GROUP

Solar cells are representative of renewable energy. However the installation site of mainstream silicon solar cells is limited by their weight and shape. For this reason, thin, light and bendable organic thin film solar cells are attracting attention.
To date, Kanazawa University has produced remarkable results in this field through contribution to the development of solar cells made by applying organic material to the substrate. Making use of advantages such as these, our group engages in the performance improvement of organic thin film solar cells from various perspectives using various techniques.

Increasing light absorption and the improvement of charge transport efficiency are important factors. Some organic semiconductor molecules deposited onto substrates through vacuum deposition stand perpendicular to the substrate, and some lie down horizontally. The latter absorb sunlight more efficiently and distribute electronic power better. Our group independently developed a deposition apparatus capable of in situ measurements, in pursuit of a molecular orientation control technique.
We are also attempting molecular design and synthesis of organic materials for solar cells that use near infrared light. Materials that absorb light at wavelengths invisible to the human eye are colorless and transparent, thus in the future you can expect new colorless product designs.
The group is also researching hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells, exploring the potential for performance improvement by controlling the bonding surface of multilayer structures in perovskite solar cells, which possess conversion efficiency approaching that of silicon.

One of the barriers preventing the adoption of organic thin film solar cells is their durability. Our group is researching the deterioration mechanism through collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, which will help us achieve practical implementation.