Failure Mechanisms in Layers Relevant to Stretchable Organic Solar Cells

In this paper, we present the results of a combined theoretical, computational and experimental study of failure mechanisms in model multilayers that are relevant to stretchable organic solar cells. The deformation of these structures is elucidated under monotonic loading that simulates possible stretching phenomena. The stress distributions within the layers and the possible interfacial crack driving forces are computed for model layered structures with well controlled thicknesses and elastic properties. The implications of the results are discussed for the improved design of stretchable organic solar cells with reliable optical properties.

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Effects of Adhesion and Stretching on Failure Mechanisms and Optical Properties of Organic Solar Cells

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1132.89 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1132 ◽

pp. 89-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

O.K. Oyewole ◽

J. Asare ◽

D.O. Oyewole ◽

B. Agyei-Tuffour ◽

V.C. Anye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Properties ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Organic Solar Cells ◽

Computational Models ◽

Failure Mechanisms ◽

Layered Structures ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Force Microscopy ◽

Modeling And Experiments

This paper presents the results of a study of the adhesion and optical properties of layered structures that are relevant to stretchable organic solar cells. A combination of modeling and experiments is used to investigate the effects of adhesion and stretching on failure mechanisms and optical properties. The adhesion between the possible bi-layers is determined by incorporating force microscopy measurements of pull-off forces into adhesion models. The failure mechanisms associated with the tensile stretching of the structures are then investigated using a combination ofin-situ/ex-situmicroscopy observations and analytical/computational models. The resulting changes in optical properties are elucidated before discussing their implications for the design of stretchable organic solar cells

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Effects of Deformation on Failure Mechanisms and Optical Properties of Flexible Organic Solar Cell Structures

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1132.125 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1132 ◽

pp. 125-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Asare ◽

B. Agyei-Tuffour ◽

O.K. Oyewole ◽

V.C. Anye ◽

D.Y. Momodu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Properties ◽

Solar Cells ◽

Organic Solar Cells ◽

Driving Forces ◽

Acid Methyl Ester ◽

Deformation And Failure ◽

Cell Structures ◽

Cracking Mechanisms ◽

The Individual ◽

Flexible Organic Solar Cells

This paper examines the effects of cyclic bending on the deformation and failure of layers that are relevant to flexible organic solar cells (with Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) substrates and Poly-3-hexylthiophene: [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) active layers). The deformation and cracking mechanisms are elucidated along with the stresses and crack driving forces associated with the bending of flexible organic solar cells. The changes in the optical properties (transmittance) of the individual layers and multilayers are then explored for layers/multilayers deformed to flexural strains and stresses that are computed using finite element models. The implications of the results are then discussed for the design of flexible organic solar cells.

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