Organic Solar Cells (OSCs) are at the forefront of next-generation renewable energy technologies, due to their lightweight, flexibility, transparency, and potential for low-cost production. Recent advances in the development of new molecules have propelled OSCs to record-breaking power conversion efficiencies of up to 20%.

Despite this progress, one of the key challenges holding back the commercial viability of OSCs is their long-term stability. The active layer materials present in the OSCs are prone to degradation under prolonged exposure to light and air, which limits the operational lifetime of these devices.

– On February 28th, I defended my licentiate thesis, with Prof. Andreas Lindblad from Uppsala University as the opponent, says Suraj Prasad, PhD student in physics. It was a great opportunity to reflect on my progress. The discussion was very engaging, and I am excited to implement the ideas raised during it in my ongoing work. I am now looking forward to the next phase of my PhD studies, which will focus on investigating the degradation mechanisms of OSCs. These insights will help us design more stable materials and ultimately contribute to enhancing the durability and commercial potential of organic solar technologies.

This research focuses on uncovering the photodegradation mechanisms affecting OSCs. By exposing thin films of selected molecules to simulated sunlight in air, and analyzing them using advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, this study investigates how molecular structure influences degradation.

Link to the thesis: Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Photodegradation Processes in High-Performance Organic Photovoltaic Materials