Effects of PBr<sub>3</sub> Addition to Polysilane Thin Films on Structures and Photovoltaic Properties

Abstract

Organic thin film solar cells are potential next generation solar cells. Many p-type semiconductors have been used in organic solar cells, but there have been far fewer reports involving n-type organic semiconductors. Developing new n-type organic semiconductors is therefore desirable. Polysilane thin films were spin-coated from solutions containing phosphorus (P), and the effects of P addition on film microstructures and electronic properties as n-type semiconductors were investigated. Microstructures of poly-methyl-phenylsilane (PMPS), dimethyl-polysilane (DMPS) and deca-phenyl-penta-silane (DPPS) thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. PMPS thin films doped with P (PMPS(P)) were amorphous upon annealing at 300˚C, while DMPS(P) and DPPS(P) thin films exhibited crystalline structures. PMPS(P) and DMPS(P) thin films exhibited decreased electrical resistances upon P doping. The energy gaps of PMPS(P), DMPS(P) and DPPS(P) were 3.5, 3.9 and 3.8 eV, respectively. Decreased photoluminescence intensities of PMPS, DMPS and DPPS were observed upon P doping. The desorption of phenyl and methyl groups from PMPS(P) thin films was observed from Raman scattering measurements. Solar cells containing polysilane(P)/poly[3-hexylthiophene] heterojunction structures were fabricated and exhibited photovoltaic behavior.

Fabrication and Characterization of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells Added with Polysilanes

“…Polysilanes are known as σ-conjugate polymers, and their hole mobility is 10 −4 cm 2 V −1 s −1 [7]. Although the polysilanes could be applied to p-type semiconductors on organic thinfilm solar cells, few studies on polysilane-based solar cells have been reported [8,14,15].…”

Effects of Polysilane Addition to Chlorobenzene and High Temperature Annealing on CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices

“…A common HTL in perovskite solar cells is 2,2 ,7,7 -tetrakis-[N,N-di(p-methoxyphenyl)amine]-9,9 -spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD); however, this HTL is expensive and has poor stability. Alternative low cost and more stable HTLs have been developed [36,37], and other HTL materials, such as polysilanes, have also been utilized with organic photovoltaic devices [41,42].…”

Effects of Decaphenylcyclopentasilane Addition on Photovoltaic Properties of Perovskite Solar Cells

“…If even just a little thick film is formed, the resistance value increases and the conversion efficiency decreases [27]. Other polymer materials, including polysilane derivatives, have been applied to organic solar cells [29][30][31]. The polysilanes were also applied as a hole transport layer for perovskite solar cells [32,33], and the photovoltaic performance was improved for a device using decaphenylcyclopentasilane (DPPS).…”