Extended interface layer concept for higher stability and improvement of life time in bulk heterojunction solar cells

Abstract

Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells has reached above ∼10%. These BHJ cells have potential for flexible thin films at low processing temperatures using roll to roll printing on flexible substrates. Further, the basic materials properties can be tailored through organic synthetic routes. However, the issues related to its durability should be addressed before its commercialization. Hence, a conventional solar cell of the poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) :(6, 6)-phenyl-C61butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) blend on ITO substrates was fabricated, and investigated, which shows improved life time by using a combinational Ca/Al cathode, wherein the deposition of calcium layer is extended beyond the aluminum layer. The extended deposition of calcium layer beyond aluminum prevents the edge degradation by its oxidation and hence protecting the active pixel area of the device, resulting in the improvement of life time of device from ∼80 hours to ∼ 400 hrs.

Overcoming the Ambient Manufacturability‐Scalability‐Performance Bottleneck in Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics

“…Storage in a 0% RH dry box shifts the equilibrium in favor of oxygen, which diffuses through the top Au electrode and edges. Gas diffusion through metal films is a well‐known phenomenon . Oxygen replaces moisture and attaches to the CQD surface, removing some of the EDT ligands in the process, and results in optimally p‐doped EDT‐PbS CQDs.…”

Oxygen Plasma-Induced p-Type Doping Improves Performance and Stability of PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells

“…In our study, however, we believe that the oxygen plasma treatment shifts this equilibrium in favor of oxygen. The plasma chamber provides an environment with 0% RH, similar to a dry air-box, and oxygen can diffuse through the Au electrode and edges. − Oxygen doping of the HTL can likely lead to the partial removal of EDT ligands and increase unbound thiolates, SO 3 , and SO 4 . To study the effect of plasma treatment on the energy levels of the PbS/EDT layer, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements were performed on a set of PbS/EDT-coated glass samples, as shown in Figure a.…”

Tetra-4-(4’-Меthоxyphenoxy)Phthalocyanine Copper Complex: Synthesis, Mesomorphism, Spectral and Photophysical Properties of Thin Films

“…В свою очередь, для органических материалов существует ряд фундаментальных проблем, затрудняющих их использование в качестве эффективных фотопреобразователей, как, например, сравнительно небольшое значение массовой плотности органических материалов, имеющее своим следствием низкое значение статической диэлектрической проницаемости, что приводит к большой энергии связи экситонного состояния. Тем не менее имеющиеся технологические подходы на основе концепции объемного гетероперехода [31] позволяют эффективно проводить диссоциацию экситонов на гетерофазной границе, что дает возможность получить для донорно-акцепторных систем вполне приемлемые значения коэффициента преобразования (более 10 %) и значительно увеличить время жизни фотодиодов на их основе [32].…”