Polymer organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs), in contrast to conventional silicon-based solar cells, have the potential to be mass produced at much lower costs through simple methods like spin coating and inkjet printing. However, OPVs exhibit lower efficiencies than conventional cells. There have been many approaches to the improvement of these efficiencies, including new polymer synthesis, varied annealing treatments, and additives like POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) that act as structuring agents in the active layer of the device. POSS molecules have a tuanble organic corona, allowing for addition of photoactive groups like perylene bisimides (PBIs). Perylene bisimides have seen much use in organic electronics due to their high charge mobility, broad light absorption, and their environmental stability. Combining the nanostructuring capability of POSS with the charge transport capability of PBIs has the potential to improve the performance of polymer photovoltaics through simultaneous morphology and charge mobility improvements. The research completed was transformed into a lesson plan for students in the polymers and robotics classrooms. Students will be asked to consider U.S. energy demands and present means of energy production, and how we will meet our increasing needs in future. Focusing on solar energy, students will analyze energy output of readily available, traditional, silicon-based cells. After contemplating the need for solar power and the limitations of traditional cells, students will make their own organic solar cells using pigment dyes in blackberries, and will then visit the polymer labs at USM to see how the OPVs were developed and tested. As a culminating activity, students will write our state congressmen to ask that they continue funding research into alternative energies for Mississippi — especially as it pertains to creating better OPV technologies.

Incorporating polymer solar cell research in the high school classroom

255th National Meeting (2018)

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