Environmental Passivation and Temperature Cycling of PCBM - Polymer Solar Cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annick Anctil ◽  
Andrew Merrill ◽  
Cory Cress ◽  
Brian Landi ◽  
Ryne Raffaelle
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Temperature Cycling ◽  
Fullerene Derivative ◽  
Positive Temperature ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Device Structure

AbstractIn the present work, polymer solar cells were fabricated from composite blends of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly(3-hexylthiophene)-(P3HT with PCBM[60] and PCBM[70]. The composite blends were used as active layers in an ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/Al device structure. Power conversion efficiencies have been measured from current-voltage (I-V) measurements for each of these different composite blends under simulated AM1.5 illumination. In the case of the MEH-PPV devices, the I-V performance has been measured as a function of polymer molecular weight, type of fullerene derivative (C60 or C70), and PCBM:polymer ratios. The highest efficiencies for the ranges used in this study were obtained using the 150,000 g/mol MEH-PPV molecular weight, the C70 PCBM derivative, and a 1:4 MEH-PPV:PCBM ratio. The effect of thermal cycling on the I-V performance for both MEH-PPV and P3HT devices has also been measured from 77K to 330K. The devices exhibited a positive temperature coefficient for the short-circuit current density (Jsc), which dominated the overall efficiency of the device over this temperature range. Finally, the use of a combination of parylene and polymethylmethacralate for device passivation was shown to provide a dramatic reduction in device degradation under ambient conditions as compared to non-passivated devices.

RELIABILITY STUDIES OF P3HT: PCBM ORGANIC SOLAR CELLS FABRICATED WITH CALCIUM–ALUMINUM AND LITHIUM FLUORIDE–ALUMINIUM CATHODES

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (04n05) ◽  
pp. 803-807
Author(s):  
T. S. KRISHNAN ◽  
S. SUNDAR KUMAR IYER
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Continuous Illumination ◽  
Stress Tests ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Over Time

This work addresses the shelf life characteristics of P3HT: PCBM blend based organic solar cells (OSC) fabricated with Ca–Al and LiF–Al cathodes. Some of these devices are encapsulated in nitrogen ambient and some in room ambient. Device electrical characteristics are studied under both dark and light. In the analysis under dark ambient conditions, the degradation in peak dark current is monitored over time (in days) and an empirical model is postulated for the degradation based on statistical curve fitting techniques. In the analysis under light, degradation of parameters such as fill factor (FF), open circuit voltage (V oc ) and short circuit current density (J sc ) is monitored over time in these devices (for different cathodes and different ambients) and the results are analyzed and compared. Also, accelerated stress tests are conducted wherein the devices are subjected to continuous illumination for a period of 1.5 h under two different intensities (0.76 sun and 1 sun) and again, the results are analyzed and compared. A model is fitted to the observed degradation in normalized J sc and the degradation constants (k deg ) are obtained. It is seen that the devices fabricated with cathode as LiF–Al and being encapsulated in nitrogen ambient provide the best performance over time.

Effect of Crystallinity on the Performance of P3HT/PC70BM/n-Dodecylthiol Polymer Solar Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidal Abu-Zahra ◽  
Mahmoud Algazzar
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Power Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Crystallization Rate ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Avrami Model

In this research, n-dodecylthiol was added to P3HT/PC70BM polymer solar cells (PSCs) to improve the crystallinity of P3HT and enhance the phase separation of P3HT/PC70BM. Crystallinity of P3HT:PC70BM doped with 0–5% by volume of n-dodecylthiol was measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Both methods showed improvement in crystallinity, which resulted in improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar cells by 33%. In addition, annealing at 150 °C for 30 min showed further improvement in crystallinity with n-dodecylthiol concentration up to 2%. The highest power conversion efficiency of 3.21% was achieved with polymer crystallites size L of 11.2 nm, after annealing at 150 °C for 30 min under a vacuum atmosphere. The smaller crystallite size suggests a shorter path of the charge carriers between P3HT backbones, which could be beneficial to getting a higher short circuit current in the devices made with the additive. Kinetics study of P3HT:PC70BM crystallinity using Avrami model showed a faster crystallization rate (1/t0.5) at higher temperatures.

scholarly journals Improvement of short circuit current density by intermolecular interaction between polymer backbones for polymer solar cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Lee ◽  
Min Hee Choi ◽  
Sung Jae Jeon ◽  
Seung Jun Nam ◽  
Yong Won Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Intermolecular Interaction ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density

scholarly journals Fabrication of Hybrid Polymer Solar Cells By Inverted Structure Based on P3HT:PCBM Active Layer

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Shobih Shobih ◽  
Rizky Abdillah ◽  
Erlyta Septa Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Hybrid Polymer

Hybrid polymer solar cell has privilege than its conventional structure, where it usually has structure of (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Active Layer/Al). In humid environment the PEDOT:PSS will absorb water and hence can easily etch the ITO. Therefore it is necessary to use an alternative method to avoid this drawback and obtain more stable polymer solar cells, namely by using hybrid polymer solar cells structure with an inverted device architecture from the conventional, by reversing the nature of charge collection. In this paper we report the results of the fabrication of inverted bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells based on P3HT:PCBM as active layer, utilizing ZnO interlayer as buffer layer between the ITO and active layer with a stacked structure of ITO/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/PEDOT:PSS/Ag. The ZnO interlayer is formed through short route, i.e. by dissolving ZnO nanoparticles powder in chloroform-methanol solvent blend rather than by sol-gel process. Based on the measurement results on electrical characteristics of inverted polymer solar cells under 500 W/m2 illumination and AM 1.5 direct filter at room temperature, cell with annealing process of active layer at 110 °C for 10 minutes results in higher cell performance than without annealing, with an open-circuit voltage of 0.21 volt, a short-circuit current density of 1.33 mA/cm2 , a fill factor of 43.1%, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.22%. The low cell’s performance is caused by very rough surface of ZnO interlayer.

