In-depth analysis of solvent effects on bulk heterojunction solar cell performance

Reihaneh Zohourian Aboutorabi; Mojtaba Joodaki; Kowsar Shahbazi

doi:10.1117/12.2052217

1 May 2014 In-depth analysis of solvent effects on bulk heterojunction solar cell performance

Reihaneh Zohourian Aboutorabi, Mojtaba Joodaki, Kowsar Shahbazi

Proceedings Volume 9137, Organic Photonics VI; 913718 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052217
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2014, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Efficiency of an organic solar cell is very sensitive to fabrication procedure. One of the most important parameters is active layer morphology which radically influences several cell properties such as generation rate, layer resistance, charge carrier motilities etc. Meantime, in P3HT:fullerene based solar cells, using PCBM would improve the morphology and increase the cost simultaneously. On the other hand, C₆₀ is way less expensive, but its limited solubility in common solvents would influence cell performance. To benefit from its cost and as the formation of C₆₀ aggregates and P3HT crystallinity significantly depend on the solvent which would influence several cell properties, one should find a proper solvent. To make an in-depth investigation of solvent effects, experimental investigations will not suffice and using a precise model to fit the data and extract hidden parameters would help us to have a deep understanding of the cells physical basis. In this work, an optimization algorithm is employed to fit a numerical model simulation results with experiments and the model benefits from a field dependent series resistance. Simulation results indicate that a suitable solvent mainly improves the cell performance by changing 3 basic parameters which are G, μ_n and μ_p. Additionally, although parameters such as E_g and DC dielectric constant are very crucial in determining power conversion efficiency, they cannot be effectively improved changing the solvent. It is reported that the cell prepared by Cl-naph:CB performs better than the other cells. Considering our results, it can be attributed to its larger G, μ_n and μ_p. It also has the least R_s and the largest R_sh among all other P3HT:C60 based cells (which is caused by its higher mobility-carrier density product). This work gives experimentalists an idea of how they should choose a solvent. The results can also be generalized to find a proper solvent for other active layer materials.

Citation Download Citation

Reihaneh Zohourian Aboutorabi, Mojtaba Joodaki, and Kowsar Shahbazi "In-depth analysis of solvent effects on bulk heterojunction solar cell performance", Proc. SPIE 9137, Organic Photonics VI, 913718 (1 May 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052217

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