The modulation of bulk-organic solar cells: the effect of serial and parallel resistances and the relationship with the microscopic morphology

2011 ◽  
Vol 1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Trindade ◽  
M.G. Santos ◽  
J. Gomes ◽  
L. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Relevant Parameter ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Microscopic Morphology ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTThis work shows the relationship between the morphology (studied by AFM) of an active bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) layer composed by MEH-PPV (poly(2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) and PCBM ([6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) and the respective photovoltaic figures of merit. It is observed that the most relevant parameter (influencing the efficiency) is the fill-factor (FF), as both the open circuit voltage and short circuit current are not significantly affected by the microscopic morphology. Different local conformation of the active films can change the FF from near 25% to more than 65%, having a strong impact in the efficiency. These results were modulated by an equivalent circuit. Serial and parallel resistances were related with the physical behavior of the organic cells. These were observed to have a direct relationship with the achieved morphology.

scholarly journals SCAPS Simulation on P3HT:Graphene Nanocomposites Based Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Nur Shakina Mohd Shariff ◽  
Puteri Sarah Mohamad Saad ◽  
Mohamad Rusop Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Capacitance Voltage

There has been an increasing interest towards organic solar cells after the discovery of conjugated polymer and bulk-heterojunction concept. Eventhough organic solar cells are less expensive than inorganic solar cells but the power conversion energy is still considered low. The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of the P3HT’s thickness and concentration towards the efficiency of the P3HT:Graphene solar cells. A simulation software that is specialize for photovoltaic called SCAPS is used in this research to simulate the effect on the solar cells. The solar cell’s structure will be drawn inside the simulation and the parameters for each layers is inserted. The result such as the open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), efficiency (η), capacitance-voltage (C-V) and capacitance-frequency (C-f) characteristic will be calculated by the software and all the results will be put into one graph.

scholarly journals Stability of High Band Gap P3HT : PCBM Organic Solar Cells Using TiOxInterfacial Layer

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurniawan Foe ◽  
Gon Namkoong ◽  
Matthew Samson ◽  
Enas M. Younes ◽  
Ilho Nam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Interfacial Layer ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photon Absorption

We fabricated a poly[3-hexylthiophene] (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) organic photovoltaic cells (OPCs) using TiOxinterfacial layer. We performed optimization processes for P3HT : PC61BM with the TiOxlayer. We found that a solution based TiOxlayer coated at a spin speed of 3000 rpm improved the photon absorption of the active layer. An optimized TiOxlayer was also used as the interfacial layer to investigate the stability of P3HT : PC61BM OPC. After 70 days of storage, we observed that the short-circuit current density (JSC) dropped by 16.2%, fill factor (FF) dropped by 10.6%, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) dropped approximately by 25%, while the open-circuit voltage (VOC) remained relatively stable. We found that a solution based TiOxlayer synthesized using a sol-gel chemistry method was very effective in protecting the active layer from degradation.

New Physical and Chemical Treatments to Improve the Quantum Efficiency in Polymer Solar Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Yoshikawa ◽  
Taro Sonobe ◽  
Takashi Sagawa ◽  
Susumu Yoshikawa
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Polymer Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Microwave Treatment ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit

AbstractThe performance of the devices of bulk heterojunction polymer-based solar cells were investigated by using poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and (6,6)-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as light absorption (viz. active) layer, with TiOx as interlayer as follows: ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT-PCBM/TiOx/Al [1] through the treatment of microwave irradiation (single mode of 2.45 GHz, 800 W for 1, 2.5, or 5 min). Such treatments enabled to increase the short-circuit current density Jsc (from 4.53 mA cm−2 to 7.27 mA cm−2) and fill factor FF (from 0.41 to 0.66) of the cell, though the open circuit voltage Voc was decreased (from 0.61 V to 0.57 V) along the irradiation. Absorption spectra of P3HT-PCBM blended film before and after the microwave treatment were observed. Shoulders at 550 nm and 600 nm appeared after the irradiation. This result implies that the microcrystallization of P3HT was slightly promoted through the microwave treatment.

