Fiber Photovoltaic Devices with Segmented Semiconductive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymer-based photovoltaic devices face limitations in charge carrier transport, oxidative degradation, and limited spectral absorption, resulting in low conversion efficiencies compared to inorganic devices, with typical efficiencies around 5% due to poor carrier mobility and limited absorption range.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber photovoltaic devices with a continuous semiconductive layer composed of multiple unmixed polymer-based semiconductors arranged in a tandem architecture around a central optical filament, enhancing spectral overlap and minimizing radiation escape, while protecting the semiconductive layer from degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultra-thin semiconductive polymer films are used to improve charge carrier transport, then carrier mobility is enhanced, but light absorption efficiency deteriorates due to transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: an optical filament for light guidance, a semiconductive polymer layer for charge generation, and electrode layers for charge collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the film can be thin for good carrier transport while the optical filament ensures sufficient light absorption through total internal reflection
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filament acts as an intermediary between incident light and the semiconductive polymer layer. It captures and guides light through total internal reflection, increasing the optical path length and absorption efficiency without requiring a thicker polymer film, thus resolving the contradiction between thin film requirements for carrier transport and sufficient thickness for light absorption
2Loss of energy
If the polymer film thickness is increased to improve light absorption, then spectral absorption is enhanced, but charge carrier transport deteriorates due to recombination
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the light absorption function (performed by the optical filament through total internal reflection) from the charge carrier transport function (performed by the thin semiconductive polymer layer). This allows the polymer film to remain thin for efficient carrier transport while the optical filament provides enhanced light absorption through multiple reflections
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filament serves as an intermediary that extends the optical path length within the thin polymer layer. By guiding light through total internal reflection, it enables sufficient absorption in a thin film without requiring increased thickness that would harm carrier transport
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional flat panel architecture is used to broaden absorption range through layering, then spectral coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat panel architecture to a one-dimensional fiber architecture. This dimensional change fundamentally alters how light interacts with the material - light propagates along the fiber length through total internal reflection, enabling broad spectral absorption in a single layer rather than requiring multiple stacked layers, thus reducing complexity while maintaining versatility
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
This approach increases conversion efficiencies beyond the typical 5% by maximizing solar absorption and reducing transparency losses, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional polymer-based photovoltaic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The optical filament is operable to guide electromagnetic radiation to the semiconductive layer
Implementation Method 2
Polymers and their composite derivatives have high commercial potential for use in such photovoltaic devices due to their favorable optical properties. First, certain polymers can convert almost all resonant light into energy through charge carrier generation
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, fiber photovoltaic devices are described in the present disclosure. The fiber photovoltaic devices include an optical filament, a first electrode coating the optical filament, a continuous semiconductive layer deposited above the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer deposited above the continuous semiconductive layer. The first electrode layer is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The continuous semiconductive layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode layer. The continuous semiconductive layer absorbs electromagnetic radiation and turns the electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal. The continuous semiconductive layer includes at least two semiconductive materials that are substantially unmixed and are located in separate regions along the longitudinal axis of the fiber photovoltaic device. The second electrode layer is in electrical contact with the continuous semiconductive layer. In various embodiments, photovoltaic collectors including a plurality of the fiber photovoltaic devices are described. In various embodiments, methods for production of fiber photovoltaic devices by a dip coating technique are described.