Effect of Different Solvents on Performance Polymer: Fullerene: Gold Nanoparticles Organic Solar Cell

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) deposited at the interface of the intermediate layer [poly (3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)] and poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenylC61-butyricacidmethylester (P3HT:PCBM) active layer were found to significantly increase organic solar cell performance. Organic solar cell devices with different solvents, such as the chlorobenzene (CB), dichlorobenzene (DCB), chloroform (CF), and co-solvent Chlorobenzene: Dichlorobenzene (CB:DCB), Chlorobenzene:Chloroform (CB:CF), and Dichlorobenzene:Chloroform (DCB:CF) were fabricated. The photo-physical properties of these devices with different solvents are investigated. It can be found that, absorption spectrum of the blend becomes broad with different solvents, which is highly desirable for an organic solar cell devices. Film morphology is evaluated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). XRD patterns and External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) measurements are also performed for the devices. The efficiency enhancement for the device with (CB:CF) is more significant than for other solvents. With different solvents, the solar cells upon (CB:CF) give Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) of 3.6%, in contrast to 3.2% for (CB), 2.06% for (DCB), 3% for (CF), 2.55% for (CB:DCB), and 2.9% (DCB:CF) devices.

Keywords

• pcbm
• organic solar cell
• solvents
• gold nanoparticle