Oligothiophene Fullerene Photoelectric Conversion Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photoelectric conversion elements with polythiophene and fullerene-based materials struggle to achieve significant improvements in photoelectric conversion efficiency and sensitivity due to limitations in their composition and processing methods.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric conversion element is developed using a photoelectric conversion layer composed of oligothiophene and fullerene, with a weight ratio of 500:1 to 5:1, where fullerene acts as an electron-accepting compound and oligothiophene as an electron-donating compound, formed using a deposition method to minimize contaminants and enhance charge mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polythiophene and fullerene-based materials are used in a photoelectric conversion layer, then the photoelectric conversion element can be manufactured with conventional materials, but the photoelectric conversion efficiency cannot achieve significant improvements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by substituting polythiophene with oligothiophene (specifically α-oligothiophene with 3-6 repeating units) and adjusts the weight ratio parameter to 100:1 to 10:1 range. This parameter change enables significant improvement in photoelectric conversion efficiency while maintaining compatibility with conventional fullerene-based materials and manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite photoelectric conversion layer using oligothiophene as the electron-donating compound and fullerene-based materials as electron-accepting compounds. This composite material approach achieves both high photoelectric conversion efficiency and good manufacturability by combining the advantages of oligothiophene's high efficiency with fullerene's processability.
2Device complexity
If conventional photoelectric conversion layers are used, then the device structure remains simple, but sensitivity cannot achieve significant improvements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves significant sensitivity improvement by changing the material parameters to oligothiophene with specific molecular weight and structure (3-6 repeating units), while maintaining the simple device structure. The weight ratio optimization to 100:1 to 10:1 further enhances sensitivity without adding structural complexity.
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 configuration significantly improves photoelectric conversion efficiency, allowing for higher sensitivity and output signal strength with reduced applied voltage, achieving efficiencies of 1000% or higher compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion layer that converts light to charges
Implementation Method 2
fullerene acts as an electron-accepting compound and oligothiophene as an electron-donating compound
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a photoelectric conversion element includes a photoelectric conversion layer that converts light to charges. The photoelectric conversion layer contains oligothiophene and fullerene selected from a group including a fullerene and derivatives thereof. A content ratio of the oligothiophene and the fullerene is 500:1 to 5:1 by weight.