del coeficiente de absorción de la luz. Sin embargo, el MASnI3 es más inestable que el MAPbI3. Por eso, se utilizaron diferentes antisolventes en la síntesis de MASnI3. Conocida como ingeniería antisolvente, esta técnica estudia varios antisolventes. En este trabajo, el tolueno ha logrado mejorar la estabilidad de las capas de MASnI3. Utilizando un enfoque numérico mediante SCAPS-1D, se calculó que la eficiencia de los dispositivos fotovoltaicos de MASnI3 aumenta un 9,5% en comparación con los dispositivos de MAPbI3. / [CAT] Les perovskites orgàniques-inorgàniques d'halogenurs són una família de materials estudiats en profunditat pel seu potencial per construir cèl·lules solars d'alta eficiència i de baix cost. Han experimentat un creixement exponencial de l'eficiència, passant del 3% del PCE el 2009 a més del 25% el 2021. Però encara queden reptes per superar, com l'estabilitat. L'objectiu d'aquest treball és estudiar diferents tipus de HOIP per a aplicacions de cèl·lules solars, incloent l'optimització del procés de fabricació i la caracterització completa mitjançant l'anàlisi de difracció de raigs X, microscòpia electrònica d'escaneig d'emissió de camp, microscopi de força atòmica, fotoluminescència, UV- absorció visible, càlcul de band-gap, microscòpia electrònica de transmitància, simulació teòrica amb SCAPS-1D i estudi de degradació de les pel·lícules. L'objectiu de l'anàlisi és obtenir la cristalinitat, morfologia, topografia, propietats òptiques, PCE i estabilitat de les capes. Es van utilitzar diferents estratègies per complir l'objectiu del treball, incloent el dopatge amb diferents compostos, l'enginyeria d'extinció antisolvent i el canvi del catió "B" en la fórmula general de les perovskites; ABX3. La present dissertació se centra en el iodur de plom de metilamoni III (CH3NH3I3), que és conegut per presentar una absorció directa de bandgap des de la part superior de la banda de valència fins a la part inferior de la banda de conducció. El bandgap es pot modificar fàcilment variant A, B i X i modular-se mitjançant la selecció adequada de cations mixts. Entre les combinacions possibles, el catió MA i el metall Pb2+ han mostrat excel·lents propietats optoelectròniques, capes processables en dissolució a baixa temperatura i potencial per a una estabilitat adequada, a causa de la mobilitat del portador de càrrega molt alta, la gran longitud de difusió d'electrons i forats, grans coeficients d'absorció, i baixes taxes de recombinació no radiativa. Concretament, aquest doctorat es compon de quatre articles: -Stability Improvement of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films by Bismuth Doping -Tetrabutylammonium (TBA)-Doped Methylammonium Lead Iodide: High Quality and Stable Perovskite Thin Films -Manufacture of High-Efficiency and Stable Lead-Free Solar Cells through Antisolvent Quenching Engineering -Investigation on the Stability and Efficiency of MAPbI3 and MASnI3 Thin Films for Solar Cells En resum, el dopatge de bismut ha millorat l'estructura cristal·lina de la capa absorbent de MAPbI3, millorant les propietats optoelectròniques, la morfologia de la superfície de les capes i l'estabilitat dels dispositius. Es va estudiar el dopatge amb bismut introduint quantitats variables de bismut entre l'1 i el 8% en la solució inicial. Els millors resultats es van obtenir amb un 2% de bismut. També es va analitzar el dopatge amb tetrabutilamoni introduint diferents proporcions de TBA a la mescla inicial per a la síntesi de capes de MAPbI3. Observem que afegir un 5% de TBA a la mescla inicial redueix la densitat de forats a les capes i millora la cristal·linitat, millorant en l'estabilitat de les capes MAPbI3. Amb la proporció òptima de TBA, augmenta la mida del gra i la intensitat de la fotoluminescència, a causa de la disminució dels centres de recombinació. Com que el plom és un element contaminant, vam substituir Pb per Sn per obtenir capes de MASnI3, cosa que va provocar un augment de la mida del gra i una millora del coeficient d'absorció de la llum. Tanmateix, el MASnI3 és més inestable que el MAPbI3. Per això, es van utilitzar diferents antisolvents en la síntesi de MASnI3. Coneguda com a enginyeria antisolvent, aquesta tècnica estudia diversos antisolvents. En este treball, el toluè ha aconseguit millorar l'estabilitat de les capes de MASnI3. Utilitzant un enfocament numèric mitjançant SCAPS-1D, hem calculat que l'eficiència dels dispositius fotovoltaics basats en MASnI3 augmenta un 9,5% en comparació amb els dispositius de MAPbI3. / [EN] Halide Organic-Inorganic Perovskites are a family of materials that have