Plastic Solar Cells “The nex-gen

Power”

A B.Tech. Seminar Report

Submitted in partial fulfilment of
The requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Technology
Under Biju Patnaik University of Technology

Submitted by
M.vamsi krishna Roll ECE201618370

2018-2019

Under the guidance of

Dr. Rajesh Kumar patjoshi

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Palur Hills, Berhampur, Odisha - 761008, India
PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

ABSTRACT

Technology has reached to such a dizzy height that man leaves no stone unturned to
Find the least alternatives. Such an innovation has led to the rise of plastic solar cells; rightly
called “the nex-gen power”. These cells apart from their specific design & cost converts solar
energy into electric energy in a very cost – effective way. In addition with being cost-effective,
plastic solar panels are also flexible, light weight, and thin, which enables new applications,
not possible using traditional silicon solar panel technology; thus providing renewable energy
from sun. They open up a wide range of new application areas in renewable energy, which
are not currently addressable with conventional silicon solar panel technology. Plastic solar
panels will be the first in solar capable of generating electricity on par with conventional fuel
costs.

Figure – 1: Picture of a solar cell, which utilizes Nano rods to convert light into electricity

Plastic solar cell technology has the advantage over other renewable sources of energy in a
numerous ways. Low cost of raw material and manufacturing, low material usage,
fabrication at low temperature and eco-friendly are some of the factors that supports the use
of plastic solar cells. The development of inexpensive, mass-produced plastic solar panels
is a goal of intense interest for many of the world's scientists and engineers because of the
high cost and shortage of the ultra-high purity silicon and other materials normally required.

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our proud privilege to epitomize our deepest sense of gratitude and indebtedness to our
advisor, Dr. Rajesh Kumar patjoshi for his valuable guidance, keen and sustained interest,
intuitive ideas and persistent endeavour. His inspiring assistance, laconic reciprocation and
affectionate care enabled us to complete our work smoothly and successfully.

We extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Durga Prasad Dash, B. Tech. Seminar Coordinator,
for giving us the opportunity and motivating us to complete the project within stipulated
period of time and providing a helping environment.

We would also like to thank Dr. Sukant K. Mohapatra (Chairman, NIST), Prof.
Sangram Mudali (Director, NIST) and Prof. Geetika Mudali (Placement Director,
NIST) for having been the ultimate source of inspiration and moral support.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our parents and friends for their
unflinching support and help.

M. vamsi krishna

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to plastic solar cells ............................................................................
1.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................
1.3 Scope .......................................................................................................................
2. THE "BULK HETEROJUNCTION" CONCEPT

3. WORKING OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELL

4. IMPROVEMENTS

4.1 Improving the efficiency of plastic solar cell

5. COST EFFECTIVENESS

6. APPLICATIONS

7. ADVANTAGES

8. DISADVANTAGES

9. CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure – 1: Picture of a solar cell – page - 1

Figure – 2: plastic solar cell…… – page - 6
Figure – 3: Diagram of a photovoltaic solar cell – page - 6
Figure – 4: Schematic band diagrams for single layer………. – page - 8
Figure – 5: construction of plastic solar cell – page - 9
Figure – 6: AFM images…………..– page - 10
Figure – 7: current density vsVoltage density ………– page - 11
Figure – 8: Optical absorption spectra……………….. – page - 11

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction to plastic solar cells

Plastic solar cells are made up of layers of different materials, each with a specific function,
called a sandwich structure. One layer absorbs the light, another helps to generate the
electricity, and others help to draw the electricity out of the device. Normally, the layers
don't stick well, and so the electricity ends up stuck and never gets out, leading to inefficient
devices. A new process for printing plastic solar cells boosts the power generated by the
flexible and cheap form of photo voltaic. The bottom cell is filled with a proprietary
polymer. The polymer (a derivative of polythiophene) absorbs both infrared and ultraviolet
light. Next comes a titanium-sub oxide layer, which seals in the bottom cell, provides a
foundation for building the top layer and a sit's a metal, efficiently carries away the charged
electrons generated in both layers. Finally the top layers ports a different type of conducting
polymer that absorbs mostly blue and green light. Efficiency is significantly lower however
because polymers are poor charge conductors.
These organic semiconductors are soft, carbon-based materials synthesized from products
(often by products) of the petroleum industry. The molecular structures of these materials
have an alternating arrangement of single and double bonds between carbon atoms. A
system of atoms arranged in this way is said to be conjugated which is the basis of everyday
effects such as the colors of chlorophyll and beta-carotene. Such a molecule accommodates
electric charge relatively easily, by allowing the charge to spread out overall its atoms.
Conjugated molecules together form a solid semiconductor with properties like those of
silicon. The absorption of light and the separation of charges take place within a thin film
of about one hundred nanometers. This film contains both n-and p type materials and is
sandwiched between two types of electrodes a transparent electrode and a reflective
electrode. The transparent electrode usually collects holes, while the reflective electrode
usually collects electrons. If efficient plastic solar cells could be made inexpensively, what
would be the outcome?
The dream is that energy would be revolutionized through the use of cheap solar material
that could be paved onto flat expanses or spray-painted on to cars. Realistic and short-term
applications for plastic solar cells include light weight power sources for portable (even
wearable) electronics; low-cost, off-grid power for rural areas of developing countries; and
other applications in which low cost, rather than state-of-the art efficiency, is the goal.

