Solution processed polymer tandem cell utilizing organic layer coated nano-crystalline TiO2 as interlayer

Won Suk Chung, Hyunjung Lee, Wonmok Lee, Min Jae Ko, Nam Gyu Park, Byeong Kwon Ju, Kyungkon Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

A solution processed polymer tandem cell has been fabricated by utilizing organic layer coated TiO2 nanoparticle (OL-TiO2) as an interlayer. The crystalline phase of the OL-TiO2 was anatase. The dispersed solution of the OL-TiO2 showed high optical transparency and excellent film forming property. The top and bottom cell were clearly separated by the OL-TiO2 interlayer without interlayer mixing, which was not observed for the tandem cell utilizing commercially available TiO2 nanoparticle (N-TiO2) as an interlayer. The conversion efficiency of a polymer tandem cell was enhanced from 1.43% to 3.44% by replacing the interlayer from N-TiO2 to OL-TiO2. The tandem cell performance was further enhanced by adjusting the thicknesses of the active layers in the subcells and adjusting the conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS layer in the bottom cell. The highest conversion efficiency of 3.66% was obtained from the tandem cell having the structure of ITO/Baytron P VP AI 4083/P3HT:PCBM (100 nm)/OL-TiO2/Baytron PH 500/P3HT:PCBM (100 nm)/Al. In addition that, it was found that the OL-TiO2 interlayer enhanced the stability of the tandem cell comparing to that of the single junction cell by the reduction of the oxygen diffusion to the bottom layer by the interlayer. It is expected that the performance of the tandem cell can be further enhanced by adopting efficient low band gap materials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)521-528
Number of pages8
JournalOrganic Electronics
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by the New and Renewable Energy Program through the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) ( 008NPV08J010000 ) and KIST Internal Research Fund under the contract number of 2E20980 . Also, Mr. W.-S. Chung thanks the IT R&D Program of MKE/KEIT (No. 2009-F-016-01 ) for the supporting.

Keywords

  • Organic photovoltaics
  • Polymer solar cells
  • Polymer tandem solar cells
  • Solar cells
  • Titanium dioxide nanoparticles

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