Device performance enhancement of polymer solar cells by nanoparticle self-assembly

Wenluan Zhang; Ngoc A. Nguyen; Roy Murray; Michael E. Mackay

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2016.10.030

Device performance enhancement of polymer solar cells by nanoparticle self-assembly

Wenluan Zhang, Ngoc A. Nguyen, Roy Murray, Michael E. Mackay

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We show that it is possible to assemble a sparse mono-layer of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) at cathode interface of a polymer solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₀-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) through the synergic effect of strong convective outflow, surface energy, Fe₃O₄ NPs concentration and active layer thickness. When the distance between those Fe₃O₄ NPs is smaller than the size of P3HT, the P3HT is excluded from the inter-particle space, and fullerene molecules fill in the space to build electron transport pathways improving charge transport and collection near cathode interface proved by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency of the devices is improved up to 20%. The bulk morphology of light absorbing layers is not affected by the addition of Fe₃O₄ NPs as demonstrated by neutron and X-ray scattering results.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	126-133
Number of pages	8
Journal	Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Volume	160
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2016.10.030
State	Published - Feb 1 2017
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Depletion flocculation
Nanoparticle self-assembly
Neutron scattering
Polymer:fullerene solar cells
Spin coating

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Online availability

10.1016/j.solmat.2016.10.030

Library availability

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Cite this

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title = "Device performance enhancement of polymer solar cells by nanoparticle self-assembly",

abstract = "We show that it is possible to assemble a sparse mono-layer of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) at cathode interface of a polymer solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) through the synergic effect of strong convective outflow, surface energy, Fe3O4 NPs concentration and active layer thickness. When the distance between those Fe3O4 NPs is smaller than the size of P3HT, the P3HT is excluded from the inter-particle space, and fullerene molecules fill in the space to build electron transport pathways improving charge transport and collection near cathode interface proved by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency of the devices is improved up to 20%. The bulk morphology of light absorbing layers is not affected by the addition of Fe3O4 NPs as demonstrated by neutron and X-ray scattering results.",

keywords = "Depletion flocculation, Nanoparticle self-assembly, Neutron scattering, Polymer:fullerene solar cells, Spin coating",

author = "Wenluan Zhang and Nguyen, {Ngoc A.} and Roy Murray and Mackay, {Michael E.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by NIST Award 70NANB10H256 through the Center for Neutron Science at the University of Delaware. The authors acknowledge the support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce , in providing the neutron research facilities used in this work. The authors also thank Prof. David Martin for usage of the UV–vis spectrometer and Prof. Xinqiao Jia for the photoluminescence spectrometer. Mr. Frank Kriss' help on ultramicrotomy and Prof. Chaoying Ni's help on carbon coater are greatly appreciated. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 Elsevier B.V.",

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AU - Zhang, Wenluan

AU - Nguyen, Ngoc A.

AU - Murray, Roy

AU - Mackay, Michael E.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by NIST Award 70NANB10H256 through the Center for Neutron Science at the University of Delaware. The authors acknowledge the support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce , in providing the neutron research facilities used in this work. The authors also thank Prof. David Martin for usage of the UV–vis spectrometer and Prof. Xinqiao Jia for the photoluminescence spectrometer. Mr. Frank Kriss' help on ultramicrotomy and Prof. Chaoying Ni's help on carbon coater are greatly appreciated. Publisher Copyright: © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2017/2/1

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N2 - We show that it is possible to assemble a sparse mono-layer of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) at cathode interface of a polymer solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) through the synergic effect of strong convective outflow, surface energy, Fe3O4 NPs concentration and active layer thickness. When the distance between those Fe3O4 NPs is smaller than the size of P3HT, the P3HT is excluded from the inter-particle space, and fullerene molecules fill in the space to build electron transport pathways improving charge transport and collection near cathode interface proved by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency of the devices is improved up to 20%. The bulk morphology of light absorbing layers is not affected by the addition of Fe3O4 NPs as demonstrated by neutron and X-ray scattering results.

AB - We show that it is possible to assemble a sparse mono-layer of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) at cathode interface of a polymer solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT: PCBM) through the synergic effect of strong convective outflow, surface energy, Fe3O4 NPs concentration and active layer thickness. When the distance between those Fe3O4 NPs is smaller than the size of P3HT, the P3HT is excluded from the inter-particle space, and fullerene molecules fill in the space to build electron transport pathways improving charge transport and collection near cathode interface proved by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The power conversion efficiency of the devices is improved up to 20%. The bulk morphology of light absorbing layers is not affected by the addition of Fe3O4 NPs as demonstrated by neutron and X-ray scattering results.

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KW - Spin coating

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Device performance enhancement of polymer solar cells by nanoparticle self-assembly

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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