1 Introduction to Solar Energy …
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mediator, contributes to its applicability as the preferred CE material. However, the
use of Pt CE adhere major drawbacks such as the high cost and its susceptibility to
undergo corrosion. These limitations have emphasized the importance of exploring
alternative cost effective functional materials with better conductivity and electrocatalytic properties. Subsequently, the limitations of using Pt as the CE materials,
and the advantages and challenges associated with alternative materials have been
elaborated. Conducting polymers with extended conjugate electron systems are a
promising substitute material for Pt in DSCs. A wide range of conducting polymers
and polymer hybrid composites have been investigated for their applicability as CEs
in DSCs. These polymers have gained popularity not just due to cost effectiveness
compared to Pt but also due to their promising conductivity, superior electrocatalytic
properties, easy preparation and fabrication. Different types of conjugated polymers
and polymer hybrid composites, their synthetic methods, fabrication processes and
their respective photovoltaic performances are then reviewed. Finally, the future
prospects of conducting polymers as CE material has been discussed.
Chapter 18: Organic solar cell (OSC) is one of the promising photovoltaic technology for next generation low-cost renewable energy sources. The power conversion
efficiencies (PCE) of OSCs have reached above 14% in single-junction and ~17%
in tandem OSCs. This rapid increase in the performance is mostly profited from the
synergetic advances in rational molecular design, device processing and interfacial
layer modifications. In addition to the development of efficient photoactive materials,
interfacial design plays a crucial role in the improvement of device performance and
stability. Most importantly, the interfacial layer is responsible for establishing good
ohmic contact in the device, thus minimize the resistance, interfacial recombination
and improve charge selectivity. In this chapter, we present the recent development
in the electron and hole transporting interfacial materials design for both singlejunction and tandem OSCs. Special attention will be paid to the design principles
of interfacial materials which includes inorganic metal oxides, composite materials,
oligomeric and polymeric molecules and their use as cathode and anode interlayer
for high efficiency devices. The structure-property relationships of various interfacial
materials will be analyzed as an approach towards high performance OSCs. Finally,
we will discuss the current challenges with possible solutions and perspectives for
performance enhancement in OSCs.
The lists of specific topics included in this monograph are as follows:
• Sustainable Development Goals in context to BRICS Countries
• Installations of Solar Systems in Remote Areas of Himachal Pradesh, India: Challenges and Opportunities
• Utilising Passive Design Strategies for Analysing Thermal Comfort Levels inside
an Office Room using PMV-PPD Models
• Design and Development of a Concentrated Solar Water Heating System
• Multi-objective Performance Optimization of a Ribbed Solar Air Heater
• Mathematical Modelling of Solar Updraft Tower
• Solar Thermal-Powered Adsorption Chiller
• TEWI Assessment of Conventional and Solar Powered Cooling Systems
11
mediator, contributes to its applicability as the preferred CE material. However, the
use of Pt CE adhere major drawbacks such as the high cost and its susceptibility to
undergo corrosion. These limitations have emphasized the importance of exploring
alternative cost effective functional materials with better conductivity and electrocatalytic properties. Subsequently, the limitations of using Pt as the CE materials,
and the advantages and challenges associated with alternative materials have been
elaborated. Conducting polymers with extended conjugate electron systems are a
promising substitute material for Pt in DSCs. A wide range of conducting polymers
and polymer hybrid composites have been investigated for their applicability as CEs
in DSCs. These polymers have gained popularity not just due to cost effectiveness
compared to Pt but also due to their promising conductivity, superior electrocatalytic
properties, easy preparation and fabrication. Different types of conjugated polymers
and polymer hybrid composites, their synthetic methods, fabrication processes and
their respective photovoltaic performances are then reviewed. Finally, the future
prospects of conducting polymers as CE material has been discussed.
Chapter 18: Organic solar cell (OSC) is one of the promising photovoltaic technology for next generation low-cost renewable energy sources. The power conversion
efficiencies (PCE) of OSCs have reached above 14% in single-junction and ~17%
in tandem OSCs. This rapid increase in the performance is mostly profited from the
synergetic advances in rational molecular design, device processing and interfacial
layer modifications. In addition to the development of efficient photoactive materials,
interfacial design plays a crucial role in the improvement of device performance and
stability. Most importantly, the interfacial layer is responsible for establishing good
ohmic contact in the device, thus minimize the resistance, interfacial recombination
and improve charge selectivity. In this chapter, we present the recent development
in the electron and hole transporting interfacial materials design for both singlejunction and tandem OSCs. Special attention will be paid to the design principles
of interfacial materials which includes inorganic metal oxides, composite materials,
oligomeric and polymeric molecules and their use as cathode and anode interlayer
for high efficiency devices. The structure-property relationships of various interfacial
materials will be analyzed as an approach towards high performance OSCs. Finally,
we will discuss the current challenges with possible solutions and perspectives for
performance enhancement in OSCs.
The lists of specific topics included in this monograph are as follows:
• Sustainable Development Goals in context to BRICS Countries
• Installations of Solar Systems in Remote Areas of Himachal Pradesh, India: Challenges and Opportunities
• Utilising Passive Design Strategies for Analysing Thermal Comfort Levels inside
an Office Room using PMV-PPD Models
• Design and Development of a Concentrated Solar Water Heating System
• Multi-objective Performance Optimization of a Ribbed Solar Air Heater
• Mathematical Modelling of Solar Updraft Tower
• Solar Thermal-Powered Adsorption Chiller
• TEWI Assessment of Conventional and Solar Powered Cooling Systems