Master Thesis "Evaporation-induced spinodal decomposition in solution-processed organic solar cells"

Organic solar cells belong to the emerging photovoltaic technologies that can contribute to the energy transition in the near future. Compared to silicon devices, these solution-processed solar cells are low cost and eco-friendly, and can be made flexibile or semi-transparent. The fabrication process is known to play a crucial role in their performance. In particular, a complex demixed phase nanomorphology arise upon drying of the deposited solution. However, the process-structure relationship is still poorly understood. The objective of this master thesis is to study the impact of the processing conditions on the morphology of the dry film with the help of Phase-Field simulations.

Your tasks

1. Simulate the drying process for ternary blends made of two immiscible semi-conducting materials and one solvent, depending on the process parameters (evaporation rate, temperature, solvent properties)
2. Characterize qualitatively and quantitatively the final morphologies and establish physical relationships between process parameters and morphology
3. Propose process design rules for obtaining the optimal film morphology
4. Extend the approach to solvent blends
5. Report your results in a written report and oral presentations

Your profile

• Required: Bachelor in Physics, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Desired: background in theoretical thermodynamics
• Desired: motivation for interdisciplinary problems and simulation/modelling

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Olivier Ronsin

Building HIERN-Auf-AEG /
Room 02.04

+49 911/32169-103

E-Mail

Prof. Dr. Jens Harting

Head of Research Department

Building HIERN-Cauerstr /
Room 5011

+49 9131-12538211

E-Mail