Organic and solution-processed tandem solar cells with 17.3% efficiency.

Meng, Lingxian; Zhang, Yamin; Wan, Xiangjian; Li, Chenxi; Zhang, Xin; Wang, Yanbo; Ke, Xin; Xiao, Zuo et al. · Science · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Although organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells have many advantages, their performance still lags far behind that of other photovoltaic platforms. A fundamental reason for their low performance is the low charge mobility of organic materials, leading to a limit on the active-layer thickness and efficient light absorption. In this work, guided by a semi-empirical model analysis and using the tandem cell strategy to overcome such issues, and taking advantage of the high diversity and easily tunable band structure of organic materials, a record and certified 17.29% power conversion efficiency for a two-terminal monolithic solution-processed tandem OPV is achieved.