ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL AND LIGHT EMITTING DIODE WITH AN ARRAY OF 3-DIMENSIONALLY FABRICATED ELECTRODES

• US 20110162687A1
• Filed: 06/09/2009
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: San Diego State University (SDSU) Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: SDSU Research Foundation
• Inventors: Moon, Kee Suk, Kassegne, Samuel, Morsi, Khaled
• Granted Patent: US 8,629,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/30 comprising bulk heterojunctions, e.g. interpenetrating networks of donor and acceptor material domains
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/81 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/83 comprising arrangements for extracting the current from the cell, e.g. metal finger grid systems to reduce the serial resistance of transparent electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/125 specially adapted for multicolour light emission, e.g. for emitting white light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/805 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/813 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/822 characterised by their shape
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/1135 Polyethylene dioxythiophene [PEDOT]; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/20 Carbon compounds, e.g. carbon nanotubes or fullerenes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/549 Organic PV cells

Abstract

Disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a novel photovoltaic cell that uses unique microarchitectural and multi-layer functional designs. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, is a 3-dimensional electrode.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:

a) a plurality of three-dimensional electrodes comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from;

carbon, a carbon allotrope, or an organic polymer; and

b) at least one photoactive material.

2. The cell of claim 1, wherein the shape of the electrodes varies along the vertical axis and wherein the photovoltaic cell provides energy conversion efficiency of at least 5%, 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% or 50%.

3. The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the three-dimensional electrodes are coated with a conductive polymer.

4. The cell of claim 3, wherein the electrodes comprise anodes and cathodes and the anodes are selectively coated with the conductive polymer.

5. The cell of claim 3, wherein at least some of the anodes are coated with PEDOT:

PSS.

6. The cell of claim 1, further comprising two clear layers whereby the electrodes and the photoactive material and sandwiched between the two clear layers.

7. The cell of claim 6, wherein electromagnetic radiation passes through at least two of the clear layers and at least a portion of said electromagnetic radiation is converted to energy.

8. The cell of claim 7, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is visible light.

9. The cell of claim 7, wherein a photon from the electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by the photoactive material.

10. The cell of claim 9, wherein the photoactive material comprises a donor polymer and absorption of the photon excites an electron in the donor polymer.

11. The cell of claim 10, wherein an excited electron migrates to the cathode creating a potential difference.

12. The cell of claim 1, wherein the diffusion length for migrating charges is less than 100 nm.

13. The cell of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional electrodes form an array comprising anodes and cathodes.

14. The cell of claim 13, wherein at least some of the anodes have a work function of 5 eV or higher.

15. The cell of claim 13, wherein at least some of the cathodes have a work function of 5 eV or less.

16. The cell of claim 1, wherein at least some of the three-dimensional electrodes are in the shape of a cylinder, a pyramid, a diamond, sphere, hemisphere, or a rectangular prism.

17. The cell of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional electrodes are in the shape of pyramids.

46. A solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells according to claim 1.

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47. A three dimensional electrode comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from:

carbon, a carbon allotrope, or an organic polymer, and wherein the shape of the electrode varies along the vertical axis.

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65. An electroluminescent cell comprising:

a) a plurality of three-dimensional diodes comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from;

carbon, a carbon allotrope, or an organic polymer; and

b) a current source.

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98. A three dimensional diode comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from:

carbon, a carbon allotrope, or an organic polymer, and wherein the shape of the diode varies along the vertical axis.

99. The diode of claim 98, wherein at least a portion of the three-dimensional diode is coated with a conductive polymer.

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115. A photovoltaic cell comprising:

(a) a plurality of three-dimensional electrodes comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from;

a metal, a metal alloy, an intermetallic material, a metallic glass, a composite material, a polymer, biocompatible material, or combinations thereof; and

(b) at least one photoactive material;

wherein the shape of the electrodes varies along the vertical axis.

116. A solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells according to claim 115.

117. A three dimensional electrode comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from:

a metal, a metal alloy, an intermetallic material, a metallic glass, a composite material, a polymer, biocompatible material, or combinations thereof; and

wherein the shape of the electrode varies along the vertical axis.

118. An electroluminescent cell comprising:

a) a plurality of three-dimensional diodes comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from;

a metal, a metal alloy, an intermetallic material, a metallic glass, a composite material, a polymer, biocompatible material, or combinations thereof; and

b) a current source;

wherein the shape of the diodes varies along the vertical axis.

119. A three dimensional diode comprising a conductive or semi-conductive material, wherein the conductive or semi-conductive material is selected from:

a metal, a metal alloy, an intermetallic material, a metallic glass, a composite material, a polymer, biocompatible material, or combinations thereof, and wherein the shape of the diode varies along the vertical axis.