Organic p-i-n devices - Sunny developments!

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Abstract:

The project „Organic p-i-n devices“ concentrates on research and development of organic solar cells and light-emitting diodes. This quickly growing new technology is currently at the threshold from basic research to industrial implementation on a large scale. It allows for flexible and light weight devices and has the potential for low cost, large area production as well as a nearly inexhaustible availability of raw materials. However, in order to be able to compete with established technologies, further research on properties, processability and long term stability of materials and devices is essential. This project focuses on the promising p-i-n concept based on so called “small molecules” – i.e. vacuum processed small organic semiconducting molecules synthesized from hydrocarbons. The key to this concept is molecular p- and n-doping of charge carrier transport layers which has led to world record efficiencies for both organic solar cells and light emitting diodes. The project is in the process of building up a technology and development platform for organic devices and to further strengthen the regional position in the field. In the last year it has been involved in several certified records for organic solar cells that have been developed in cooperation with Heliatek GmbH, one of the institute's spin-offs. The research group is funded by the InnoProfile program as part of a BMBF Innovation Initiative for the New German Länder.