High-Efficiency Bulk Heterojunction Organic Thin-Film Solar Cells

Abstract

Organic thin-film solar cells have attracted attention as a novel low-cost solar cell. The organic semiconductor based cells have been studied for more than 30years; however, their power conversion efficiencies have not sufficient to date. In recent years, based on the features of organic materials, a unique concept, “bulk heterojunction”, was proposed and high performance cells have been developed since then. In this article, we review the recent trends to develop highly efficient cells, especally the polymer: fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells based on wet process, and future prospects of them.