Synthesis of Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticles for wet-coated hole transport layer of the organic solar cell

Wonmok Lee, Incheol Kim, Hana Choi, Kyungkon Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticle is a promising material as a p-type semiconductor to replace PEDOT:PSS which is frequently used as a hole transport layer in organic solar cells. In this study, we synthesized Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticles via direct thermolysis of Ni(acac)2 in the presence of trioctylphosphine oxide ligand and subsequent air oxidation to increase NiO shell thickness. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the core-shell structure of Ni/NiO with average size of ~10nm as well as an increased shell thickness by air-oxidation. The oxidized nanoparticles were well dispersed in organic solvent such as toluene, which can directly form a hole transport layer of organic solar cell by wet coating method. By spin coating various Ni/NiO nanoparticles on the ITO surface, organic solar cells with P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction as an active layer were fabricated. Solar cells utilizing air-oxidized Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticle interlayer exhibited a better performance compared to those utilizing the as-synthesized Ni/NiO layer, or with no interlayer in between ITO and active layer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-97
Number of pages5
JournalSurface and Coatings Technology
Volume231
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Sep 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was financially supported by Renewable Energy Grant from KETEP (Grant No. 2008NPV08J0130302008 ).

Keywords

  • Air-oxidation
  • Electron blocking layer
  • Hole transport layer
  • Ni/NiO core-shell nanoparticle
  • P-type semiconductor

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