Performance of P3HT:PCBM Organic Solar Cell with ZnO Buffer Layer

2014 ◽  
Vol 925 ◽  
pp. 580-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Syafiq Alias ◽  
Sharul Ashikin Kamaruddin ◽  
Che Ani Norhidayah ◽  
Nurulnadia Sarip ◽  
Nayan Nafarizal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Buffer Layer ◽  
Organic Solar Cell ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Surface Topology ◽  
Solar Simulator

In this paper, we explore the characteristics of bulk heterojunction solar cell based on poly (3-hexyl thiophene) [P3HT] and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester [PCBM] by introducing a buffer layer with device configuration of ITO/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/Au. Nanostructured ZnO with individual diameter around 20-50 nm was used as the buffer layer and its effects on the short circuit current density, Jsc and open circuit voltage, Voc were investigated. It was found that, the electrical characteristic of the organic solar cell was obviously changed by introducing the buffer layer. Solar cell characteristic with Voc of 0.3939 V was obtained but the Jsc was very small. The surface topology of the P3HT:PCBM was investigated using an atomic force microscopy (AFM). ZnO nanoparticles were observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and the electrical properties of the solar cell was measured using a solar simulator with a current – voltage (I-V) measurement system.

The Essence and Efficiency Limits of Bulk-Heterostructure Organic Solar Cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alam ◽  
B. Ray ◽  
M. Khan ◽  
S. Dongaonkar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Carrier Transport ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Future Improvement

Abstract:Since its introduction in early 1990s, bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic solar cell (BHJ-OPV) has promised high-efficiency at ultra-low cost and weight, with potential for non-traditional applications such as building-integrated PV. There is a widespread presumption, however, that the complexity of morphology makes carrier transport in OPV irreducibly complicated, and possibly, beyond predictive modeling. In this paper, we use elementary and intuitive arguments to derive the fundamental thermodynamic as well as morphology-specific practical limits of BHJ-OPV efficiency. We find that constraints of the percolation threshold and trade-off among short-circuit current, open circuit voltage, and fill factor make substantial improvement in OPV efficiency difficult. We posit that future improvement in OPV will rely not on morphology engineering, or reducing the polymer bandgap, but on increasing both the effective μ × τ product and the cross-gap between donor/acceptors. Even if the OPV fails to achieve the highest efficiency anticipated by the thermodynamic limit, its novel form factor, lightweight, and transparency can make it a commercially viable option for many applications.

Effect of Various Structures on the Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 311 ◽  
pp. 419-423
Author(s):  
Kan Lin Chen ◽  
D.W. Chou ◽  
Chien Jung Huang ◽  
Jhong Ciao Ke ◽  
Wen Ray Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Dark Current ◽  
Copper Phthalocyanine ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Absorption Efficiency ◽  
Open Circuit

Small molecule organic solar cell with an optimized structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) (10nm)/CuPc: C60mixed (20nm)/fullerene (C60) (20nm)/bathocuproine (BCP) (10nm)/Al) was fabricated. With optimizing the hybrid planar-mixed molecular heterojunction (PM-HJ) from the double layer heterojunction (HJ) and the bulk heterojunction (BHJ), the short-circuit current density (Jsc) increased from 3.09 to 5.11mA/cm2, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) increased from 0.40 to 0.47V, and the power conversion efficiency (ηp) increased from 0.66 to 1.28% under 100mW/cm2 AM1.5G illumination. These improvements were attributed to reach the optimal balance among the light absorption efficiency, the exciton dissociation efficiency and the carrier collection efficiency of the device, resulting in enhancement of Jscwithout affecting the value of fill factor (FF) and the reduction of the dark current. Furthermore a decrease of dark current is caused to the higher Voc.

scholarly journals Indium-Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films as Effective Anodes of Organic Photovoltaic Devices

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyang Hu ◽  
Baochen Jiao ◽  
Jianjun Zhang ◽  
Xiaodan Zhang ◽  
Ying Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Organic Photovoltaic

Indium-doped zinc oxide (IZO) thin films were prepared by low-cost ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). Both a low resistivity (3.13×10−3 Ω cm) and an average direct transmittance (400∼1500 nm) about 80% of the IZO films were achieved. The IZO films were investigated as anodes in bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester. The device fabricated on IZO film-coated glass substrate showed an open circuit voltage of 0.56 V, a short circuit current of 8.49 mA cm-2, a fill factor of 0.40, and a power conversion efficiency of 1.91%, demonstrating that the IZO films prepared by USP technique are promising low In content and transparent electrode candidates of low-cost OPV devices.

