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All-polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells with high fill factors based on blends of poly-3-hexylthiophene: poly(perylene diimide-alt-terthiophene)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2012

Dariusz Kotowski
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole - CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
Erika Kozma
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole - CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
Marinella Catellani
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole - CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
Silvia Luzzati
Affiliation:
Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole - CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Abstract

The photovoltaic characteristics of all polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells made of P3HT and a perylene diimide-based copolymer (PEK3) have been studied. Thermal annealing is needed to improve the performances. Annealing optimization induces an enhancement of the power conversion efficiency from 0.06 to 1%, Jsc from 0.24 to 2.9 mA/cm2 and FF from 0.32 to 0.59. The origin of such improvements has been investigated by studying the P3HT:PEK3 blend morphology, by means of absorption and emission spectroscopy and charge transport, from single carrier measurements on P3HT:PEK3 diodes. Upon annealing we have observed an increase in phase segregation and a 100-fold enhancement of the hole and electron mobilities, that favor the dissociation of bound electron-hole pairs and their transport to the electrodes. This explains the high FF of the annealed P3HT:PEK3 solar cell.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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