been studied in depth due to their potential for building high-efficiency and low-cost solar cells. In recent years, they have experienced exponential growth in efficiency, going from 3% of PCE in 2009 to over 25% in 2021. But still, there are numerous challenges to overcome, such as stability. The purpose of this work is to study different kinds of HOIPs for solar cell applications, including the optimization of the manufacturing process and the complete characterization by the analysis of Xray-diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscope, photoluminescence, UV-visible absorption, band-gap calculation, Transmittance electron microscopy, theoretical simulation with SCAPS-1D, and degradation study of the films. The objective of the analysis is to obtain crystallinity, morphology, topography, optical properties, PCE, and stability of the layers. Different strategies were used to fulfil the goal of the work, including doping with different compounds, antisolvent quenching engineering, and changing the cation "B" in the general formula of perovskites; ABX3. The present dissertation is focused in methylammonium lead iodide III (CH3NH3I3), which is known for exhibiting direct bandgap absorption from the top of the valence band to the bottom of the conduction band. The bandgap can be easily modified by varying A, B, and X and modulated by the suitable selection of mixed cations. Among the possible combinations, MA cation and metal Pb2+ have exhibited excellent optoelectronic properties, low-temperature solution-processable films, and potential for appropriate stability, due to very high charge-carrier mobility, large electron and hole diffusion length, large absorption coefficients, and low nonradiative recombination rates. Specifically, this PhD is composed of four papers: - Stability Improvement of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Thin Films by Bismuth Doping - Tetrabutylammonium (TBA)-Doped Methylammonium Lead Iodide: High Quality and Stable Perovskite Thin Films - Manufacture of High-Efficiency and Stable Lead-Free Solar Cells through Antisolvent Quenching Engineering - Investigation on the Stability and Efficiency of MAPbI3 and MASnI3 Thin Films for Solar Cells To sum up, bismuth doping has improved the crystalline structure of the absorbent layer of MAPbI3, which leads to a significant improvement in the optoelectronic properties, the morphology of the surface of the layers, and even improves the stability of the devices. Bismuth doping was studied introducing variable amounts of bismuth between 1 and 8% in the initial solution. Best results were obtained with 2% bismuth. Doping with tetrabutylammonium (TBA) was also analysed by introducing different proportions of TBA in the initial mixture for the synthesis of MAPbI3 layers. We observed that adding 5% TBA to the initial solution reduces the density of pinholes in the layers and improves crystallinity, which leads to a considerable improvement in the stability of the MAPbI3 layers. With the optimal proportion of TBA, it is possible to increase the grain size and the intensity of the photoluminescence, due to the decrease in recombination centres. Since lead is a polluting element, we substituted Pb for Sn to obtain MASnI3 layers, which led to increasing grain size and enhancing light absorption coefficient. However, MASnI3 shells are more unstable than MAPbI3 shells. To overcome this, different anti-solvents were used in the synthesis of MASnI3 shells. Known as antisolvent engineering, this technique studies several antisolvents. In our work, toluene has managed to improve the stability of the MASnI3 layers. Using a numerical approach using SCAPS-1D, we have calculated that the efficiency of photovoltaic devices (PCE) based on MASnI3 increases by 9.5% when compared to devices based on MAPbI3. / Marí Guaita, J. (2022). Different Approaches for Improving the Stability of Hybrid Perovskites [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/191430 / Compendio

