Exploring the limits of hybrid TiO<sub>2</sub>/conjugated polymer photovoltaic cells

L. H. Slooff; S. C. Veenstra; J. M. Kroon; M. M. Koetse; J. Sweelssen; M. M. Wienk

doi:10.1117/12.614362

3 October 2005 Exploring the limits of hybrid TiO₂/conjugated polymer photovoltaic cells

L. H. Slooff, S. C. Veenstra, J. M. Kroon, M. M. Koetse, J. Sweelssen, M. M. Wienk

Proceedings Volume 5938, Organic Photovoltaics VI; 59380K (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.614362
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In hybrid polymer photovoltaics, conjugated polymers are combined with wide bandgap metal oxide semiconductors like TiO₂ or ZnO. Reported maximum power conversion efficiencies (PCE) at AM1.5G conditions for a hybrid polymer bulkheterojunction device are up to 1.6 %. In this paper we report on the current-voltage characteristics of bi-layer devices consisting of TiO₂ and a conjugated polymer. Several polymers with different optical bandgap were studied. The maximum External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) of the devices is comparable, but the PCE differs considerably (0.2-0.5%). The differences can for a large part be explained by the differences in optical bandgap of the polymers. It is shown that a low band gap is beneficial for the short circuit current, but does not automatically result in a high PCE as relative shifts of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels of the polymers reduce the open circuit voltage (V_oc). The calculations show that a PCE up to ~ 19 % can be achieved using the maximum possible V_oc and a fill factor of 80%. Judicious engineering of material combinations is required to achieve such a power output, and it expresses the need for a continuing search on potentially low cost, efficient metal oxide/polymer BHJ structures.

Citation Download Citation

L. H. Slooff, S. C. Veenstra, J. M. Kroon, M. M. Koetse, J. Sweelssen, and M. M. Wienk "Exploring the limits of hybrid TiO₂/conjugated polymer photovoltaic cells", Proc. SPIE 5938, Organic Photovoltaics VI, 59380K (3 October 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.614362

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