Optimization of the photovoltaic performance of ZnO-based organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells

Abstract

Organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell is a new type of solar cell, with its organic polymers to provide electrons and inorganic semiconductors to accept electrons. The commonly used inorganic semiconductors are nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), cadmium sulfide (CdS), etc. There are many problems needing to be solved in the research process of hybrid solar cells, such as the poor electron transport efficiency, low utilization of solar energy, chemical incompatibility between inorganic semiconductors and organic polymers, and the consequently caused low photoelectric conversion efficiency. Around the above issues, concerning the solar cell with the ZnO semiconductors as electron acceptor, the photovoltaic performance optimization methods are discussed from the aspects of electron acceptors, electron donor materials and the addition of modified layers for the ZnO-based solar cell, and the future development tendency of the hybrid solar cells is also prospected. The optimization of cell performance has brought hope to the low cost and high efficiency application of this hybrid solar cell.

Keywords

• photochemistry
• ZnO
• organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell
• morphology
• organic polymer
• surface modification
• performance optimization