Organic Electrochemical Device Light Absorption Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic solar cells face challenges with low energy conversion efficiency, vulnerability to temperature and solar light, and limited use due to unsatisfactory optical and electric stability, which restricts their development and application.

Innovation Solution

An organic electrochemical device is designed with a substrate, a first electrode, an intermediate layer, and a second electrode, where at least part of the first organic material layer is in contact with the second electrode and intermediate layer, enhancing power conversion efficiency and using metal electrodes for improved conductivity and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organic solar cells are used to reduce manufacturing complexity and cost, then ease of manufacture is improved, but energy conversion efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidenergy conversion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional layers including a first electrode, intermediate layer, organic material layer, and second electrode. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall device performance and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies key parameters including using metal electrodes instead of traditional transparent conductive oxides, changing the arrangement of functional layers, and adjusting the optical and electrical properties of the organic material layer to achieve both ease of manufacture and improved energy conversion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional transparent electrode materials are used, then optical stability is improved, but conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical stabilityVSAvoidconductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate layer is introduced between the first electrode and the organic material layer to mediate the interface properties. This intermediate layer improves charge extraction and transport while maintaining optical stability, effectively bridging the gap between the metal electrode and organic material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs composite material structures including the combination of metal electrodes with intermediate layers and organic materials. These composite structures integrate the high conductivity of metals with the optical stability and charge transport properties of the intermediate layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If light is directly irradiated on the organic material layer to improve power conversion efficiency, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but light absorption losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidlight absorption losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate layer is designed with specific local optical and electrical properties to enhance light management. It creates favorable local conditions for light absorption in the organic material layer while minimizing energy losses through optimized refractive index and thickness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 device improves power conversion efficiency, flexibility, and light absorption by directly irradiating light on the organic material layer, reducing losses and increasing re-absorption rates, and can be applied to various organic electrochemical devices such as solar cells, photodetection elements, and light emitting elements.

Implementation Method 1

directly irradiating light on the organic material layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

organic electrochemical device... directly converting light energy into electric energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10326091B2Organic electrochemical device, and method for manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to an organic electrochemical device and a fabrication method thereof. The organic electrochemical device according to the present invention comprises: a substrate; a first electrode provided on the substrate; an intermediate layer provided on the first electrode; a second electrode provided on the intermediate layer; and a first organic material layer, in which at least a part of the first organic material layer is in contact with the second electrode and the intermediate layer.