Interface Design to Improve the Performance and Stability of Solution-Processed Small-Molecule Conventional Solar Cells

Min J, Luponosov YN, Zhang ZG, Ponomarenko SA, Ameri T, Li Y, Brabec C (2014)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Advanced Energy Materials Wiley

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 1400816

Journal Issue: 16

URI: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aenm.201400816/abstract

DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201400816

Abstract

A systematic study on the effect of various cathode buffer layers on the performance and stability of solution-processed small-molecule organic solar cells (SMOSCs) based on tris[4-[5-(1,1-dicyanobut-1-en-2-yl)-2,2-bithiophen-5-yl]phenyl]amine (N(Ph-2T-DCN-Et)3):6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (N(Ph-2T-DCN-Et)3:PC70BM) is presented. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) in these systems can be significantly improved from approximately 4\% to 5.16\% by inserting a metal oxide (ZnO) layer between the active layer and the Al cathode instead of an air-sensitive Ba or Ca layer. However, the low work-function Al cathode is susceptible to chemical oxidation in the atmosphere. Here, an amine group functionalized fullerene complex (DMAPA-C60) is inserted as a cathode buffer layer to successfully modify the interface towards ZnO/Ag and active layer/Ag functionality. For devices with ZnO/DMAPA-C60/Ag and DMAPA-C60/Ag cathodes the PCEs are improved from 2.75\% to 4.31\% and to 5.40\%, respectively, compared to a ZnO/Ag device. Recombination mechanisms and stability aspects of devices with various cathodes are also investigated. The significant improvement in device performance and stability and the simplicity of fabrication by solution processing suggest this DMAPA-C60-based interface as a promising and practical pathway for developing efficient, stable, and roll-to-roll processable SMOSCs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jie Min Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Tayebeh Ameri Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

Additional Organisation(s)

Exzellenz-Cluster Engineering of Advanced Materials

Involved external institutions

Russian Academy of Sciences / Росси́йская акаде́мия нау́к (RAS) RU Russian Federation (RU) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) / 中国科学院 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Min, J., Luponosov, Y.N., Zhang, Z.-G., Ponomarenko, S.A., Ameri, T., Li, Y., & Brabec, C. (2014). Interface Design to Improve the Performance and Stability of Solution-Processed Small-Molecule Conventional Solar Cells. Advanced Energy Materials, 4(16), 1400816. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.201400816

MLA:

Min, Jie, et al. "Interface Design to Improve the Performance and Stability of Solution-Processed Small-Molecule Conventional Solar Cells." Advanced Energy Materials 4.16 (2014): 1400816.

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