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The Versatile Roles of Graphene in Organic Photovoltaic Device Technology

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Applied Spectroscopy and the Science of Nanomaterials

Part of the book series: Progress in Optical Science and Photonics ((POSP,volume 2))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the potential applications of graphene in the realization of efficient and stable organic optoelectronic devices, especially flexible solar cells. With the introduction of the prospects of graphene and functionalized graphene in modifying the performance characteristics of organic solar cells, the chapter evolves into assessing the prospects of realizing all carbon photovoltaic devices. The combination of unique, yet tunable, electrical and optical properties of graphene, makes it a highly sought after candidate for various technologically important applications in optoelectronics. Graphene has been identified as a suitable replacement for the highly expensive, brittle and less abundant indium tin oxide, as the transparent electrode material for optoelectronic device applications. The best graphene-based transparent conducting films show very low sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq and high transparency around 90 % in the visible spectrum, making it a better choice compared to the commonly used transparent conductors including indium tin oxide (ITO) and zinc oxide (ZnO). The absence of energy band gap in graphene has originally limited its applications in optoelectronic devices. This problem has since been solved with the advent of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and functionalized graphenes. Functionalized graphenes and GNRs have extended the use of graphene as hole and electron transport layers in organic/polymer light emitting diodes and organic solar cells by the suitable tuning of the band gap energy. Blending dispersions of functionalised graphene with the active layers in photovoltaic devices has been found to enhance light absorption and enable carrier transport efficiently. Graphene layers with absorption in the entire visible region can be fine-tuned to be incorporated into the active layers of organic solar cells. Finally the synthesis conditions of GNRs and the functionalized graphenes can be optimized to achieve the required structural, optical and electrical characteristics for venturing into developing all carbon-based cost-effective organic solar cells with improved efficiency.

The pursuit of truth continues; it is enticing, when each giant leap brings in, new surprises.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology, 682022, Cochin, Kerala, India

    Jayalekshmi Sankaran

  2. Department of Physics, Sanatana Dharma College, 688003, Alapuzha, Kerala, India

    Sreekanth J. Varma

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  1. Jayalekshmi Sankaran
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  2. Sreekanth J. Varma
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Correspondence to Jayalekshmi Sankaran .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics & Astronomy, Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Prabhakar Misra

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Sankaran, J., Varma, S.J. (2015). The Versatile Roles of Graphene in Organic Photovoltaic Device Technology. In: Misra, P. (eds) Applied Spectroscopy and the Science of Nanomaterials. Progress in Optical Science and Photonics, vol 2. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-242-5_10

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