Comparison of two types of vertically aligned ZnO NRs for highly efficient polymer solar cells

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 51; no. 4; pp. 272 - 280
• Main Authors: Gonzalez-Valls, Irene, Angmo, Dechan, Gevorgyan, Suren A., Sebastián Reparaz, Juan, Krebs, Frederik C., Lira-Cantu, Monica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.02.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Application fields; Applied sciences; Blends; cross-section analyses; Electrodes; Energy; Energy conversion efficiency; Exact sciences and technology; Infiltration; interfaces; interpenetrating networks (IPN); inverted configuration; nanorod length; Nanorods; nanotechnology; Natural energy; photophysics; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymer infiltration; polymer solar cells; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Technology of polymers; TEM; Zinc oxide; ZnO nanorods; Fullerene compounds; Aromatic polymer; inverted configuration; polymer solar cells; Organic solar cells; Property processing relationship; Fill factor; nanorod length; interpenetrating networks (IPN); Conjugated polymer; Thiophene derivative polymer; Ethylenedioxythiophene polymer; cross-section analyses; nanotechnology; Manufacturing; Nanorod; interfaces; Short circuit currents; Active layer; Experimental study; Open circuit voltage; Zinc II Oxides; ZnO nanorods; Binary mixture; Morphology; polymer infiltration; Spin-on coating; photophysics; TEM; Vacuum deposition
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.23214

Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NR) are prepared by two different syntheses methods and applied on polymer solar cells (PSCs). The ZnO electrodes work as the electron transport layer with the P3HT:PCBM blend acting as the active material. Several organic blend solution conditions are optimized: concentration, solvent, and deposition speed. The effect of different NR electrode morphologies is analyzed on the solar cell performance and characterized by current–voltage curves and IPCE analyses. The photovoltaic performance of the solar cells was observed to be influenced by many factors, among them infiltration of the organic P3HT:PCBM blend within the ZnO NR layer. The infiltration of the active layer was monitored by cross section SEM and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses. Our results show that higher power conversion efficiencies are achieved when shorter NRs lengths are applied. The best power conversion efficiency obtained was 2.0% for a 400 nm ZnO NR electrode. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013 Vertically aligned zinc oxide nanorods can be used as an electron‐transporting layer for polymer‐fullerene solar cells. Here, they are prepared using two different synthesis methods and applied to solar cells in an inverted configuration. The effects of different polymer‐fullerene blend combinations and nanorod aspect ratio and dimensions are studied, and it is found that the photovoltaic performance is influenced by many factors, especially by the degree of infiltration of the organic polymer blend within the ZnO nanorod layer.