Poly(3-hexylthiophene):indene-C60 bisadduct morphology improvement by the use of polyvinylcarbazole as additive

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 113; pp. 90 - 95
• Main Authors: Hsin-Yi, Chen, Lan, Shiang, Yang, Po-Ching, Lin, Shang-Hong, Sun, Jen-Yu, Lin, Ching-Fuh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.06.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A/D morphology; Additive; Applied sciences; Devices; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Horizontal; Inverted structure; Natural energy; Open circuit voltage; Phase separation; Photocurrent; Photoelectric effect; Photovoltaic conversion; Polymer solar cells; Polyvinyl carbazole; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Solution-process; Solvents; Additive; A/D morphology; Solution-process; Inverted structure; Polymer solar cells; Automatic classification; Conversion rate; Active layer; Organic solar cells; Carbazole(vinyl) polymer; Open circuit voltage; Crystalline material; Thiophene derivative polymer; Morphology; Energy conversion; Fullerenes; Photoelectric current; Growth from solution
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.01.044

Bis-indene fullerene (ICBA) is a highly symmetric molecule that tends to diffuse and aggregate into larger clusters, resulting in a huge horizontal phase separation when the master solvent vaporizes, in addition to a significant drop in power conversion efficiency (PCE). We found that Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT): indene-C60 bisadduct (ICBA) blended with a high-molecular-weight polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) film could effectively prevent the clustering of ICBA crystalline molecules, thereby improving the phase separation. Furthermore, PVK dispersed the ICBA:P3HT active layer in a more uniform manner, increasing open circuit voltage (Voc) and reducing photocurrent loss. As a result, the PCE of the device can be improved from 2.2% to 4.5%. [Display omitted] ► Inverted devices fabricated with solution-based process. ► High stability of the device over 1000h storage in air. ► The aggregation cluster of ICBA is dispersed by additive PVK. ► Improved charge extraction by CuOx HTL with sol–gel process.