Charge transfer highways in polymer solar cells embedded with imprinted PEDOT:PSS gratings

Chia Te Yen, Fu Chiao Wu, Horng Long Cheng, Hwo Shuenn Sheu, Fu Ching Tang, Wei Yang Chou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study presents the developed poly(3-hexylthiophene):indene-C60 bisadduct (P3HT:ICBA)-based organic solar cells, where nanoimprinted poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) gratings successfully functioned as charge transport highways and induced an ICBA-rich surface. The embedded nanostructures improved light harvesting and contact area; however, these two factors were not the primary enhancers of solar cell performance. Atomic force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy revealed that the imprinted PEDOT:PSS gratings activated hole- and electron-conducting pathways. This result can be attributed to the enhancement of the π-π orbital overlap between P3HT and PEDOT:PSS polymer chains and to the grating-induced ICBA phase separation. These two effects were the primary factors that increased the short-circuit current of the imprinted devices, which resulted in the increase of power conversion efficiency. In-plane and out-of-plane grazing incident X-ray diffraction revealed that the chain orientation of P3HT on the PEDOT:PSS gratings was the same as that on the plane PEDOT:PSS surface. This study proved the feasibility of nanoimprinting for organic solar cells, as well as for organic field-effect transistors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)58342-58348
Number of pages7
JournalRSC Advances
Volume4
Issue number102
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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