Efficient inverted polymer solar cells via pyridine-based organic molecules as interfacial modification layer on sol-gel zinc oxide surface

Ren Xiu Ou, Yen Chia Chen, Chen Hsueh Lin, Tzung Fang Guo, Ten Chin Wen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pyridine-based organic molecules (POMs), 4-phenylpyridine (4-Py) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (4-tbp) were used to modify the sol-gel ZnO surface for inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) results showed the formation of N–Zn bonding and the reduction of oxygen vacancies (Vo), depicting that POMs chemisorbed on Vo sites of ZnO surface to passivate O defects. From ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopic (UPS) data, the work function (WF) of ZnO slightly decreased due to interfacial dipole, enhancing the electron extraction from ZnO surface. ZnO surface modified with POMs (ZnO/POMs) possessed smoother morphology and more hydrophobicity than the pristine ZnO surface, providing good interfacial contact with polymeric active layer. The improved surface properties benefited power conversion efficiency (PCE) of bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) PSCs and their stability. As a result, PSCs with ZnO/4-tbp and ZnO/4-Py achieved 9.29% and 9.07% respectively, while 8.16% with the pristine ZnO. Especially, PSCs with ZnO/4-tbp possessed the best PCE because of its intramolecular dipole from electron donating group. This study demonstrates the benefits of POMs modifying the sol-gol ZnO surface for inverted PSCs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)93-97
Number of pages5
JournalOrganic Electronics
Volume63
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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