Novel electron acceptors and new solution processed hole blocking layer for organic solar cells

Identifier:  TDX:2942

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2942

Authors:  Stenta, Caterina

Abstract:
The search for low cost photovoltaics has led to the use of organic materials as possible candidates to substitute silicon based solar devices. Organic materials have high absorption coefficients, allowing the use of thin layers and low cost solution phase manufacturing techniques. The objective of this thesis has been to contribute to the improvement of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells through the incorporation of new acceptor materials of the PDI family and of a film layer of Bathocuproine (BCP) as hole blocking layer. The BCP layer was spin coated from a dilute toluene/methanol solution directly on top of the active layer. The morphological, optoelectronic properties of solar cells with the following structures have been studied and characterized: ITO / PEDOT: PSS / PTB7: PDI / Ca / Ag and ITO / PEDOT: PSS / PTB7: PCBM / BCP / Ag. For this purpose various characterization methods has been carried out, including JV measurements, EQE, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, carrier mobility measurements , charge extraction and transient photo-voltage measurements and AFM.