Large-area, high-quality self-assembly electron transport layer for organic optoelectronic devices

• Published in: Organic electronics Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 2042 - 2046
• Main Authors: Zhang, Di, Choy, Wallace C.H., Xie, Feng-xian, Li, Xinchen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electronics; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Highly uniform films; Interface electron transport materials; Large-area applications; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Natural energy; Optoelectronic devices; Organic optoelectronics; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Self-assembly; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Solution-processed self-assembly method; Surface structure and topography; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Titanium oxide; Organic optoelectronics; Interface electron transport materials; Large-area applications; Titanium oxide; Solution-processed self-assembly method; Highly uniform films; Performance evaluation; Electron transport layer; Organic solar cells; Surface structure; Charge collection; Manufacturing processes; Lining processes; Electron mobility; Cost lowering; Growth from solution; Organic electronics; Optoelectronics; Surface morphology; Optoelectronic devices; Self-assembled layers; Interfaces; Self-assembly; Spin-on coatings; Spin-on coating
• ISSN: 1566-1199; 1878-5530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orgel.2012.06.012

[Display omitted] ► We propose a self-assembly method for forming efficient TiO2 transport layer. ► The self-assembled TiO2 layers are found to be highly uniform. ► The uniform surface leads to enhanced charge collection and device performance. ► The self-assembly method is applicable to large area and maintains good uniformity. ► This method can be potentially applied to low-cost organic optoelectronics. We propose a self-assembly method for forming large-area high-quality solution-processed titanium oxide (TiO2) films as efficient electron transport layer for organic solar cells. The self-assembled solution-processed TiO2 layers are highly ordered and significantly improved in surface morphology over commonly-used spin-coating process resulting in better charge collection and significant material saving. When incorporated into polymer solar cells, the TiO2 device shows enhanced performance. Furthermore, we demonstrate the TiO2 can form large-area films, and achieve very uniform and improved device performances. Consequently, the self-assembled TiO2 films can be efficient and low-cost electron transport layer potentially for large-area organic optoelectronics.