Organic-Based Batteries and Solar Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Energy conversion and storage technologies are two major aspects in establishing renewable energy sources. Thus, the development of high-performance photovoltaic devices, as well as high-efficiency and high-power rechargeable battery systems, is of foremost importance. The active material represents a key element in the development process.

The most popular and efficient solar cells rely on inorganic semiconductor, i.e., crystalline silicon (first-generation solar cells), as well as amorphous silicon, CdSe, CdTe, and CuInSe₂ (second-generation or thin film solar cells).  However, during the last decade, semiconducting materials based on π-conjugated organic small molecules and polymers have been extensively investigated. One of the key advantages of organic semiconductors is the tunability of their physical and chemical properties by structural modification. Additionally, their use in place of conventional inorganic semiconductors offers the prospects of low manufacturing costs, large area coverage, and compatibility with flexible substrates.

As for the solar cells, organic- based approach started to complement the dominant materials used for energy-storage systems, namely lithium, nickel, lead, zinc. Indeed, organics hold the promise of superior specific capacity and favorable environmental compatibility, while enabling electrochemical properties modulation and control through synthetic modifications. Although much progress has been made in the fields, major challenges still need to be overcome to make this approach commercially viable.

This Special Issue of Batteries focuses on the advances in organic materials and their structure-property relationships in the context of solar cells/batteries, but also on the architectures and processing techniques of such devices, these being all factors which are closely interrelated for an improved performance. Materials include small molecules, polymers, organic-inorganic hybrids, interfacial and electrode materials, semiconductors and conductors. Fundamental and applied studies, including manufacturing techniques, stability of materials and devices, are of interest for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Assunta Marrocchi
Prof. Dr. Maria Laura Santarelli
Guest Editors

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