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Plastic solar cells could become an important source of renewable energy, but more research
is required to overcome limitations inefficiency. Nevertheless a better future of clean energy
can be expected in the near future.

Figure – 2: plastic solar cell

1.2 OBJECTIVE
An organic solar cell (OSC) or plastic solar cell is a type of photovoltaic that uses organic
electronics, a branch of electronics that deals with conductive organic polymers or small
organic molecules, for light absorption and charge transport to produce electricity from
sunlight by the photovoltaic effect.
The photovoltaic effect is the creation of voltage and electric current in a material upon
exposure to light. It is a physical and chemical phenomenon. The photovoltaic effect is
closely related to the photoelectric effect.

Figure – 3: Diagram of a photovoltaic solar cell

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

1.3 SCOPE
The plastic solar cells could one day become more efficient than the current solar cell. The
researchers combined specially designed Nano particles called quantum dots with a polymer
to make the plastic that can detect energy in the infrared, with further advances the new
plastic solar cell could allow up to 30% of sun’s radiant energy to be harnessed completely
when compared to only 6% in today best plastic solar cells.
A large amount of sun’s energy could be harnessed through solar farms and used to power
all our energy needs. This could potentially displace other source of electrical production
that produce greenhouse gases like coal.
Solar energy reaching the earth is 10000 times than what we consume. If we could cover
0.1% of the earth’s surface with the solar farms we could replace all our energy habits with
a source of power which is clear and renewable.

2. the “Bulk Heterojunction” Concept

Before analyzing results from donor/acceptor bulk Heterojunction solar cells based on
conjugated polymer/fullerene composites, relevant results from single layer semiconducting
polymer devices with asymmetric contacts (a low work function metal on one side and a
high work function metal on the opposite side, a MIM ªtunneling injection diodeº) are
discussed; such devices have been described by Parker. A schematic cross-sectional band
diagram of such devices is displayed in Figure 4. In forward bias, tunneling injection diodes
exhibit relatively high efficiency electroluminescence, which is promising for flat panel
and/or flexible, large area display applications. In reverse bias, on the other hand, the
devices exhibit a strong photo response with a quantum yield >20% (el/ph. at±10 V reverse
bias).[6,47] Devices based on derivatives of polythiophene exhibited even better photo
response (80% el/ph. at±15 V), competitive with ultraviolet (UV) sensitized Si
photodiodes.[6,47] A PV response was observed under zero bias conditions.[6,47] The
charge carrier concentration in these undoped, pristine materials is sufficiently low in dark
so that the semiconducting layer (several hundred nanometers) is fully depleted; there is
negligible band bending at the metal± polymer interface. Note, however, that the mobility
of injected charge carriers is not symmetric; in most conjugated polymers, the electron
mobility is lower than the whole mobility. Upon photo induced charge carrier generation,
an additional effect may become representative. For low charge carrier density materials
photo doping may be sufficient in these materials to lead to interface effects such as photo-
induced band bending or photo induced space charge regions. Such effects are typical for

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organic semiconductors. The exact nature of this band bending and barrier creation at the
interfaces under light illumination will be an important parameter for optimizing the solar
cell performance in these devices. For PV cells made with pure conjugated polymers, energy
conversion efficiencies were typically 10±3±10±1 %, too low to be used in practical
applications. Consequently, interpenetrating phase separated D/A network composites i.e.,
ªbulk Heterojunctionº would appear to be ideal PV materials. Through control of the
morphology of the phase separation into an interpenetrating network, one can achieve a high
interfacial area within a bulk material. If any point in the composite is within a few
nanometers of a D/A interface, such a composite is a ªbulk D/A Heterojunctionº material. If
the D/A networks in a device are bicontinuous, as shown schematically.

Figure – 4:

Schematic band diagrams for single layer conjugated polymer devices at various values of
forward bias. Forward bias is defined with respect to ITO

3. WORKING OF PLASTIC SOLAR CELL

The solar cell created is actually a hybrid, comprised of tiny Nano rods dispersed in an
organic polymer or plastic. A layer only 200 nanometers thick is sandwiched between
electrodes and can produce at present about .7 volts. The electrode layers and Nano rods
/polymer layers could be applied in separate coats, making production fairly easy. And
unlike today’s semiconductor-based photovoltaic devices, plastic solar cells can be
manufactured in solution in a beaker without the need for clean rooms or vacuum chambers.

