Sustainable Energy Conversion via Organic Photovoltaics: Material Selection and Evaluation

Abstract

The lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective features of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) makes them a promising candidate for the development of a sustainable energy conversion technology. In this study, we investigate the process of selecting and evaluating organic materials for use in OPV applications, with a particular emphasis on improving both efficiency and stability. In this study, the most important results are highlighted by means of a complete literature review and data analysis. Bandgaps, HOMO levels, and LUMO levels are all features of the material that play a significant role in determining the performance of the device. Bandgaps may have values ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 eV, while HOMO levels can have values ranging from -5.5 to -4.8 eV. Efficiency enhancement initiatives, such as the invention of new donor- acceptor polymers and non-fullerene acceptors, have resulted to gains in power conversion efficiency (PCE), with values reaching 15%. These benefits have been achieved via the implementation of these tactics. Due to the fact that degradation processes have an effect on the performance of the device over time, stability concerns are very important for practical deployment. In order to improve the device's stability, encapsulation materials and stabilizing chemicals are used to reduce the number of breakdown routes. This paper contributes to the advancement of knowledge in OPV technology by highlighting the significance of material selection, efficiency enhancement, and stability improvement for sustainable energy conversion. Performance evaluation metrics, such as fill factor (FF) and open-circuit voltage (Voc), indicate improved device performance. FF ranges from 60% to 70%, and Voc ranges from 0.5 to 0.8 V. Overall, this paper contributes to the advancement of knowledge. The optimization of materials and device designs should be the primary focus of future research efforts in order to significantly improve the performance of OPVs and speed up its deployment as a viable renewable energy alternative.