Effects of thermal treatment and depth profiling analysis of solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells

Pontsho S. Mbule; Hendrik C. Swart; Odireleng M. Ntwaeaborwa

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005

Effects of thermal treatment and depth profiling analysis of solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells

Pontsho S. Mbule, Hendrik C. Swart, Odireleng M. Ntwaeaborwa

University of The Free State

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

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report the use of solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a buffer layer inserted between the top metal electrode and the photo-active layer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) devices. The photovoltaic properties were compared for devices annealed before (Device A) or after (Device B) the deposition of the Al top electrode. The post-annealing treatment was shown to improve the power conversion efficiency up to 2.93% and the fill factor (FF) up to 63% under AM1.5 (100mW/cm²) illumination. We performed the depth profile/interface analysis and elemental mapping using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Signals arising from ²⁷Al, ¹⁶O, ¹²C, ³²S, ⁶⁴Zn, ²⁸Si, ¹²⁰Sn and ¹¹⁵In give an indication of successive deposition of Al, ZnO, P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS layers on ITO coated glass substrates. Furthermore, we discuss the surface imaging and visualize the chemical information on the surface of the devices.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	9-15
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume	436
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005
Publication status	Published - 5 Dec 2014
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Buffer layer
Bulk-heterojunction
Interface
Organic solar cells
TOF-SIMS
Zinc oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Biomaterials
Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Colloid and Surface Chemistry

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005

Cite this

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title = "Effects of thermal treatment and depth profiling analysis of solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells",

abstract = "We report the use of solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a buffer layer inserted between the top metal electrode and the photo-active layer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) devices. The photovoltaic properties were compared for devices annealed before (Device A) or after (Device B) the deposition of the Al top electrode. The post-annealing treatment was shown to improve the power conversion efficiency up to 2.93% and the fill factor (FF) up to 63% under AM1.5 (100mW/cm2) illumination. We performed the depth profile/interface analysis and elemental mapping using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Signals arising from 27Al, 16O, 12C, 32S, 64Zn, 28Si, 120Sn and 115In give an indication of successive deposition of Al, ZnO, P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS layers on ITO coated glass substrates. Furthermore, we discuss the surface imaging and visualize the chemical information on the surface of the devices.",

keywords = "Buffer layer, Bulk-heterojunction, Interface, Organic solar cells, TOF-SIMS, Zinc oxide",

author = "Mbule, {Pontsho S.} and Swart, {Hendrik C.} and Ntwaeaborwa, {Odireleng M.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2014 Elsevier Inc.",

year = "2014",

month = dec,

day = "5",

doi = "10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005",

language = "English",

volume = "436",

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journal = "Journal of Colloid and Interface Science",

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T1 - Effects of thermal treatment and depth profiling analysis of solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells

AU - Mbule, Pontsho S.

AU - Swart, Hendrik C.

AU - Ntwaeaborwa, Odireleng M.

PY - 2014/12/5

Y1 - 2014/12/5

N2 - We report the use of solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a buffer layer inserted between the top metal electrode and the photo-active layer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) devices. The photovoltaic properties were compared for devices annealed before (Device A) or after (Device B) the deposition of the Al top electrode. The post-annealing treatment was shown to improve the power conversion efficiency up to 2.93% and the fill factor (FF) up to 63% under AM1.5 (100mW/cm2) illumination. We performed the depth profile/interface analysis and elemental mapping using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Signals arising from 27Al, 16O, 12C, 32S, 64Zn, 28Si, 120Sn and 115In give an indication of successive deposition of Al, ZnO, P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS layers on ITO coated glass substrates. Furthermore, we discuss the surface imaging and visualize the chemical information on the surface of the devices.

AB - We report the use of solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a buffer layer inserted between the top metal electrode and the photo-active layer in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) devices. The photovoltaic properties were compared for devices annealed before (Device A) or after (Device B) the deposition of the Al top electrode. The post-annealing treatment was shown to improve the power conversion efficiency up to 2.93% and the fill factor (FF) up to 63% under AM1.5 (100mW/cm2) illumination. We performed the depth profile/interface analysis and elemental mapping using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Signals arising from 27Al, 16O, 12C, 32S, 64Zn, 28Si, 120Sn and 115In give an indication of successive deposition of Al, ZnO, P3HT:PCBM and PEDOT:PSS layers on ITO coated glass substrates. Furthermore, we discuss the surface imaging and visualize the chemical information on the surface of the devices.

KW - Buffer layer

KW - Bulk-heterojunction

KW - Interface

KW - Organic solar cells

KW - TOF-SIMS

KW - Zinc oxide

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U2 - 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005

DO - 10.1016/j.jcis.2014.09.005

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84907764680

SN - 0021-9797

VL - 436

SP - 9

EP - 15

JO - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

JF - Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

ER -

Effects of thermal treatment and depth profiling analysis of solution processed bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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