scholarly journals Alkali Metal Cation Incorporated Ag3BiI6 Absorbers for Efficient and Stable Rudorffite Solar Cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Chung Wu ◽  
Ruei-Yu Kuo ◽  
Yin-Hsuan Chang ◽  
Shih-Hsuan Chen ◽  
Ching-Mei Ho​ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Alkali Metal ◽  
Carrier Transport ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Alkali Metal Cation ◽  
Photovoltaic Performance ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Kelvin Probe

Abstract Objectives Toxic lead and poor stability are the main obstacles of perovskite solar cells. Lead-free silver bismuth iodide (SBI) was first attempted as solar cells photovoltaic materials in 2016. However, the short-circuit current of the SBI rudorffite materials is commonly below 10 mA/cm2, limiting the overall photovoltaic performance. Here, we present a chemical composition engineering to enhance the photovoltaic performance. Methods In this study, we incorporated a series of alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+) into Ag3BiI6 absorbers to investigate the effects on the photovoltaic performance of rudorffite solar cells. Results Cs+ doping improved VOC and Na+ doping showed an obvious enhancement in JSC. Therefore, we co-doped Na+ and Cs+ into SBI (Na/Cs-SBI) as the absorber and investigated the crystal structure, surface morphology, and optical properties. The photo-assisted Kelvin probe force microscopy (photo-KPFM) was used to measure surface potential and verified that Na/Cs doping could reduce the electron trapping at the grain boundary and facilitate electron transportation. Conclusion Na/Cs-SBI reduced the electron-holes pairs recombination and promoted the carrier transport of rudorffite solar cells. Finally, the Na/Cs-SBI rudorffite solar cell exhibited a PCE of 2.50%, a 46.0% increase to the SBI device (PCE = 1.71%), and was stable in ambient conditions for over 6 months.

Nanoscale Phase Separation in Ternary Organic Solar Cells Based on PTB7:PC70BM:IC70BA

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 5749-5755
Author(s):  
Chang Li ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Xiaoxiang Sun ◽  
Jifei Wang ◽  
Jiayou Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Hole Transport ◽  
Fullerene Derivative

As a fullerene derivative, IC70BA is widely used in the ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs) to increase the open circuit voltage (Voc) of the devices. Unfortunately, most of the literature shows that IC70BA will lead to a reduction in the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF). In this work, IC70BA is added to the PTB7:PC70BM binary system to form the ternary system, which is composed of one donor and two fullerene acceptors. Surprisingly, the addition of IC70BA does not immediately lead to a decrease in Jsc and FF. In fact, the appropriate weight ratio of IC70BA in fullerenes can simultaneously increase the Voc, Jsc, and FF of the TOSCs. The synergistic optimization of the surface and bulk morphology of the ternary active layer suppresses the attenuation of Jsc and FF. The smooth surface and suitable phase separation size effectively guarantee the separation, transport and extraction of the charge. Moreover, the addition of IC70BA can significantly improve the hole transport capacity of the active layer, and the optimal hole mobility is 5.13 – 10”4 cm2V–1S–1. Finally, the TOSCs with 10% weight ratio of IC70BA gives the optimal PCE of 9.24% and ideality factor of 2.3.

Effect of doping on the short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage of polymer solar cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (15) ◽  
pp. 154506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhao ◽  
Chunjun Liang ◽  
Mengjie Sun ◽  
Qian Liu ◽  
Fujun Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Open Circuit Voltage ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Effect Of Doping

Simultaneous Enhancement of Open-Circuit Voltage, Short-Circuit Current Density, and Fill Factor in Polymer Solar Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (40) ◽  
pp. 4636-4643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhicai He ◽  
Chengmei Zhong ◽  
Xun Huang ◽  
Wai-Yeung Wong ◽  
Hongbin Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Open Circuit Voltage ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit

New Physical and Chemical Treatments to Improve the Quantum Efficiency in Polymer Solar Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Yoshikawa ◽  
Taro Sonobe ◽  
Takashi Sagawa ◽  
Susumu Yoshikawa
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Microwave Treatment ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit

AbstractThe performance of the devices of bulk heterojunction polymer-based solar cells were investigated by using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as light absorption (viz. active) layer, with TiOx as interlayer as follows: ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT-PCBM/TiOx/Al [1] through the treatment of microwave irradiation (single mode of 2.45 GHz, 800 W for 1, 2.5, or 5 min). Such treatments enabled to increase the short-circuit current density Jsc (from 4.53 mA cm−2 to 7.27 mA cm−2) and fill factor FF (from 0.41 to 0.66) of the cell, though the open circuit voltage Voc was decreased (from 0.61 V to 0.57 V) along the irradiation. Absorption spectra of P3HT-PCBM blended film before and after the microwave treatment were observed. Shoulders at 550 nm and 600 nm appeared after the irradiation. This result implies that the microcrystallization of P3HT was slightly promoted through the microwave treatment.

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