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Efficiency-improved organic solar cells based on plasticizer assisted soft embossed PEDOT:PSS layers
Robert Meier1, Christopher Birkenstock, Claudia M Palumbiny
1Technische Universität München, Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|October 6, 2012
Summary
This study introduces a new imprinting method for organic solar cells (OSCs) using plasticized PEDOT:PSS layers. This technique enhances power conversion efficiency by improving light absorption and charge extraction in OSC devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Organic solar cells (OSCs) offer a cost-effective photovoltaic solution.
- Thin polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulphonate (PEDOT:PSS) layers are crucial for OSC performance.
- Improving charge extraction and light absorption in OSCs is key to higher efficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel imprinting approach for PEDOT:PSS layers in OSCs.
- To investigate the effect of plasticizer concentration on imprinted structure morphology.
- To evaluate the impact of structured PEDOT:PSS layers on OSC power conversion efficiency and performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized temperature and pressure-assisted imprinting with master molds featuring nano-scale channels.
- Employed plasticizers to tune the morphology of polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrenesulphonate (PEDOT:PSS) films.
- Fabricated bulk heterojunction solar cells using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) active layers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated tunable surface topology of PEDOT:PSS films via plasticizer concentration.
- Achieved improved power conversion efficiencies in structured bulk heterojunction solar cells compared to planar references.
- Observed enhanced optical absorption due to textured aluminum electrodes and improved charge carrier extraction.
- Reported increased relative performance of OSCs with low aspect ratio PEDOT:PSS imprints under oblique light incidence.
Conclusions:
- The novel imprinting approach effectively structures PEDOT:PSS layers for enhanced OSC performance.
- Surface topology engineering of PEDOT:PSS films significantly impacts device efficiency.
- The method offers a promising route for developing high-performance, cost-effective organic solar cells.
