By introducing a thin ZnO layer as an optical spacer, we have demonstrated that inserting this layer between an active layer and a reflective electrode results in a re-distribution of the optical electric field inside bulk heterojunction solar cells. A theoretical analysis by optical modeling showed that the thin ZnO layer could shift the position of the maximum of the electric field into the a...

Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells based on small molecules are often fabricated by the co-deposition of donor and accepter materials on substrates placed horizontally. An intimate blend of donor and acceptor molecules is the common product in as-prepared samples. Using metal phthalocyanine as the donor and fullerene as the acceptor, we tilt the substrate to deposit the active layer. Both ...

A silicon nanocrystals (Si-ncs) conjugated-polymer-based bulk-heterojunction represents a promising approach for low-cost hybrid solar cells. In this contribution, the bulk-heterojunction is based on Si-ncs prepared by electrochemical etching and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer. Photoelectric properties in parallel and vertical device-like configuration were investigated. Electronic inter...

Amide functionalized anthradithiophenes (ADTs) play active acceptor roles in polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cells. The first separation of ADT isomers is reported, and the regiochemistry of the ADT has significant impact on crystal packing and solar cell performance. Cell efficiency up to 0.80%, due in large part to high open-circuit voltage (V(OC) > 1.0 V), is achieved in bulk-heterojunctio...

High charge-separation efficiency combined with the reduced fabrication costs associated with solution processing and the potential for implementation on flexible substrates make 'plastic' solar cells a compelling option for tomorrow's photovoltaics. Attempts to control the donor/acceptor morphology in bulk heterojunction materials as required for achieving high power-conversion efficiency have...

Polymer aggregation correlated transition from Schottky-junction to bulk heterojunction organic solar cells" (2014).

We have fabricated inverted heterojunction solar cell devices incorporating [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester/poly(3-hexylthiophene) core/shell nanorod arrays by using an anodic alumina oxide template. The internal quantum efficiencies and external quantum efficiencies of these core/shell nanorod inverted solar cells were higher than those of the corresponding conventional inverted b...

Fabrication of a monocrystalline silicon based heterojunction film at room-temperature in a time-efficient manner is desirable for energy and environmental considerations. In this report, a gas-solid phase direct elemental reaction (DER) route to realize this aim by firstly depositing an elemental copper layer on a monocrystalline silicon surface followed by a reaction with iodine vapor is desc...

Silicon nanocrystal (Si-nc) down-conversion is demonstrated to enhance organic and hybrid organic/inorganic bulk heterojunction solar cells based on PTB7:[70]PCBM bulk heterojunction devices. Surfactant free surface-engineered Si-ncs can be integrated into the device architecture to be optically active and provide a means of effective down-conversion of blue photons (high energy photons below ∼...

The effects of germanium tetrabromide addition to tetraphenyl porphyrin zinc (Zn-TPP)/fullerene (C60) bulk heterojunction solar cells were characterized. The light-induced charge separation and charge transfer were investigated by current density and optical absorption. Addition of germanium tetrabromide inserted into active layer of Zn-TPP/C60 as bulk heterojunction had a positive effect on th...