Preface
Scientists have a responsibility to address the world’s energy problem as energy
security in terms of energy resources from fossil fuels has become one of the main
reasons for conflicts between nations. Organic solar cells present themselves as a
potential candidate to solve the problem of energy access they have been intensively
researched for more than half a century. The efficiency of organic solar cells has
steadily been increasing by almost 1% per year since 2000 for 20 years and has
not yet reached saturation. In 2020, the reported best efficiency and short-circuit
photocurrent density reached 17.4% and 25 mA cm
−2 , respectively.
I have been researching organic solar cells for 30 years since 1988, whereas up
until 2000, few scientists around the world studied organic solar cells. The progress
of organic solar cells has been far beyond my expectations. Although the science
of organic semiconductors is approximately half a century behind compared to that
of inorganic semiconductors, the research on organic solar cells has gradually been
catching up to the research on inorganic ones. The current physics on organic solar
cells is similar to the physics on inorganic solar cells around 1980 when I was
still a student. As such, I am convinced that scientists, especially chemists, will
be persistent with their attempts to develop and improve man-made solar energy
conversion systems using organic compounds.
Recent driving forces for increases in efficiency have relied on the numerous
repeats of the circulation around the syntheses of new organic semiconductors, blends
and performance checks. However, a neglect of the basic physics, that underpins these
complicated systems, has not permitted the future long-term development of organic
solar cells.
I believe that original ideas are the most important in scientific research. As
such, whilst writing this book, I was mindful of offering readers an insight into how
essential ideas in organic solar cells have been created to date in efforts to provide a
foundation for future progress in this field for readers such as students and amateur
and experienced scientists.
The main topics this book covers include the fundamental principle of organic
solar cells, invention of blended junction, lateral junction, final solution of blended
v
Scientists have a responsibility to address the world’s energy problem as energy
security in terms of energy resources from fossil fuels has become one of the main
reasons for conflicts between nations. Organic solar cells present themselves as a
potential candidate to solve the problem of energy access they have been intensively
researched for more than half a century. The efficiency of organic solar cells has
steadily been increasing by almost 1% per year since 2000 for 20 years and has
not yet reached saturation. In 2020, the reported best efficiency and short-circuit
photocurrent density reached 17.4% and 25 mA cm
−2 , respectively.
I have been researching organic solar cells for 30 years since 1988, whereas up
until 2000, few scientists around the world studied organic solar cells. The progress
of organic solar cells has been far beyond my expectations. Although the science
of organic semiconductors is approximately half a century behind compared to that
of inorganic semiconductors, the research on organic solar cells has gradually been
catching up to the research on inorganic ones. The current physics on organic solar
cells is similar to the physics on inorganic solar cells around 1980 when I was
still a student. As such, I am convinced that scientists, especially chemists, will
be persistent with their attempts to develop and improve man-made solar energy
conversion systems using organic compounds.
Recent driving forces for increases in efficiency have relied on the numerous
repeats of the circulation around the syntheses of new organic semiconductors, blends
and performance checks. However, a neglect of the basic physics, that underpins these
complicated systems, has not permitted the future long-term development of organic
solar cells.
I believe that original ideas are the most important in scientific research. As
such, whilst writing this book, I was mindful of offering readers an insight into how
essential ideas in organic solar cells have been created to date in efforts to provide a
foundation for future progress in this field for readers such as students and amateur
and experienced scientists.
The main topics this book covers include the fundamental principle of organic
solar cells, invention of blended junction, lateral junction, final solution of blended
v