Emerging Photovoltaics: Bounds and Challenges

Shockley-Queisser (S-Q) model gives the upper limit for light to electrical power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a single junction photovoltaic cell. The efficiency of a real-world single junction solar cell will always be below the S-Q limit as real material properties come into the play. In this seminar, I will present a common formalism that considers factors beyond the S-Q model and enables us to analyze the performance of all kinds of solid-state single junction solar cell. This is relevant in the present époque since it gives a chance to compare the disparate and technology-focussed strands of PV research. I will discuss the material and cell properties that are needed for a high-performing solar cell. There have been remarkable developments, most notably in organic-photovoltaics and perovskite photovoltaics. I will explain what has been done in the past half-decade to improve the cell performances and what to look forward. 

I will present a novel way of electronic doping of organic semiconductors which is essential for realizing high-performance organic-based and perovskite-based optoelectronic devices, particularly the solar cells. I will discuss the mechanism of the doping process and its application in devices. This dart cheap method makes the existing expensive commercial p-type dopants obsolete and opens up new avenues of electronic doping.