Organic photovoltaics research at CSIRO

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have emerged as a potential inexpensive alternative to traditional silicon solar cells. Since the active materials in OPVs can be solution processed, they can be applied at low temperature to flexible substrates, leading to a possible transfer to existing roll-to-roll technology. Present limitations to the technology however, include low power conversion efficiency and poor durability, thus spurring research towards the development of new materials. CSIRO is developing novel OPV materials, such as block co-polymers containing pendant electron and hole transport groups, as well as polymer-functionalized nanoparticles. These new materials have the potential to improve charge separation and transport and extend the spectral absorption range of the device, thus increasing the efficiency to a level sufficient for commercialization.