PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL WITH MESH ELECTRODE
Photovoltaic cells that have a mesh electrode, as well as related systems, methods and components, are disclosed.
1 . A photovoltaic cell, comprising:
a first electrode;
a mesh electrode having open regions;
a semiconductive material disposed in the open regions of the mesh electrode; and
a photoactive layer between the first and mesh electrodes, the photoactive layer comprising:
an electron acceptor material comprising a fullerene; and
an electron donor material comprising a polymer;
wherein the mesh electrode is in contact with the photoactive layer.
2 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductive material comprises a metal oxide.
3 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 2 , wherein the metal oxide comprises a tin oxide or zinc oxide.
4 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 3 , wherein the tin oxide comprises a fluorinated tin oxide.
5 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 3 , wherein the tin oxide comprises an indium tin oxide.
6 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises an electrically conductive material.
7 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 6 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof.
8 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises wires.
9 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 8 , wherein the wires comprise an electrically conductive material.
10 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof.
11 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 10 , wherein the wires comprise a coating including an electrically conductive material.
12 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof.
13 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises an expanded mesh.
14 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises a woven mesh.
15 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the electron acceptor material comprises a substituted fullerene.
16 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polyphenylenes, polyphenylvinylenes, polysilanes, polythienylvinylenes and polyisothianaphthalenes.
17 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(3-hexylthiophene).
18 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , further comprising a hole blocking layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode or between the photoactive layer and the mesh electrode.
19 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 18 , wherein the hole blocking layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of LiF, metal oxides and combinations thereof.
20 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , further comprising a hole carrier layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode or between the photoactive layer and the mesh electrode.
21 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 20 , wherein the hole carrier layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polyanilines, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyphenylenes, polyphenylvinylenes, polysilanes, polythienylenevinylenes, polyisothianaphthanenes and combinations thereof.
22 . The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a mesh electrode.