UK-based start-up company Ossila Limited has brought low-cost renewable-energy a step closer by bringing to market a new material specially designed for use in plastic solar cells. PCDTBT (Poly[[9-(1-octylnonyl)-9H-carbazole-2,7-diyl]-2,5-thiophenediyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7-diyl-2,5-thiophenediyl]) will help improve the efficiency, lifetime and manufacturability of plastic solar cells.

PCDTBT is a highly specialised type of plastic which is both semiconducting and an efficient absorber of light. The key properties of PCDTBT result from the lower HOMO and LUMO levels which lead to the advantages over standard organic photovoltaic materials such as P3HT. It is stable under ambient conditions.
PCDTBT also has higher manufacturability due to its ability to be dried quickly – an important consideration for fast moving production lines.

Image (C): Ossila Limited

• Ossila Limited, Sheffield, UK