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Master of Science / Department of Chemistry / Jun Li / With the increasing consumption of energy and the depletion of fossil fuels, finding an alternative energy source is critical. Solar energy is one of the most promising energy sources and solar cells are the devices that convert solar radiation into electricity. Currently, the most widely used solar cell is based on p-n junction formed with crystalline silicon materials. While showing high efficiency, the high fabrication cost limits its broad applications. Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is a promising low-cost alternative to the Si solar cell, but its efficiency is much lower. Improvements in materials and interfaces are needed to increase the DSSC efficiency while maintain the low cost. In this thesis, three projects were investigated to optimize the DSSC efficiency and reduce the cost. The first project is to optimize the TiO[subscript]2 barrier layers on Fluorine-doped Tin Dioxide (FTO) surface. Two preparation methods, i.e. TiCl[subscript]4 solution treatment and thermal oxidation of sputtered Ti metal films, were employed and systematically studied in order to minimize electron-hole recombination and electron backflow during photovoltaic processes of DSSCs. TiCl[subscript]4 solution treatment method was found to create a porous TiO[subscript]2 barrier layer. Ti sputtering method created a very compact TiO[subscript]2 blocking layer. Two methods showed different characteristics and may be used for different DSSC studies. The second project is to reduce the DSSC cost while maintaining the efficiency by replacing the expensive Pt counter electrode with a novel vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF) electrode. A large specific electrode surface area (~125 cm[superscript]2 over 1 cm[superscript]2 geometric area) was obtained by using VACNFs. The relatively high surface area, good electric conductivity and the large numbers of active graphitic edges existed in cone-like microstructure of VACNFs were employed to improve redox reaction rate of I[subscript]3[superscript]-/I[superscript]- mediators in the electrolyte. Faster electron transfer and good catalytic activities were obtained with such counter electrodes. The third project is to develop a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method to coat TiO[subscript]2 shells on VACNF arrays as potential photoanodes in the DSSC system in order to improve the electron transfer. Fabrication processes were demonstrated and preliminary materials were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. MOCVD at 300 mTorr vapor pressure at 550° C for 120 min was found to be the optimal condition.

Project report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. / Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Three SunSlates™ were investigated to predict the performance of a fully installed system. The three slates were mounted on a fixed tilt of 30°, but with different orientations. The tilt is close to latitude of the Stellenbosch site, which is 33.92°. The one faces due east, another due west and last due north. This is to determine the effect that orientation has on the energy from the SunSlates™. Another slate, also facing north, was mounted on an adjustable framework. The framework was used to adjust the tilt angle of the slate, the orientation of the slate was constantly north. This slate was used to determine the effect of tilt on the total daily energy produced by the slate. To determine the performance of the slates daily measurements of temperature, solar insolation and wind was taken. These were used to investigate the effects on the SunSlates™. During the test period, which scheduled from September to November, the results show a difference, smaller than commonly believed, in the daily and annual energy delivered from the differently orientated slates. The slates facing east and west, however, have similar energy outputs, even though the power profiles differ. The north facing slate has the highest annual energy output, as expected. It was found that during the months of summer, November to January, the optimal tilted slate (Slate tilted to have a incidence angle of 0° from solar rays at noon) had a slightly lower energy output, but higher maximum power output per day than the 30 degree tilted slate. This is in contrast to the energy output predictions for the winter months where in the winter the energy can be as much as double that of the 30 degree tilted slate. The thorough testing and expert installation of the SunSlates™ are essential. From the case study it can be seen that some problems during installation, possibly a single faulty slate or shadowing, can cause a complete system to lose 30% of its efficiency. / Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