The technology takes advantage of recent advances in nanotechnology specifically the

production of Nano crystals and Nano rods. These are chemically pure clusters of 100 to
100000 atoms with dimensions of the order of a nanometer, or a billionth of a meter.
Because of their small size, they exhibit unusual and interesting properties governed by
quantum mechanics, such as the absorption of different colors of light depending upon their

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

size. Nano rods were made of a reliable size out of cadmium selenide, a semi conducting
material.

Nano rods are manufactured in a beaker containing cadmium selenide, aiming for rods of
diameter-7 nanometers to absorb as much sunlight as possible. The length of the Nano rods
may be approximately 60nanometers.Then the Nano rods are mixed with a plastic
semiconductor called p3ht-poly-(3-hexylthiophene) a transparent electrode is coated with
the mixture. The thickness, 200 nanometers-a thousandth the thickness of a human hair-is a
factor of 10 less than the micron-thickness of semiconductor solar cells. An aluminium
coating acting as the back electrode completed the device. The Nano rods act like wires.
When they absorb light of a specific wavelength, they generate an electron plus an electron
hole-a vacancy in the crystal that moves around just like an electron. The electron travels
the length of the rod until it is collected by aluminium electrode. The hole is transferred to
the plastic, which is known as a hole-carrier, and conveyed to the electrode, creating a
current.

Figure - 5: construction of plastic solar cell

4. IMPROVEMENTS
Some of the obvious improvements include better light collection and
concentration, which already are employed in commercial solar cells. Significant
improvements can be made in the plastic, Nano rods mix, too, ideally packing the Nano rods
closer together, perpendicular to the electrodes, using minimal polymer, or even none-the
Nano rods would transfer their electrons more directly to the electrode. In their first-
generation solar cells, the Nano rods are jumbled up in the polymer, leading to losses of
current via electron-hole recombination and thus lower efficiency.
They also hope to tune the Nano rods to absorb different colors to span the spectrum of
sunlight. An eventual solar cell has three layers each made of Nano rods that absorb at
different wavelength.

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

They also hope to tune the Nano rods to absorb different colors to span the spectrum of
sunlight. An eventual solar cell has three layers each made of Nano rods that absorb at
different wavelength.

4.1 Improving the Efficiency of Plastic Solar Cells

The power conversion efficiency of bulk Heterojunction solar cells can be improved
dramatically by manipulating the morphology of the components as well as of the blend.
The resulting several-fold enhancement in the short circuit current of PV devices originates
from improved mobility of the charge

Figure – 6: AFM images showing the surface morphology of MDMO±PPV/PCBM

Figure 6 shows AFM images of the surfaces of MDMO± PPV/PCBM blend films spin-
coated using either toluene or chlorobenzene. The images show clearly a much more

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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

uniform mixing of the constituents using chlorobenzene as solvent. To compare the impact
of these different morphologies on the PV device performance, solar cells were fabricated
in an identical manner except for the choice of solvent (either toluene or chlorobenzene)
used for spin-coating the active layer. A plot of the current density versus voltage for the
two devices is shown in Figure 7. The active area of these high efficiency devices is 7.5
mm2. The open-circuit voltages of the cells are almost identical (0.82 V). However, the
chlorobenzene-based device exhibits a more than two-fold increase in the short-circuit
current density as compared to the toluene-based device (5.25 versus 2.33 mA/cm2). As
shown in Figure 8, the optical absorption spectra of the active layer films are nearly
identical, except for a small red-shift in the MDMO±PPV absorption (425±575 nm) in the
chlorobenzene-cast film, as expected for the increased effective conjugation length. Figure
14b shows the external quantum efficiency, or IPCE ratio, as a function of Wavelength,
indicating that the charge carrier collection is a sensitive function of the morphology. The
increase in efficiency relies on an increase of charge carrier mobility as observed by field-
effect mobility measurements of the single components as well as of the mixtures processed
form the different solvents. The hole mobility in pristine MDMO±PPV is approximately
one order-of-magnitude greater in films spin-coated from chlorobenzene as compared to
toluene cast ones.

