Photovoltaic cell with mesh electrode

Abstract

Photovoltaic cells that have a mesh electrode, as well as related systems, methods and components, are disclosed.

1 . A photovoltaic cell, comprising:
 a first electrode;   a mesh electrode having open regions;   a semiconductive material disposed in the open regions of the mesh electrode; and   a photoactive layer between the first and mesh electrodes, the photoactive layer comprising:
 an electron acceptor material comprising a fullerene; and 
 an electron donor material comprising a polymer; 
   wherein the mesh electrode is in contact with the photoactive layer.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductive material comprises a metal oxide. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 2 , wherein the metal oxide comprises a tin oxide or zinc oxide. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 3 , wherein the tin oxide comprises a fluorinated tin oxide. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 3 , wherein the tin oxide comprises an indium tin oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 6 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises wires. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 8 , wherein the wires comprise an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 10 , wherein the wires comprise a coating including an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of metals, alloys, polymers and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises an expanded mesh. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh electrode comprises a woven mesh. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the electron acceptor material comprises a substituted fullerene. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polyphenylenes, polyphenylvinylenes, polysilanes, polythienylvinylenes and polyisothianaphthalenes. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(3-hexylthiophene). 
     
     
         18 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a hole blocking layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode or between the photoactive layer and the mesh electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 18 , wherein the hole blocking layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of LiF, metal oxides and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , further comprising a hole carrier layer between the photoactive layer and the first electrode or between the photoactive layer and the mesh electrode. 
     
     
         21 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 20 , wherein the hole carrier layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polythiophenes, polyanilines, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyphenylenes, polyphenylvinylenes, polysilanes, polythienylenevinylenes, polyisothianaphthanenes and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a mesh electrode.