Blue photon management by inhouse grown ZnO:Al cathode for enhanced photostability in polymer solar cells

Bhattacharya, Joydeep; Peer, Akshit; Joshi, Pranav H.; Biswas, Rana; Dalal, Vikram L.

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2018.02.011

Blue photon management by inhouse grown ZnO:Al cathode for enhanced photostability in polymer solar cells

Journal Article · Wed Feb 21 00:00:00 EST 2018 · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2018.02.011· OSTI ID:1433663

Bhattacharya, Joydeep ^[1]; Peer, Akshit ^[2]; Joshi, Pranav H. ^[1]; Biswas, Rana ^[3]; Dalal, Vikram L. ^[1]

Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Microelectronics Research Center
Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Microelectronics Research Center; Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Microelectronics Research Center; Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States); Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

Here, we report the improvement in photostability of P3HT:PC₆₀BM based bulk heterojunction solar cells deposited on Al-doped ZnO as a cathode layer replacing ITO as regularly used TCO in cells with N-I-P configuration. We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate that use of thicker ZnO:Al as cathode can successfully cut down the rate of photodegradation in short circuit current by ~40% and open circuit voltage by ~30% compared to the control device made on ITO based cathode. This effective reduction in photodegradation is understood to be coming from the absorption of ultraviolet and blue photon in the cathode layer itself. The loss in short circuit current due to the loss of blue photon in EQE is compensated by higher FF (lower series resistance) due to thicker ZnO:Al layer resulting in final device efficiency almost uncompromised with added benefit of reduced photo degradation. The experimental results are supported with optical simulations which show more absorption in the short wavelength region for the thicker ZnO films, compared to ITO films, deposited on glass substrates. This work also proposes using ZnO:Al cathode as a template for random textured front surface to potentially increase short circuit current by increase in photon absorption in active layer matrix by light scattering techniques. Our results provide an inexpensive pathway for improving the stability of organic photovoltaics without compromising the device performance.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231; AC02-07CH11358

OSTI ID:: 1433663

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1693874

Report Number(s):: IS-J--9617; PII: S092702481830062X

Journal Information:: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal Name: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Journal Issue: C Vol. 179; ISSN 0927-0248

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Blue photon management by inhouse grown ZnO:Al cathode for enhanced photostability in polymer solar cells

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