Figure - 7: current density vs Voltage Figure – 8: Optical absorption spectra of

density for two devices 100 nm thick MDMO±PPV/PCBM

5. Cost-Effectiveness

Ultimately, a large amount of the sun's energy could be harnessed through "solar farms" and
used to power all our energy needs, the researchers predict. "This could potentially displace
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PLASTIC SOLAR CELL “The nex-gen Power” B.Tech. 2016-2020

other sources of electrical production that produce greenhouse gases, such as coal," Sargent
said. In Japan, the world's largest solar-power market, the government expects that 50
percent of residential power supply will come from solar power by 2030, up from a fraction
of a percent today. The biggest hurdle facing solar power is cost effectiveness. At a current
cost of 25 to 50 cents per kilowatt-hour, solar power is significantly more expensive than
conventional electrical power for residences. Average U.S. residential power prices are less
than ten cents per kilowatt-hour, according to experts. But that could change with the new
material. Flexible, roller-processed solar cells have the potential to turn the sun's power into
a clean, green, convenient source of energy. Alternative energy-solar energy cells made of
everyday plastic. In research published today in Nature Materials magazine, UCLA Engg.
professor Yang , postdoctoral researcher Gang Li and graduate student Vishal Shrotriya
showcase their work on an innovative new plastic (or polymer) solar cell they hope
eventually can be produced at a mere 10 percent to20 percent of the current cost of
traditional cells, making the technology more widely available. Quantum dots grown using
colloidal synthesis can be dried into thin films. The application of the colloidal solution
containing the polymer to a metal Nano mask consisting of an array of sub-micron holes
allows near-field detection of any quantum dots that lie directly under a hole. While the
distribution of quantum dots in the film is random, variation of the quantum dot density is
easily achieved by dilution, enabling an optimum density for the mask hole size to be found.
If two or more quantum dots lie under a hole in the mask, they will be detected
spectroscopically. The use of a metal Nano mask for this near-field detection enables the
mask to be charged, which in turn will apply an electric field to the quantum dots under
observation. The application of such an electric field will provide a means of continuously
varying the coupling between quantum dots, which is effectively the J-gate operation.

6. APPLICATIONS
1. Silicon possesses some Nano scale properties. This is being exploited in the
development of a super thin disposable solar panel poster which could offer the rural
dwellers a cheap and an alternative source of power. Most people living in remote
areas are not linked to national electricity grid and use batteries or run their own
generator to supply their power needs. Disposal solar panels can be made in thin
sheets with about 6-10 sheets stacked together and made into a poster can help them
to some extent in this regard. This poster could be mounted behind a window or
attached to a cabinet.
2. Like paint the compound can also be sprayed onto other materials and used as
portable electricity.
3. Any chip coated in the material could power cell phone or other wireless devices.

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4. A hydrogen powered car painted with the film could potentially convert energy into
electricity to continually recharge the car’s battery.One day solar farms consisting
of plastic materials could be rolled across deserts to generate enough clear energy to
supply the entire planet’s power needs

7. ADVANTAGES
Plastic solar cells are quite a lot useful in the coming future. This is because of the large
number of advantages it has got. Some of the major advantages are:
1. They are considered to be 30% more efficient when compared to conventional solar
cells.
2. They are more efficient and more practical in application.
3. Traditional solar cells are bulky panels. This is very compact.
4. Conventional solar cells are only used for large applications with big budgets. But the
plastic solar cells are feasible as they can be even sewn into fabric- thus having vast
applications.
5. Flexible, roller processed solar cells have the potential to turn the sun’s power into a
clean, green, consistent source of energy.

8. DISADVANTAGES

1. The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. This includes paying for
solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation.
2. A few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy system. You
should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the night.
3. Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These
batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that
the energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long
but it is also quite expensive.
4. Solar PV panels require a lot of space and some roofs are not big enough to fit the
number of solar panels that you would like to have. An alternative is to install some

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of the panels in your yard but they need to have access to sunlight. If you don’t have
the space for all the panels that you wanted, you can opt for installing fewer to still
satisfy some of your energy needs.
5. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the
manufacturing process of solar photovoltaic systems, which can indirectly affect the
environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than other alternative
energy sources.

9. Conclusion
Hence, it is known that Plastic Solar cell has a bright future due to its cheaper cost,
flexibility, ability to convert Infrared light and easy manufacturing process. It could be the
primary Source of Energy for the whole World.
Plastic solar cells help in exploiting the infrared radiation from the sun’s rays. They are
more effective when compared to the conventional solar cell. The major advantage they
enjoy is that they can even work on cloudy days, which is not possible in the former. They
are more compact and less bulky. Though at present, cost is a major drawback, it is bound
be solved in the near future as scientists are working in that direction. As explained earlier,
if the solar farms can become a reality, it could possibly solve the planets problem of
depending too much on the fossil fuels, without a chance of even polluting the environment.

References:
1. Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications: Edelstein, A. S., Cammarata
R. C., Eds.; Institute of Physics Publishing: Bristol and Philadelphia, 1996.
2. Peter Fairly-Technology Review, British Columbia.
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Friend, P. L. Burns, A. B. Holmes, Nature 1990, 347, 539.
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7. Solar cell & Nanotechnology – Report.

8. The Coming Era of Nanotechnology; 1987. Drexler, K. Eric, Doubleday; New York.

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