A 3D finite element model of degradation phenomena in organic solar devices affected by oxidation
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
A 3D finite element model of degradation phenomena in organic solar devices affected by oxidation Grazia Lo Sciuto1 · Salvatore Coco1 Received: 15 January 2020 / Accepted: 15 April 2020 © Islamic Azad University 2020
Abstract In this paper, we present a novel 3D finite element model for analyzing the influence of chemical degradation on organic solar cells (OSC) exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the visible light range. In our model, the degradation defects due to oxidation are represented by oxygen spherical subdomains located within the bulk. Electromagnetic simulations have been carried out for an increasing number of defects and for wavelengths lying within the visible light range. The simulation results have been compared with experimental data showing excellent agreement. This model allows us to evaluate the decrease in electrical power generated by OSCs in relation with the number of defects due to the degradation mechanism. Keywords Organic solar cells · Chemical degradation · Electromagnetic fields · Finite element method
Introduction The main advantage of organic solar devices is to provide a sustainable and eco-friendly energy at low cost using highly scalable and flexible organic-polymer materials [3]. However, many mechanisms contribute to the reduction in their energy efficiency and lifetime as degradation processes induced by air exposure, humidity, ultra violet (UV) radiation, water and heat [1, 7, 8, 17–20]. Many studies have revealed that the annealing temperature of PEDOT:PSS strongly influences the degradation of the active layer and the oxygen diffusion, while light shielding effects have a negligible effect on the photochemical degradation rate. In addition, poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, has poor photochemical and thermal stability under ambient atmosphere which leads to a reduced lifetime of the solar cells [9, 14, 15]. Kawano et al present a study of dark air-exposure degradation of organic solar cells based on photoactive blends of the conjugated polymer with [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), measuring the charge mobility and hole injection after air exposure, the degradation increases * Grazia Lo Sciuto [email protected] 1
Department of Electrical, Electronics and Informatics Engineering, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
the resistance of the PEDOT:PSS/blend layer interface [9, 13]. A conceptual and computational framework to connect process conditions and interpret the effects of various process variables to the ultimate device performance for organic solar cells is discussed in [3, 12]. It was observed that exposition to solar illumination and ambient atmosphere can contribute significantly to the degradation of organic photovoltaic devices. Organic materials are susceptible to morphology changes from high temperature and chemical degradation due to corrosion, dry oxygen atmosphere, water through the layer and pinholes, humidity and illumination. The degradation mechanisms lead to the limitation of th
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