IP Library Granted Patent US 6,933,436
Granted Patent B2
US 6,933,436 · App. 10/258,708 · Granted Aug 23, 2005

Photovoltaic cell

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,933,436
App. No.
10/258,708
Granted
Aug 23, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A photovoltaic cell is described, having a photoactive layer ( 4 ) made of two molecular components, namely an electron donor and an electron acceptor, particularly a conjugated polymer component and a fullerene component, and having two metallic electrodes ( 2, 5 ) provided on both sides of the photoactive layer ( 4 ). In order to provide advantageous construction ratios, it is suggested that an electrically insulating transition layer ( 6 ), having a thickness of at most 5 nm, be provided between at least one electrode ( 5 ) and the photoactive layer ( 4 ).

Claims (48)

1. A photovoltaic cell, comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode;

a photoactive layer between the first and second electrodes, the photoactive layer comprising:

a conjugated polymer component;

a fullerene component;

a first electrically insulating layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode; and

a second electrically insulating layer between the photoactive layer and the second electrode.

2. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the first electrically insulating layer has a thickness of at most five nanometers.

3. The photovoltaic cell of claims 1 , wherein the first electrically insulating layer has a thickness of at most two nanometers.

4. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises an alkali halogenide.

5. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the first electrically insulating layer comprises lithium fluoride.

6. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein, during use of the photovoltaic cell, the first electrode is an electron-collecting electrode.

7. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the second electrically insulating layer has a thickness of at most five nanometers.

8. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the second electrically insulating layer comprises an alkali halogenide.

9. The photovoltaic cell of claim 7 , wherein, during use of the photovoltaic cell, the second electrode is a hole-collecting electrode.

10. The photovoltaic cell of claim 9 , further comprising a smoothing layer between the photoactive layer and the second electrode.

11. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10 , wherein the second electrically insulating layer is between the smoothing layer and the second electrode.

12. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein, during use of the photovoltaic cell, the first electrode is a hole-collecting electrode.

13. The photovoltaic cell of claim 12 , further comprising a smoothing layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode.

14. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , further comprising a smoothing layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode.

15. The photovoltaic cell of claim 14 , wherein the smoothing layer comprises PEDOT.

16. The photoactive cell of claim 1 , wherein the fullerene comprises functionalized fullerene PCBM.

17. A photovoltaic cell, comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode;

a photoactive layer between the first and second electrodes, the photoactive layer comprising:

an electron donor; and

an electron acceptor comprising a fullerene component;

a first layer comprising an alkali halogenide between the photoactive layer and the first electrode; and

a second layer comprising the alkali halogenide between the photoactive layer and the second electrode.

18. The photovoltaic cell of claim 17 , wherein the alkali halogenide comprises lithium fluoride.

19. The photovoltaic cell of claim 17 , wherein the first layer has a thickness of at most five nanometers.

20. The photovoltaic cell of claim 17 , wherein the first layer has a thickness of at most two nanometers.

21. The photovoltaic cell of claim 17 , wherein the electron donor comprises a conjugated polymer.

22. The photovoltaic cell of claim 21 , wherein the electron acceptor comprises a fullerene component.

23. A photovoltaic cell, comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode;

a photoactive layer between the first and second electrodes, the photoactive layer comprising:

an electron donor comprising a conjugated polymer; and

an electron acceptor;

a first layer comprising an alkali halogenide between the photoactive layer and the first electrode; and

a second layer comprising the alkali halogenide between the photoactive layer and the second electrode.

24. The photovoltaic cell of claim 23 , wherein the alkali halogenide comprises lithium fluoride.

25. The photovoltaic cell of claim 23 , wherein the first layer has a thickness of at most five nanometers.

26. The photovoltaic cell of claim 23 , wherein the first layer has a thickness of at most two nanometers.

27. The photovoltaic cell of claim 23 , wherein the electron acceptor comprises a fullerene component.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2013
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MERCK KGAA
Reel/Frame 029717/0048 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2013
From: MERCK KGAA
To: MERCK PATENT GMBH
Reel/Frame 029717/0065 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 26, 2011
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: TOTAL GAS & POWER USA (SAS)
Reel/Frame 027465/0192 →
AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2011
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MASSACHUSETTS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AGENCY
Reel/Frame 027468/0697 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2011
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MASSACHUSETTS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AGENCY
Reel/Frame 027297/0772 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 2, 2007
From: QSEL-QUANTUM SOLAR ENERGY LINZ FORSCHUNGS-UND
To: KONARKA AUSTRIA FORSCHUNGS-UND ENTWICKLUNGS GMBH
Reel/Frame 019679/0452 →
CORRECTION OF ASSIGNEE NAMES, PTO ERROR Recorded Nov 26, 2003
From: SHANEEN, SEAN; BRABEC, CHRISTOPHER; FROMHERZ, FRANZ; PADINGER, THOMAS; SARICIFTCI, SEDAR; GLOETZL, ERHARD
To: QSEL-QUANTUM SOLAR ENERGY LINZ FORSCHUNGS-UND
Reel/Frame 014730/0848 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2003
From: SHAHEEN, SEAN; BRABEC, CHRISTOPH; FROMHERZ, THOMAS; PADINGER, FRANZ; SARICIFTCI, SEDAR; GLOETZL, ERHARD
To: QSEL-QUANTUM SOLAR ENERGY LINZ FORSCHUNGS - UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
Reel/Frame 014116/0268 →