Modification of silver anode and cathode for a top-illuminated organic photovoltaic device

• Published in: Journal of physics. D, Applied physics Vol. 43; no. 39; p. 395101
• Main Authors: Lin, Chi-Feng, Liu, Shun-Wei, Hsu, Wei-Feng, Zhang, Mi, Chiu, Tien-Lung, Wu, Yunfeng, Lee, Jiun-Haw
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 06.10.2010; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Anodes; Applied sciences; Capping; Cathodes; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Devices; Electron states; Electronics; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Excitons and related phenomena; Indium tin oxide; Materials; Natural energy; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Physics; Silver; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Exciton; Light transmission; Fill factor; Indium oxide; Thin film; Photovoltaic cell; Quenching; Solar cell; Silver; Diamine; Ultraviolet radiation; Tin oxide; Illumination; Island structure
• ISSN: 0022-3727; 1361-6463
• DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/43/39/395101

We have demonstrated a top-illuminated organic photovoltaic device with a thick Ag anode and a thin Ag cathode capped with an α-naphthylphenylbiphenyl diamine (NPB) thin film. The surface of the Ag anode was oxidized by UV–ozone which improved the carrier collection and reduced the exciton quenching. Compared with the control device with an indium tin oxide anode, a 15.59 times reduction in the serial resistance and a 1.72 times increase in the shunt resistance were observed with a fill factor of 0.61 in such a device. The NPB capping layer not only improved the light transmission from the semitransparent cathode, but also hindered the formation of Ag island growth and thereby improved the device stability.