Polymer–fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells

Abstract

Organic solar cells have the potential to be low-cost and efficient solar\nenergy converters, with a promising energy balance. They are made from\ncarbon-based semiconductors, which exhibit favourable light absorption and\ncharge generation properties, and can be manufactured by low temperature\nprocesses such as printing from solvent-based inks, which are compatible with\nflexible plastic substrates or even paper. In this review, we will present an\noverview of the physical function of organic solar cells, their\nstate-of-the-art performance and limitations, as well as novel concepts to\nachieve a better material stability and higher power conversion efficiencies.\nWe will also briefly review processing and cost in view of the market\npotential.\n