We report Barium (Ba) cathode layer for bulk-heterojunction solar cells which enhanced the fill factor (FF) of p-DTS(FBTTh2)2/PC71BM BHJ solar cell up to 75.1%, one of the highest value reported for an organic solar cell. The external quantum efficiency exceeds 80%. Analysis of recombination mechanisms using the current-voltage (J-V) characteristics at various light intensities in the BHJ solar...

In recent years, since the introduction of bulk heterojunction concept in an organic solar cell, the efficiency is increased to ∼6%. The benefits of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells are drawing interest for applications in next-generation solar cells. In this study, we analyze the optimal top electrode for practical polymer solar cells (PSC) fabrication by utilizing the optical pro...

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...

Traditional low-molecular weight colorants that are widely applied in textile coloration, for printing purposes and nonlinear optics, now afford bulk heterojunction solar cells in combination with soluble C(60) fullerene derivative PCBM with power conversion efficiencies up to 1.7% under standard solar radiation.

Two non-fullerene small molecules based on fluoranthene-fused imide were developed as acceptors for solution-processed inverted organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells, which showed good power conversion efficiency and high open-circuit voltage.

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...

We report a general strategy for fine-tuning the bandgap of donor-acceptor-donor based organic molecules by modulating the electron-donating ability of the donor moiety by changing the benzochalcogenophene donor groups from benzothiophenes to benzoselenophenes to benzotellurophenes. These molecules show red-shifts in absorption and external quantum efficiency maxima from sulfur to selenium to t...

Tandem solar cells, in which two solar cells with different absorption characteristics are linked to use a wider range of the solar spectrum, were fabricated with each layer processed from solution with the use of bulk heterojunction materials comprising semiconducting polymers and fullerene derivatives. A transparent titanium oxide (TiO(x)) layer separates and connects the front cell and the b...

Morphology control of solution coated solar cell materials presents a key challenge limiting their device performance and commercial viability. Here we present a new concept for controlling phase separation during solution printing using an all-polymer bulk heterojunction solar cell as a model system. The key aspect of our method lies in the design of fluid flow using a microstructured printing...

The authors report the growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes directly onto indium tin oxide glass via chemical vapor deposition as large area semitransparent electrodes for organic solar cell applications. The rate of nanotube growth on this ternary oxide is greatly reduced as compared to that of silicon dioxide and glass substrates enabling a high degree of control over nanotube height. The str...