Role of nanoscale morphology on the nano and macro-scale performance of polythiophene based polymer solar cells

ORAL

Abstract

Maximization of the short circuit current, J$_{SC}$, the open circuit voltage, V$_{OC}$, and the fill factor (FF) to achieve highest power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in donor/acceptor, polymer/polymer, solar cells is dependent on optimization of variables associated with the active material's chemical and morphological structure. Control of the nanoscale structure of polythiophene (P3HT)/phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ether (PC$_{61}$BM) active materials was achieved through use of a novel low temperature processing strategy. With the use of energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EF-TEM), electron and X-ray diffraction, together phase contrast, deflection and photocurrent measurements at the nanoscale, we were able to tailor nanoscale morphologies to achieve increases in the J$_{SC}$ by a factor of 1.2 and the PCE by 30{\%}, beyond that using conventional heat treatments for processing.

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Authors

  • Peter Green

    University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann arbor

  • Jojo Amonoo

    Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • Emmanouil Glynos

    University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • Chelsea Chen

    Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor