Conjugated Polymer Compounds for Organic Solar Cell Charge Mobility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic solar cells face challenges in maximizing charge generation and minimizing charge loss due to recombination, leading to inefficiencies and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A compound represented by specific Formulae 1-11 to 1-15 is introduced, which enhances solubility and crystallinity, allowing for improved charge mobility and efficiency in organic solar cells, reducing the need for additional processing steps and lowering manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If inorganic solar cells are used to achieve high power conversion efficiency, then efficiency reaches approximately 24%, but economic feasibility and material demands and supplies are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoideconomic feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from inorganic semiconductor to organic semiconductor, specifically using conjugated polymer compounds with optimized molecular structures (Formulae 1-11 to 1-13 and 1-15). This parameter change enables the solar cell to maintain competitive efficiency while achieving better processability and lower cost through solution-based fabrication methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structure by combining the conjugated polymer compound with fullerene derivatives or other electron acceptors to form a bulk heterojunction. This composite approach optimizes both charge generation and transport properties, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If additional processes are added to deliver electrons and holes to electrode without loss, then charge loss due to recombination is reduced, but manufacturing costs are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge lossVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conjugated polymer compound designed in the patent performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the active layer material for light absorption, the hole transport medium for charge carrier mobility, and the structural framework for forming optimal morphology. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hole transport layers, reducing manufacturing steps and costs while minimizing charge recombination losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of the active layer and hole transport layer into a single conjugated polymer compound. By combining these functions in one material, the device structure is simplified, fewer processing steps are required, and manufacturing costs are reduced while maintaining efficient charge delivery to the electrode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compound increases open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current, resulting in higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness in organic solar cell production.

Implementation Method 1

An organic solar cell is a device which may directly convert solar energy into electric energy by applying a photovoltaic effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3549942B1Compound and organic solar cell comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3549942B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3549942B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3549942B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present specification provides a compound including a unit represented by Formula 1 and an organic solar cell including the same.