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.

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 SCAPS Simulation on P3HT:Graphene Nanocomposites Based Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Nur Shakina Mohd Shariff ◽  
Puteri Sarah Mohamad Saad ◽  
Mohamad Rusop Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Capacitance Voltage

There has been an increasing interest towards organic solar cells after the discovery of conjugated polymer and bulk-heterojunction concept. Eventhough organic solar cells are less expensive than inorganic solar cells but the power conversion energy is still considered low. The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of the P3HT’s thickness and concentration towards the efficiency of the P3HT:Graphene solar cells. A simulation software that is specialize for photovoltaic called SCAPS is used in this research to simulate the effect on the solar cells. The solar cell’s structure will be drawn inside the simulation and the parameters for each layers is inserted. The result such as the open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), efficiency (η), capacitance-voltage (C-V) and capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristic will be calculated by the software and all the results will be put into one graph.

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

An efficient method to achieve a balanced open circuit voltage and short circuit current density in polymer solar cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (21) ◽  
pp. 8291-8297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongfeng Dang ◽  
Pei Zhou ◽  
Linrui Duan ◽  
Xichang Bao ◽  
Renqiang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Efficient Method ◽  
Open Circuit Voltage ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit

Good light harvesting properties and matched energy levels as well as enhanced Jsc value and high Voc value in solar cells were achieved simultaneously by construction of the D–A–π–A type regular terpolymers of PIDT-DTQ-TT, finally leading to the maximum PCE value of 6.63% in PSCs.

Degradation of Polymer Solar Cells Based on P3HT:PCBM System

2014 ◽  
Vol 924 ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang Zhong Yu
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Solar Cell Performance ◽  
Deep Traps

The degradation of the performance of the polymer solar cell based on the blend structures system of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is investigated. This study uses UV-vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, charge-transport dark J-V curve chart to explicate the reason for the degradation of the performance of P3HT:PCBM photovoltaic cells. Solar cell performance is degraded primarily through loss in short-circuit current density (Jsc) and fill factor (FF), the reduction in the Jsc and FF of the device is most likely to be due to the formation of the charge transfer complex, deep traps and destruction of the-conjugated system in the degraded P3HT:PCBM device. The exposure to oxygen and photo-oxidation lead to the emergence of these factors of the device performance degradation. Keywords: Degradation; Performance; Solar cells; P3HT: PCBM

scholarly journals Solution-Processed Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells with Silyl End-Capped Sexithiophene

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hei Choi ◽  
Mohamed E. El-Khouly ◽  
Taehee Kim ◽  
Youn-Su Kim ◽  
Ung Chan Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Hole Mobility ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Solution Processed ◽  
Heterojunction Solar Cells

We fabricated solution-processed organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) using substituted two sexithiophenes, a,w-bis(dimethyl-n-octylsilyl)sexithiophene (DSi-6T) and a,w-dihexylsexithiophene (DH-6T), as electron donors, and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as an electron acceptor. Solution-processed OPVs usingDH-6TandDSi-6Tshowed good photovoltaic properties in spite of their poor solubility. The best performance was observed onDSi-6T : PCBM 1 : 5 (w/w) blend cell with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.63 V, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 1.34 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 55%, and power conversion efficiency of 0.44% under AM 1.5 G illumination. AlthoughDH-6Thas higher hole mobility thanDSi-6T, theDSi-6T : PCBM blend cell showed higher hole mobility thanDH-6T : PCBM cell. Therefore,DSi-6Tcell showed higher device performance thanDH-6Tcell due to its silyl substitutions, which lead to the increase of the solubility. The incorporation of solution-processed TiO2interfacial layer in theDSi-6T : PCBM devices significantly enhances FF due to the reduced charge recombination near active layer/Al interface.

scholarly journals Fabrication and Characterization of Copper System Compound Semiconductor Solar Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Motoyoshi ◽  
Takeo Oku ◽  
Atsushi Suzuki ◽  
Kenji Kikuchi ◽  
Shiomi Kikuchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Cupric Oxide ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Compound Semiconductor ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Cell Performance

Copper system compound semiconductor solar cells were produced by a spin-coating method, and their cell performance and structures were investigated. Copper indium disulfide- (CIS-) based solar cells with titanium dioxide (TiO2) were produced on F-dopedSnO2(FTO). A device based on an FTO/CIS/TiO2structure provided better cell performance compared to that based on FTO/TiO2/CIS structure. Cupric oxide- (CuO-) and cuprous oxide- (Cu2O-) based solar cells with fullerene (C60) were also fabricated on FTO and indium tin oxide (ITO). The microstructure and cell performance of the CuO/C60heterojunction and theCu2O:C60bulk heterojunction structure were investigated. The photovoltaic devices based on FTO/CuO/C60and ITO/Cu2O:C60structures provided short-circuit current density of 0.015 mAcm−2and 0.11 mAcm−2, and open-circuit voltage of 0.045 V and 0.17 V under an Air Mass 1.5 illumination, respectively. The microstructures of the active layers were examined by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.

scholarly journals CdTe-Based Thin Film Solar Cells: Past, Present and Future

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1684
Author(s):  
Alessandro Romeo ◽  
Elisa Artegiani
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Solar Cell ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Solar Cell Efficiency ◽  
Cell Efficiency

CdTe is a very robust and chemically stable material and for this reason its related solar cell thin film photovoltaic technology is now the only thin film technology in the first 10 top producers in the world. CdTe has an optimum band gap for the Schockley-Queisser limit and could deliver very high efficiencies as single junction device of more than 32%, with an open circuit voltage of 1 V and a short circuit current density exceeding 30 mA/cm2. CdTe solar cells were introduced at the beginning of the 70s and they have been studied and implemented particularly in the last 30 years. The strong improvement in efficiency in the last 5 years was obtained by a new redesign of the CdTe solar cell device reaching a single solar cell efficiency of 22.1% and a module efficiency of 19%. In this paper we describe the fabrication process following the history of the solar cell as it was developed in the early years up to the latest development and changes. Moreover the paper also presents future possible alternative absorbers and discusses the only apparently controversial environmental impacts of this fantastic technology.

scholarly journals Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells with Ag/AlOx Passivating Back Reflector

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4268
Author(s):  
Jessica de Wild ◽  
Gizem Birant ◽  
Guy Brammertz ◽  
Marc Meuris ◽  
Jef Poortmans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Current Increase ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Cigs Solar Cells

Ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber layers of 550 nm were grown on Ag/AlOx stacks. The addition of the stack resulted in solar cells with improved fill factor, open circuit voltage and short circuit current density. The efficiency was increased from 7% to almost 12%. Photoluminescence (PL) and time resolved PL were improved, which was attributed to the passivating properties of AlOx. A current increase of almost 2 mA/cm2 was measured, due to increased light scattering and surface roughness. With time of flight—secondary ion mass spectroscopy, the elemental profiles were measured. It was found that the Ag is incorporated through the whole CIGS layer. Secondary electron microscopic images of the Mo back revealed residuals of the Ag/AlOx stack, which was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements. It is assumed to induce the increased surface roughness and scattering properties. At the front, large stains are visible for the cells with the Ag/AlOx back contact. An ammonia sulfide etching step was therefore applied on the bare absorber improving the efficiency further to 11.7%. It shows the potential of utilizing an Ag/AlOx stack at the back to improve both electrical and optical properties of ultrathin CIGS solar cells.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Doping Ratio of Cu Doped CdS on QDSCs Performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Zhu ◽  
Xiaoping Zou ◽  
Hongquan Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photoelectric Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Photoelectric Conversion ◽  
Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Doping Ratio

We use the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method for the preparation of quantum dot sensitized solar cells, to improve the performance of solar cells by doping quantum dots. We tested the UV-Vis absorption spectrum of undoped CdS QDSCs and Cu doped CdS QDSCs with different doping ratios. The doping ratios of copper were 1 : 100, 1 : 500, and 1 : 1000, respectively. The experimental results show that, under the same SILAR cycle number, Cu doped CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells have higher open circuit voltage, short circuit current density photoelectric conversion efficiency than undoped CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cells. Refinement of Cu doping ratio are 1 : 10, 1 : 100, 1 : 200, 1 : 500, and 1 : 1000. When the proportion of Cu and CdS is 1 : 10, all the parameters of the QDSCs reach the minimum value, and, with the decrease of the proportion, the short circuit current density, open circuit voltage, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency are all increased. When proportion is 1 : 500, all parameters reach the maximum values. While with further reduction of the doping ratio of Cu, the parameters of QDSCs have a decline tendency. The results showed that, in a certain range, the lower the doping ratio of Cu, the better the performance of quantum dot sensitized solar cell.

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