Study on the Crystal Size of PCBM in Organic Photovoltaic Cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 535-537 ◽  
pp. 1258-1261
Author(s):  
Nan Hai Sun ◽  
Xiao Ying Chang
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Crystal Size ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
Parallel Resistance

Phase separation of the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester(PCBM) active layer (ATL) was investigated by varying their relative ratio in the organic solar cells (OSCs).With the help of the UV/visible spectrophotometer, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope,we found that the cluster of PCBM at the interface or surface was affected by Al cathode, the composition of the blends and thermal annealing. The disc-like shape crystals of PCBM substituted for the needle-like ones at higher PCBM compositions at the ATL/Al interface, which led to stronger contacts and bigger contact area. It could make short circuit current density increase, but may affect the blend morphology and result in parallel resistance and open circuit voltage decreased with the PCBM ratio increasing from 40 to 60%. The microstructure of the P3HT:PCBM ATL, determined by the composition dependent phase separation, supported the optimized performance of the OSCs with the composition of 40–50% PCBM.

scholarly journals Solution-Processed Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells with Silyl End-Capped Sexithiophene

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hei Choi ◽  
Mohamed E. El-Khouly ◽  
Taehee Kim ◽  
Youn-Su Kim ◽  
Ung Chan Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Heterojunction ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Hole Mobility ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Photovoltaic Properties ◽  
Solution Processed ◽  
Heterojunction Solar Cells

We fabricated solution-processed organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) using substituted two sexithiophenes, a,w-bis(dimethyl-n-octylsilyl)sexithiophene (DSi-6T) and a,w-dihexylsexithiophene (DH-6T), as electron donors, and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as an electron acceptor. Solution-processed OPVs usingDH-6TandDSi-6Tshowed good photovoltaic properties in spite of their poor solubility. The best performance was observed onDSi-6T : PCBM 1 : 5 (w/w) blend cell with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.63 V, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 1.34 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 55%, and power conversion efficiency of 0.44% under AM 1.5 G illumination. AlthoughDH-6Thas higher hole mobility thanDSi-6T, theDSi-6T : PCBM blend cell showed higher hole mobility thanDH-6T : PCBM cell. Therefore,DSi-6Tcell showed higher device performance thanDH-6Tcell due to its silyl substitutions, which lead to the increase of the solubility. The incorporation of solution-processed TiO2interfacial layer in theDSi-6T : PCBM devices significantly enhances FF due to the reduced charge recombination near active layer/Al interface.

The Effect of Acceptor Content on the Efficiency of Organic Photovoltaic Cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 209-211 ◽  
pp. 1801-1804
Author(s):  
Jian Min Ye ◽  
Nan Hai Sun
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Organic Solar Cells ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Short Circuit Current Density ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Blend Morphology ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
Parallel Resistance

Phase separation of the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester(PCBM) active layer (ATL) was investigated by varying their relative ratio in the organic solar cells (OSCs).With the help of the UV/visible spectrophotometer, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope,we found that the cluster of PCBM at the interface or surface was affected by Al cathode, the composition of the blends and thermal annealing. The disc-like shape crystals of PCBM substituted for the needle-like ones at higher PCBM compositions at the ATL/Al interface, which led to stronger contacts and bigger contact area. It could make short circuit current density increase, but may affect the blend morphology and result in parallel resistance and open circuit voltage decreased with the PCBM ratio increasing from 40 to 60%. The microstructure of the P3HT:PCBM ATL, determined by the composition dependent phase separation, supported the optimized performance of the OSCs with the composition of 40–50% PCBM.

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