Fundamentals of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells: An overview of stability/degradation issues and strategies for improvement. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rafique, Saqib; Abdullah, Shahino Mah; Sulaiman, Khaulah; Iwamoto, Mitsumasa
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 84(2018)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: BHJ Bulk heterojunction -- FF Fill factor -- HOMO Highest occupied molecular orbital -- HTL Hole transport layer -- Jsc Short circuit current density -- LD Diffusion length -- LUMO Lowest unoccupied molecular orbital -- OSCs Organic solar cells -- P3HT Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) -- PCBM [6, 6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester -- PCDTBT Poly[N-9′-heptadecanyl-2, 7-carbazole-alt-5, 5-(4′, 7′-di-2-thienyl-2′, 1′, 3′-benzothiadiazole)] -- PCE Power conversion efficiency -- PEDOT:PSS Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate -- PV Photovoltaics -- R2R Roll to roll -- Voc Open circuit voltage -- WF Work function; Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ OSCs) -- Performance characteristics -- Working principle -- Stability -- Degradation -- Strategies to improve; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.12.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: In the last few years, the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure has remarkably improved. However, for a large scale roll to roll (R2R) manufacturing of this technology and precise device fabrication, further improvements are critical. This article highlights the fundamentals of a BHJ OSC, including its working principle and performance characteristics. The importance of stability for the device lifetime is underpinned and different degradation factors affecting the operational life of OSCs are discussed. Lastly, the strategies to improve the stability of OSCs, including the encapsulation of device, morphology control in BHJ layer, interfacial engineering in terms of buffered layers, use of inverted geometry and alternative electrode materials are highlighted. Moreover, a simple mathematical model of degradation trends in OSCs is proposed. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the current status of BHJ OSCs regarding stability/degradation and covers almost all critical aspects that are considered important to understand it.