Effect of processing additive 1,8-octanedithiol on the lifetime of PCPDTBT based Organic Photovoltaics

• Published in: Organic electronics Vol. 15; no. 10; pp. 2433 - 2438
• Main Authors: Waters, Huw, Bristow, Noel, Moudam, Omar, Chang, Shu-Wei, Su, Chun-Jen, Wu, Wei-Ru, Jeng, U.-Ser, Horie, Masaki, Kettle, Jeff
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Co-polymer; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Degradation; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fractures; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Lifetime studies; Materials science; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Natural energy; Organic Photovoltaics; Organic solar cell; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Solar radiation; Specific materials; Degradation; Lifetime studies; Organic Photovoltaics; Co-polymer; Organic solar cell; Performance evaluation; Atomic force microscopy; Morphological changes; Material processing; Fullerene compounds; Irradiance; Organic solar cells; Butyric acid; Ester; Additive; Organic electronics; Damaging; Active layer; Durability; Polymer; Long term; Lifetime; Morphology; X ray scattering; Reliability; Microstructure
• ISSN: 1566-1199; 1878-5530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orgel.2014.06.031

[Display omitted] •Degradation of PCPDTBT:PCBM OPVs is shown to increase with the inclusion of 1,8-octanedithiol (ODT).•AFM scans indicate a greater change in the surface properties of devices fabricated with the ODT.•An additional morphological change in the active layer during the light soaking is induced by ODT. The effect that processing additives have upon the lifetime of PCPDTBT-based OPVs has been investigated. The results show conclusively that whilst ODT processing additive enhances the initial performance of PCPDTBT:PCBM OPVs, it is detrimental to their long term performance, when measured under light soaking at 1 Sun of irradiance. Results are shown for both encapsulated and non-encapsulated devices. Topographical and morphological measurements made using AFM and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering of active layers show that there are greater morphological changes of devices fabricated with the 1,8-octanedithiol upon light soaking, revealing a relatively venerable morphology of the active layer processed with the additive, when subject to light soaking.