Optimizing Transport Carrier Free All-Polymer Solar Cells for Indoor Applications: TCAD Simulation under White LED...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Renewable Energy
• Device Physics

Background:

• All-polymer solar cells (APSCs) are being explored for indoor energy harvesting.
• Optimizing APSC performance under ambient light conditions is crucial for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficiency of APSCs under white LED illumination using simulation.
• To identify optimal materials and structures for enhancing APSC performance in indoor environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized SCAPS TCAD device simulator to model APSC performance under LED light (1000 lux, 0.305 mW/cm²).
• Validated simulation against experimental data from a fabricated cell (CD1:PBN-21 absorber, PEDOT:PSS HTL).
• Evaluated various hole transportation layer (HTL) and electron transportation layer (ETL) materials for conventional and inverted cell structures.

Main Results:

• Achieved simulation accuracy validated against a 16.75% efficient fabricated cell.
• Identified NiO as a promising HTL for conventional structures, potentially exceeding 27% efficiency.
• Determined ZnS as an optimal ETL for inverted structures, reaching approximately 33% efficiency.
• Investigated interface and bulk defects to understand efficiency limitations.

Conclusions:

• Material selection and structural design are critical for optimizing APSC performance in indoor settings.
• Simulations provide a powerful tool for designing high-efficiency APSCs for specific applications like indoor energy harvesting.