The tandem solar cell concept is a promising approach to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. However, characterization of tandem solar cell devices is challenging since correct efficiency determination demands special experimental infrastructure as well as suitable characterization procedures. Even though the appropriate IEC and ASTM measurement standards define all that very precisely, they cannot be applied without special care to organic photovoltaics (OPV) because they were originally developed for inorganic devices. As a consequence, nowadays almost all tandem organic solar cell publications are not using correct characterization procedures, often resulting in questionable efficiency values. The aim of this work is developing a measurement procedure for tandem organic solar cells assuring their correct characterization. Therefore, at first the existing standards and measurement procedures for tandem solar cells are reviewed and challenges when applying these standards to organic solar cells are identified. As main challenges the relatively low fill factors and distinct nonlinearities of organic solar cells are identified. As preliminary experiments, single junction organic solar cells are investigated to analyze the influence of measurement parameters like bias irradiance, bias voltage, and chopper frequency on the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of organic solar cells. This results in parameter sets assuring minimized artifacts for the subsequent EQE determination of the subcells of tandem organic solar cells. The main part of this thesis presents the detailed characterization of a tandem OPV example device. First, EQE is measured and validated by two independent institutes. The EQE results are used to calculate the illumination conditions to reach AM1.5g conditions for both subcells with a multi-source sun simulator. The resulting efficiency value under standard reporting conditions (SRC) is found to be 5% lower than the efficiency measured with a single-source sun simulator. A full spectrometric characterization shows that differing fill factors of the subcells are the reason for this behavior. To overcome the main reason for the complicated measurement procedure of tandem solar cells, the inaccessibility of the individual subcells, three different approaches for the jV-characteristics determination of the subcells are presented. The so-called Bias Voltage Approach is based on EQE-measurements under varying bias voltage and needs no additional electrical contacts. Therefore, it can be applied to existing devices. The Voltage Contact Approach as well as the Current Contact Approach require in changed stack designs. Therefore, they cannot be applied to existing devices but give more accurate results. Finally, a procedure for characterizing tandem organic solar cells is formulated. This procedures aims at giving practical advice how to characterize tandem organic solar cells to achieve results conforming to the measurement standards and being as accurate and reproducible as possible. Hence, this thesis attempts to establish standards for a correct measurement of tandem organic solar cells of which other emerging solar cell technologies can profit as well.

Harnessing solar energy has become a promising clean and renewable energy source alternative to fossil fuels since the development of low-cost dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and organic photovoltaic solar cell devices. Their power-conversion efficiencies, below 13% and 9% respectively, still limit the economic viability of these technologies. The geometry and optical properties of photonic crystals can be used to improve the absorption and charge collection efficiencies of these devices. This thesis describes the fabrication of TiO2 DSSC and ZnO-polymer solar cell devices based on a three-dimensional photonic crystal structure. Photonic crystal polymer structures were produced by holographic lithography and thermally stabilized in order to be used as templates for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of various metal oxides. For this purpose, an ALD apparatus was built and ALD processes for the growth of TiO2, ZnO, Al2O3, ZnO:Al, and Zr3N4 were established and deposited on photonic crystal templates. After ALD, the template was removed by calcination at 500°C, at which ZnO:Al films lost their conductivity of 250 S/cm preventing their use as transparent conducting oxide (TCO) electrodes. The produced 90 nm TiO2 photonic crystal shell DSSC and TiO2 inverse replica devices based on the dye N-719 and iodine/iodide redox electrolyte provided power-conversion efficiencies of 0.9% and 0.49% respectively and their diffusion lengths were 2× and 3× longer than that of a nanocrystalline reference device respectively. ZnO-polymer devices, comprising a P3HT layer as absorber and PEDOT:PSS film as hole-transporter, were also investigated.

