Pressure and thermal annealing effects on the photoconversion efficiency of polymer solar cells
Source abstract
Abstract
This paper presents the results of experimental and theoretical studies of the effects of pressure and thermal annealing on the photo-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of polymer solar cells with active layers that consist of a mixture of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and fullerene derivative (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester. The PCEs of the solar cells increased from ∼2.3% (for the unannealed devices) to ∼3.7% for devices annealed at ∼150 °C. A further increase in thermal annealing temperatures (beyond 150 °C) resulted in lower PCEs. Further improvements in the PCEs (from ∼3.7% to ∼5.4%) were observed with pressure application between 0 and 8 MPa. However, a decrease in PCEs was observed for pressure application beyond 8 MPa. The improved performance associated with thermal annealing is attributed to changes in the active layer microstructure and texture, which also enhance the optical absorption, mobility, and lifetime of the optically excited charge carriers. The beneficial effects of applied pressure are attributed to the decreased interfacial surface contacts that are associated with pressure application. The implications of the results are then discussed for the design and fabrication of organic solar cells with improved PCEs.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Organic Electronics and Photovoltaics · Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research · Thin-Film Transistor Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 1 , 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
Physics Advanced Research Center, Sheda Science and Technology 2 , Km 10 Abuja-Lokoja Road, P.M.B 186, Garki-Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3 , 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 4 , 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
Department of Theoretical and Applied Physics, African University of Science and Technology 5 , Km 10, Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, P.M.B. 681, Garki-Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana 6 , P.O. Box LG 25, Legon-Accra, Ghana
Brook-Haven National Laboratory 7 , 98 Rochester Street, Upton, New York 11973, USA
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center 8 , 60 Prescott Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
Funding
Pan African Materials Institute · African University of Science and Technology · Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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