Heraeus, a partner of BELECTRIC OPV in development of organic photovoltaics, plays a key role in BELECTRIC’s innovative technology through the supply of vital components. Clevios™ conductive polymer materials based on PEDOT:PSS provide the hole-transport layer, and low temperature SOL silver pastes serve as the electrode in the devices. Both materials are processed by roll-to-roll coating and printing so providing high throughput at low cost. The mutually beneficial cooperation between BELECTRIC OPV and Heraeus on new materials and processes to improve the viability of OPV even further demonstrates the positive impact along the supply chain. Using state-of-the-art materials in combination with innovative wet-coating based manufacturing processes, BELECTRIC OPV is able to supply the market with customized, aesthetically pleasing OPV solutions.
Heraeus, a leading supplier of metallization pastes used in crystalline silicon PV solar cells, is expanding its product range to include next generation PV technologies with low temperature silver pastes along with OPV grades of Clevios™ PEDOT based conductive polymers. Clevios™ is already extensively used in antistatic, touch sensor and emerging OLED applications. Heraeus has ton-scale production capacity for these materials.
”Open innovation approaches, like the joint-development effort together with Heraeus for example, is part of our R&D strategy”, reveals Andreas Distler (Head of R&D, BELECTRIC OPV). “In order to bring OPV technology to its best, it is important that a holistic development approach is applied throughout the whole device architecture and the manufacturing process.” This also adds to the great potential for scalability of printed OPV manufacturing. Armin Sautter, (Manager at Heraeus New Businesses) stated: “Heraeus has over 45 years’ experience in the development thick film metallization pastes and conductive polymers. Partnerships with new technology leaders, such as BELECTRIC, who provide unlimited shapes, colours and even flexibility, is an entirely new dimension for PV technology. BELECTRIC OPV’s vision for photovoltaics is consistent with ours - using technology and innovation to achieve sustainable green energy.”