Due to climate change and its effects, alternative renewable energy sources are needed in the future human society. In the work of this thesis, the Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) has been investigated and characterized. DSCs are appealing as energy conversion devices, since they have high potential to provide low cost solar light to electricity conversion. The DSC is built up by a working electrode consisting of a conductive glass substrate with a dye-sensitized mesoporous TiO2 film, a counter electrode with a catalyst and, in between, the electrolyte which performs the charge transport by means of a redox mediator. The aim of this thesis was to develop and evaluate cheap and environmentally friendly materials for the DSC. An alternative polymer-based counter electrode catalyst was fabricated and evaluated, showing that the PEDOT catalyst counter electrode outperformed the platinum catalyst counter electrode. Different organic dyes were evaluated and it was found that the dye architecture affected the performance of the assembled DSCs. A partly hydrophilic organic triphenylamine dye was developed and applied in water-based electrolyte DSCs. The partly hydrophilic dye outperformed the reference hydrophobic dye. Small changes in dye architecture were evaluated for two similar dyes, both by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. A change in the length of the dialkoxyphenyl units on a triphenylamine dye, affected the recombination and the regeneration electron transfer kinetics in the DSC system. Finally, three water soluble cobalt redox couples were developed and applied in water-based electrolyte DSCs. An average efficiency of 5.5% (record efficiency of 5.7%) for a 100% water-based electrolyte DSC was achieved with the polymer-based catalyst counter electrode and an organic dye with short dimethoxyphenyl units, improving the wetting and the regeneration process.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organic semiconductors are used to manufacture thin film (smaller than 50nm) photovoltaic devices. Layer thicknesses are calibrated with the use of an AFM and QCM crystals. An in house method is prepared for solar cell comparison, and AM1.5G (one sun equivalent) testing is performed on manufactured solar cells. The importance of layer thickness and the exciton blocking layers are also highlighted. Numerical modelling of the optical electric field amplitude is done by the transfer matrix method, to take optical interference effects into consideration. The photo generated current was extracted as a function of absorption with varying position in the active layers, and used to excite a general model for organic photovoltaic cells. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Organiese halfgeleiers word gebruik vir die vervaardiging van dun-film (kleiner as 50nm) fotovoltaïse toestelle. Laagdiktes is gekalibreer deur die gebruik van ’n AFM en QCM kristalle. ’n Inhuis metode is voorberei vir die vergelyking van vervaardigde selle. Daarna is AM1.5G (een son ekwivalente) toetse uitgevoer op die vervaardigde sonselle. Die belangrikheid van laag dikte en die “exciton” blok lae word ook beklemtoon. Numeriese modellering van die optiese elektriese veld amplitude word gedoen deur die oordrag matriks metode, om optiese interferensie gevolge in ag te neem. Die foto-gegenereerde stroom is as ’n funksie van absorpsie onttrek met wisselende posisie in die aktiewe lae, en is gebruik in ’n algemene model vir organiese fotovoltaïse selle.

Research on pi-conjugated organic materials in the recent past has produced enormous developments in the field of organic electronics and it is mainly due to their applications in electronic devices such as organic field effect transistors (OFETs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs). The primary goal of this research work is to design and synthesize high performing charge transport organic semiconductors. One of the criteria for better performance of the organic thin film transistor (OTFT) is to have high uniform thin film morphology of the organic semiconductor layer on the substrate. The first project in this dissertation has been directed towards improving the thin film morphology of the functionalized pentacenes through liquid crystalline behaviour. The results have suggested the possibility of thermotropic liquid crystalline phases in 6,13-bis(diisopropylhexylsilylethynyl) pentacene which has no pi-stacking in its solid state and the presence of silyl group at the peri-position is crucial for the stability of the functionalized pentacenes. In the second project, i have investigated the effect of alkyl groups with varying chain length on the anthradithiophene chromophore on the performance of the charge transporting devices. Organic blend cell based on solution processable 2,8-diethyl-5,12-bis(triethylsilylethynyl) anthradithiophene has showed 1% power conversion efficiency and the performance is mainly attributed to the large crystalline phase segregation of the functionalized anthradithiophene from the amorphous soluble fullerene derivative matrix. OTFT study on alkyl substituted functionalized anthradithiophenes suggested the need of delegate balance between thin film morphology and the crystal packing. Third project has been directed towards synthesizing halogen substituted functionalized anthradithiophenes and their influence in the performance of OFETs. OTFT made of 2,8-difluoro-5,12-bis(triethylsilylethynyl) anthradithiophene produced devices with thin film hole mobilities greater than 1 cm2/Vs. The result suggested that the device is not contact limited rather this high performance OTFTs are due to the contact induced crystallinity of the organic semiconductor.