Strategies for improving solar energy conversion: Nanostructured materials and processing techniques

Abstract

Organic photovoltaics, the technology to convert sunlight into electricity by employing thin films of organic semiconductors, has received increased interest due to innovations in nanomaterials and processing methods. These technological improvements have the potential to advance a new generation of low-cost, solarpowered products with small form factors. Here, we review the photophysical and chemical concepts of organic photovoltaics and discuss some recent synthesis and fabrication results as well as future challenges.