In this project, polymer solar cells are investigated, i.e. solar cells whose active layer consist of polymer semiconductors or at hybrid polymer solar cells of a blend of polymer and inorganic semiconductors, respectively. Polymer solar cells can be fabricated (potentially) cheap and under relatively simple production conditions. Due to their low thickness, there is a whole new range of applications, e.g. smart fabrics.

However, the efficiency of such polymer solar cells is (still) quite modest in comparison with classical silicon solar cells. In a cooperation between Ulm University and the TU Eindhoven (Prof. Janssen), a strong dependency between the efficiency and the geometric structure of the composite materials has been detected.

To analyse the correlation between morphology and performance and to detect improved structures, a stochastic simulation model for the morphology of polymer solar cells is developed.

Applications: Virtual Material Design

• Development and fitting of a stochastic simulation model for the morphology of the photoactive layer of polymer solar cells
• Simulation of physical processes in simulated structures
• Quantification of the dependency between performance and morphology
• Detection of improved morphologies via computer simulations

This research project is embedded in the priority programme 'Elementary Processes of Organic Photovoltaics' (SPP1355) by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).

 

Contact persons: Prof. Schmidt, Daniel Westhoff