Recent Progress in Photonic Design and Charge Transport Optimization for Organic Solar Cells

Abstract

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are attracting attention as a possible replacement for traditional photovoltaics because they are low-cost, lightweight, and have adjustable optoelectronic features. The commercialization of single-junction OSCs still faces challenges in achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operating stability. Recent developments in photonic crystals, plasmonics, nanophotonics, and metamaterials have significantly addressed these issues, especially in single-junction systems. This paper reviews the latest advancements in charge transport engineering, nanophotonic light-trapping methods, and nanostructured interfaces specifically designed for single-junction OSCs. It also highlights recent record-breaking efficiencies that exceed 20% PCE. We discussed integrating plasmonic nanoparticles, optical microcavities, nanostructured electrodes, and improved photonic materials to increase light absorption, exciton dissociation, and charge collection within the specific limitations of single-junction devices. Furthermore, we stress the important role of computational modeling and recent experimental breakthroughs in enhancing optical and electrical performance. Rather than treating optical and electrical processes independently, this review emphasizes the synergistic role of photonic enhancement strategies in simultaneously improving light trapping and charge transport, highlighting how nanophotonic designs influence carrier generation, recombination, and extraction in single-junction OSCs.

Keywords

Organic solar cells / Photonics / Nanophotonic / Plasmonic / Light-trapping / Optoelectronics / Power conversion efficiency / Metamaterials / Charge transport

Statement of the Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process

During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used Grammarly and GPT in order to correct writing and drafting. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, M.S.H. and S.Y.F.; literature survey and analysis, M.S.H.; writing—original draft preparation, M.S.H.; writing—review and editing, M.S.H. and S.Y.F.; visualization, M.S.H.; supervision, S.Y.F.

Ethics Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data is available upon request.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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