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Optimization of morphologyof P3HT/PCBM films for organic solar cells: effects of thermaltreatments and spin coating solvents*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2007

G. Janssen
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Physics Department-CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
A. Aguirre
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Physics Department-CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
E. Goovaerts*
Affiliation:
University of Antwerp, Physics Department-CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
P. Vanlaeke
Affiliation:
IMEC vzw, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium IMEC, Division IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
J. Poortmans
Affiliation:
IMEC vzw, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
J. Manca
Affiliation:
IMEC, Division IMOMEC, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Abstract

We demonstrate, by means of light-induced EPR and optical spectroscopy, that thermal treatment of P3HT/PCBM films prepared from CB solution results in a decrease of the charge transfer yields. The improved performance of solar cells is therefore attributed to optimization of the morphology, in particular molecular order in the P3HT regions, which could be monitored by optical absorption and resonant Raman scattering (RRS). We further found that spin coating from slowly evaporating solvents leads directly (i.e., without thermal treatment) to optimal morphologies of the P3HT/PCBM films, with similar results for charge transfer, morphology and solar cell efficiencies.

Keywords

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2007

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Footnotes

*

This paper has been presented at “ECHOS06”, Paris, 28–30 juin 2006.

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