An efficient and thermally stable interconnecting layer for tandem organic solar cells. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Feng; Kang, Dong-Won; Kim, Yong-Sang
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 155(2017)
• Page Start: 552
• Page End: 560
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Organic solar cells -- Inverted tandem -- Interconnecting layer -- Thermal stability; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.06.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: We suggest a novel interconnecting layer (ICL) of MoO3 /Au/Al/ZnO for tandem cell. The ICL with Au/Al works efficiently for charge recombination and ohmic-contact. The ICL is highly transparent and morphologically planar, suitable for tandem cell. The ICL is thermally-stable in organic tandem cell under air-annealing at 150 °C. Abstract: We report a novel interconnecting layer (ICL) consisting of MoO3 /Au/Al/ZnO for efficient operation of inverted homo-tandem organic solar cells employing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and (6, 6)-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). It was found that the ultrathin metal bilayer of Au/Al, a few nanometers, can align the energy levels and play a significant role in the charge extraction and recombination within the ICL. And the ICL showed an electrically ohmic-contact, high transmittance and very planar morphology for tandem application. The performance of air-fabricated homo-tandem organic solar cells with this new ICL delivered an average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.0%, which is very close to the PCE of 3.3% from the state-of-the-art P3HT:PCBM based homo-tandem organic solar cells. Meanwhile, thermal stability tests at an elevated temperature of 150 °C for 12 h showed stable ICL with successful operation.