Organic cell based on HTL made of indium chloride layer achieves 18.92% efficiency

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Scientists Develop Organic Solar Cell with Recycled Indium Chloride

August 25, 2023

Author: Emiliano Bellini

Scientists at Zhejiang University in China have successfully fabricated an organic solar cell (OSC) using an indium tin oxide (ITO) hole transport layer (HTL) modified with a recycled interfacial layer made of indium chloride (InCl3). This innovative approach addresses the urgent challenges associated with the depletion of non-sustainable ITO and its unstable charge-extraction interface for solar cells, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

Recycled Material Offers Comparable Performance to Traditional HTLs

The recycled InCl3 material used in the interfacial layer reportedly offers comparable or superior performance to HTLs based on ITO or PEDOT:PSS, a low-cost and easily prepared polymer. The use of InCl3 eliminates the need for PEDOT:PSS as a hole transporting material, making the fabrication process more sustainable. Additionally, the InCl3-ITO electrode can be further recycled, contributing to SDG 12.

Superior Performance of InCl3-ITO HTL

The researchers found that the InCl3-ITO HTL exhibited almost identical transmittance spectra as HTLs made of ITO alone, while also demonstrating superior performance compared to PEDOT:PSS. The solar cell was constructed with a glass and ITO substrate, the InCl3-ITO HTL, a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure, an electron transport layer (ETL) based on a conductive fullerene surfactant called Bis-FIMG, and a silver metal contact.

Impressive Power Conversion Efficiency

The performance of the solar cell was tested under illumination conditions and compared to two reference solar cells using HTLs based on ITO and PEDOT:PSS, respectively. The InCl3-ITO-based cell achieved a power conversion efficiency of 18.92%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.88 V, a short-circuit current of 26.12 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 79.34. This demonstrates the potential of the InCl3-ITO HTL in achieving high efficiency in organic solar cells, contributing to SDG 7.

Long-Term Stability

The researchers also found that the InCl3-ITO-based cell retained around 90% of its initial efficiency after 1,000 hours, while the PEDOT:PSS/ITO-based cell decayed to 78% of its initial efficiency in less than 100 hours. This highlights the long-term stability of the InCl3-ITO HTL and its potential for use in durable and reliable solar cells, supporting SDG 7.

Scaling Up and Top-Level Performance

The scientists successfully scaled up the technology using an aqueous soaking process and built a larger device with an active area of 18.73 cm2, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 15.2%. These results represent top-level performance for binary OSCs and modules so far, contributing to SDG 7.

Conclusion

The development of an organic solar cell with a recycled indium chloride interfacial layer offers a sustainable solution to the challenges associated with non-sustainable materials in solar cell fabrication. The InCl3-ITO HTL demonstrates superior performance and long-term stability, making it a promising candidate for efficient and durable solar cells. This research aligns with the SDGs of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

– Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

– Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.

– Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

– Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added.

– Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: pv-magazine.com

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