IP Library Granted Patent US 7,612,367
Granted Patent B2
US 7,612,367 · App. 10/536,568 · Granted Nov 3, 2009

Photovoltaic component and production method therefor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,612,367
App. No.
10/536,568
Granted
Nov 3, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an organic component comprising an improved top electrode and to a production method therefor. The top electrode is made of an organic material that is applied by means of printing techniques.

Claims (59)

1. A cell, comprising:

a substrate,

first electrode,

a photovoltaically active layer comprising an organic material, and

a second electrode made of a predominantly organic material,

wherein:

the first electrode is between the substrate and the photovoltaically active layer and has a first work function,

the photovoltaically active layer is between the first and second electrodes,

the second electrode is opaque and has a second work function higher than the first work function, and

the cell is a photovoltaic cell.

2. The cell as described in claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode.

3. The cell of claim 1 , further comprising leakage connectors configured to reduce ohmic losses during use of the cell.

4. The cell as described in claim 3 , wherein the leakage connectors are made of silver conductive paste.

5. The cell of claim 3 , wherein the leakage connectors consist of silver.

6. The cell of claim 5 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

7. The cell of claim 3 , wherein the leakage connectors are devoid of adhesive.

8. The cell of claim 7 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

9. The cell of claim 3 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

10. The cell of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode comprises PEDOT.

11. The cell of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is semitransparent.

12. The cell of claim 11 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode.

13. The cell of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode covers the entire area of the photovoltaically active layer.

14. A method for producing a photovoltaic component, wherein applied to a substrate is a first electrode having a first work function, thereon a semiconductive, photovoltaically active functional layer comprising an organic material, a second electrode comprising a predominantly organic material is applied to the semiconductive, photoactive functional layer to provide the photovoltaic component, wherein

the second electrode is opaque and has a second work function higher than the first work function.

15. The method as described in claim 14 , wherein the second electrode is applied by a printing technique.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the photovoltaic component further comprises leakage connectors configured to reduce ohmic losses during use of the photovoltaic component.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the leakage connectors consist of silver.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the leakage connectors are devoid of adhesive.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second electrode comprises PEDOT.

23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first electrode is semitransparent.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode.

25. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode.

26. A component, comprising:

a substrate;

a first electrode that is semitransparent; a second electrode comprising a predominantly organic material, the organic material comprising PEDOT; and

a photovoltaically active layer between the first and second electrodes, the photovoltaically active layer comprising an organic material

wherein the first electrode is between the substrate and the photovoltaically active layer and has a first work function, the second electrode is opaque and has a second work function higher than the first work function, the component is a photovoltaic component.

27. The component of claim 26 , further comprising leakage connectors configured to reduce ohmic losses during use of the component.

28. The component of claim 27 , wherein the leakage connectors comprise silver conductive paste.

29. The component of claim 27 , wherein the leakage connectors consist of silver.

30. The component of claim 29 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

31. The component of claim 27 , wherein the leakage connectors are devoid of adhesive.

32. The component of claim 31 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

33. The component of claim 27 , wherein the leakage connectors are printed on the second electrode.

34. An article, comprising:

a substrate,

a first electrode,

a photovoltaically active layer comprising an organic material, and

a second electrode made of a predominantly organic material,

wherein:

the first electrode is between the substrate and the photovoltaically active layer and has a first work function,

the photovoltaically active layer is between the first and second electrodes,

the second electrode is opaque and covers the entire area of the photovoltaically active layer, the second electrode having a second work function higher than the first work function, and

the article is a photovoltaic cell.

35. The article of claim 34 , wherein the second electrode is a positive electrode.

36. article of claim 34 , wherein the first electrode is semitransparent.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2023
From: MERCK PATENT GMBH
To: ASCA
Reel/Frame 062985/0513 →
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 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2011
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MASSACHUSETTS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AGENCY
Reel/Frame 027297/0772 →
AMENDMENT TO SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2011
From: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MASSACHUSETTS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AGENCY
Reel/Frame 027468/0697 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2005
From: BRABEC, CHRISTOPH; WALDAUF, CHRISTOPH
To: KONARKA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 016562/0719 →