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Dramatic improvement in the stability and mechanism of high-performance inverted polymer solar cells featuring a
Yun-Ming Sung1,2, Cheng-Hsun-Tony Chang3, Cheng-Si Tsao1
1Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Longtan, Taoyuan 32546, Taiwan. cstsao@iner.gov.tw.
Nanoscale
|February 1, 2023
Summary
New solution-processed molybdenum oxide (s-MoO3) hole transport layers significantly enhance the stability of polymer solar cells (PSCs). These PSCs maintain their power conversion efficiency for over 2200 hours, offering a promising alternative to conventional materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Polymer solar cells (PSCs) are a promising renewable energy technology, but their long-term stability remains a challenge.
- The hole transport layer (HTL) plays a critical role in PSC performance and degradation.
- Conventional thermally deposited molybdenum oxide (t-MoO3) HTLs often suffer from degradation issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the enhanced stability of inverted PTB7:PC71BM polymer solar cells (PSCs) using a solution-processed s-MoO3 HTL.
- To investigate the mechanisms behind the improved thermal stability and degradation prevention.
- To explore the potential of s-MoO3 HTLs as replacements for t-MoO3 HTLs in PSCs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of inverted PSCs with solution-processed s-MoO3 HTLs.
- Thermal aging tests at 85 °C for extended periods (up to 2200 hours).
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze HTL interfaces and degradation mechanisms.
- Damp-heat and light soaking tests to evaluate stability under various conditions.
Main Results:
- PSCs with s-MoO3 HTLs retained initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) for at least 2200 hours at 85 °C.
- The T80 lifetimes were up to ten times greater than those of PSCs with conventional PTB7 or low-band-gap polymer:PCBM HTLs.
- XPS analysis revealed distinct interfacial mechanisms between s-MoO3 and t-MoO3 HTLs, explaining the improved thermal stability.
- s-MoO3 HTLs effectively inhibited burn-in losses and long-term degradation.
Conclusions:
- Solution-processed s-MoO3 HTLs significantly enhance the operational stability of polymer solar cells.
- The novel prevention mechanism observed with s-MoO3 offers a new strategy for designing robust buffer layers in PSCs.
- s-MoO3 HTLs demonstrate great potential as stable and effective replacements for traditional t-MoO3 HTLs.
