Pathway for recovery of photo-degraded polymer solar cells by post degradation thermal anneal

Bhattacharya, J.; Joshi, P. H.; Biswas, Rana; Dalal, V. L.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2017.02.012

Title: Pathway for recovery of photo-degraded polymer solar cells by post degradation thermal anneal

Journal Article · Thu Feb 16 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2017.02.012· OSTI ID:1357786

Bhattacharya, J. ^[1]; Joshi, P. H. ^[1]; Biswas, Rana ^[1]; Dalal, V. L. ^[1]

Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

The photo-degradation of polymer solar cells is a critical challenge preventing its commercial deployment. We experimentally fabricate organic solar cells and characterize their degradation under solar simulators in an environmental chamber under nitrogen flow, without exposure to oxygen and moisture. We have developed a thermally stable inverted organic solar cell architecture in which light induced degradation of device characteristics can be reversibly annealed to the pristine values. The stable inverted cells utilized MoO_x layers that are thermally treated immediately after their deposition on the organic layer, and before metal cathode deposition. Organic solar cells that are photo-degraded in the presence of oxygen, however show irreversible degradation that cannot be thermally recovered. The decrease of organic solar cell characteristics correlates with increases in mid-gap electronic states, measured using capacitance spectroscopy and dark current. It is likely the photo-induced defect states caused by local H motion from the alkyl chains to the aromatic backbone, can be reversibly annealed at elevated temperatures after photo-degradation. Finally, our results provide a pathway for improving the stability of organic photovoltaics.

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Research Organization:: Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-07CH11358

OSTI ID:: 1357786

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1412605

Report Number(s):: IS-J-9266; PII: S0927024817300636

Journal Information:: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 164, Issue C; ISSN 0927-0248

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 12 works

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TiO ₂ –P3HT:PCBM photoelectrochemical tandem cells for solar-driven overall water splitting Shao, Dawei; Zheng, Lingcheng; Feng, Deqiang Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Vol. 6, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ta09367e	journal	January 2018

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
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Title: Pathway for recovery of photo-degraded polymer solar cells by post degradation thermal anneal

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