The effect of introducing a buffer layer to polymer solar cells on cell efficiency

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 95; no. 4; pp. 1119 - 1122
• Main Authors: Kim, Gi-Hwan, Song, Hyun-Kon, Kim, Jin Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buffer layer; Buffer layers; Charge transfer; Contact angle; Electrical conductivity; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Hole mobility; Interfacial properties; Natural energy; PEDOT:PSS; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Polymer solar cells; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Buffer layer; Polymer solar cells; PEDOT:PSS; Performance evaluation; Electrical conductivity; Polymer blends; Organic photovoltaics; Conversion rate; Hole mobility; Doped materials; Contact angle; Organic solar cells; Fill factor; Interface properties; Methyl sulfoxide; Thiophene derivative polymer; Styrenesulfonate polymer; Charge transfer; Heterojunction
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.12.026

The effect of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as a buffer layer was investigated in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Four different types of PEDOT:PSS were used: PH, PH500 and their DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide)-doped counterparts. The efficiency of PSCs was independent of the electric conductivity of the buffer layer as a bulk property while it was significantly related to interfacial properties between the buffer layer and a bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) layer. The interfacial properties included charge transfer resistance ( R CT ), hole mobility ( μ h ) and contact angle ( θ) of the solution of BHJ on the buffer layer. Lower R CT , higher μ h and smaller θ led to the higher fill factor (up to 72%), enabling highly efficient PSCs with efficiency ( η)=4.25%. [Display omitted]