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Recent advances in organic solar cells: materials, design, and performance

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Abstract

Organic solar cells have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional inorganic solar cells due to their low cost, flexibility, and tunable properties. This mini review introduces a novel perspective on recent advancements in organic solar cells, providing an overview of the latest developments in materials, device architecture, and performance optimization. In contrast to existing literature, this review places a strong emphasis on the role of molecular engineering in achieving high power conversion efficiencies. It delves into the latest materials used in organic solar cells, including novel polymers and small molecules, showcasing their unique properties and potential for improved performance. Furthermore, the review explores cutting-edge device architectures, specifically tandem and multi-junction cells, which offer unprecedented opportunities for achieving higher efficiencies. The discussion on these advanced architectures highlights their potential and paves the way for future advancements in the field of organic solar cells. To maximize the performance of organic solar cells, this review also presents recent strategies for performance optimization, focusing on interface engineering, morphological control, and stability enhancement. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these strategies, the review enables readers to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and techniques driving the improvement in device performance. By introducing this novel perspective on recent developments, this mini review offers researchers and practitioners a valuable resource for staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in organic solar cells. It not only presents the current state of the field but also identifies future directions and challenges, fostering further research and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

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  1. Ahmed Alamiery

    Present address: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), P.O. Box 43000, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Energy Department, Training and Research Office, Baghdad, 10001, Iraq

    Ahmed Salih Mahdi & Lina M. Shaker

  2. Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center, University of Technology, Baghdad, 10001, Iraq

    Ahmed Alamiery

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  1. Ahmed Salih Mahdi
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Mahdi, A.S., Shaker, L.M. & Alamiery, A. Recent advances in organic solar cells: materials, design, and performance. J Opt 53, 1403–1419 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12596-023-01262-2

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