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Wavelength-Scale Structures as Extremely High Haze Films for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells.
Juyoung Ham1, Wan Jae Dong1, Gwan Ho Jung1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Division of Advanced Materials Science Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) , Pohang 790-784, Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 23, 2016
Summary
Novel wavelength-scale inverted pyramid structures significantly boost polymer solar cell (PSC) performance. These structures enhance light trapping, increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE) by improving short-circuit current density (Jsc).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optoelectronics
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Polymer solar cells (PSCs) offer a promising avenue for renewable energy due to their flexibility and low-cost fabrication.
- Enhancing light absorption and minimizing reflection are critical for improving PSC power conversion efficiency (PCE).
- Current light management strategies often involve complex or damaging processes for the delicate organic active layers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate wavelength-scale inverted pyramid structures for enhanced light management in PSCs.
- To investigate the optical properties and impact of these structures on PSC performance.
- To provide a simplified and cost-effective method for improving PSC efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of wavelength-scale structured haze films using soft lithography with etched Gallium Nitride (GaN) molds.
- Optical modeling using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) to understand resonance peak shifts.
- Integration of structured haze films onto the back surface of glass substrates for PSC application.
- Performance characterization of PSCs with and without the structured haze films.
Main Results:
- Wavelength-scale inverted pyramid structures demonstrated low reflectance and excellent haze.
- Optical modeling revealed a shift in resonance peaks with increasing pattern diameter.
- The structures generated multiple resonances in the long wavelength spectrum (650-800 nm).
- PSCs incorporating the haze films achieved a higher PCE of 8.41% compared to flat devices (7.12%).
- The improved PCE was attributed to a significant increase in short-circuit current density (Jsc) from 15.6 to 17.5 mA/cm(2).
Conclusions:
- Wavelength-scale structured haze films are effective for enhancing light management in PSCs.
- The soft lithography technique offers a damage-free and scalable method for fabricating these structures.
- The developed structures present a viable strategy for improving PSC performance, simplifying fabrication, and reducing costs.
