Optimization of solution-processed oligothiophene:fullerene based organic solar cells by using solvent additives

Area of Science:

• Organic electronics
• Photovoltaics
• Materials science

Background:

• Organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells offer potential for low-cost energy generation.
• Optimizing donor and acceptor materials is crucial for device performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize solution-processed organic solar cells using DCV5T-Bu 4 as the donor material.
• To compare the performance of solution-processed and vacuum-deposited organic solar cells.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of organic solar cells using DCV5T-Bu 4 (donor) and PC61BM (acceptor).
• Utilized 1-chloronaphthalene as a solvent additive during fabrication.
• Employed atomic force microscopy to analyze the photoactive layer morphology.
• Compared solution-processed devices with vacuum-deposited counterparts (DCV5T-Bu 4 :C60).

Main Results:

• Achieved power conversion efficiencies up to 3.0% and external quantum efficiencies up to 40%.
• 1-chloronaphthalene solvent additive improved donor and acceptor distribution.
• Solution-processed devices demonstrated efficiencies comparable to vacuum-processed devices, a notable achievement.

Conclusions:

• Solution processing of organic solar cells using DCV5T-Bu 4 is a viable and efficient fabrication method.
• The performance gap between solution-processed and vacuum-processed organic solar cells is narrowing.
• DCV5T-Bu 4 exhibits favorable properties for both solution and vacuum processing techniques.