Improvement of inverted planar heterojunction solar cells efficiency by using KI/Alq3 hybrid exciton blocking layer

Hind Lamkaouane (1, 2) , Hajar Ftouhi (3, 1) , Mimoun Zazoui (2) , Mohammed Addou (3) , Linda Cattin (1) , Jean-Christian Bernède (4) , Guy Louarn (1) , Yamina Mir (2)

1 IMN - Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel
2 University Hassan II [Casablanca]
3 UAE - Abdelmalek Essaadi University [Tétouan] = Université Abdelmalek Essaadi [Tétouan]
4 MOLTECH-Anjou

The exciton blocking layer (EBL) as an interfacial layer is extremely critical in determining the organic photo-voltaic cell (OPV) performances. Here, we studied inverted planar heterojunction solar cells PHJ-OPVs with the following configuration ITO/EBL/C60/CuPc/MoO3/Al. Upon the EBL functionality which can act as an exciton blocking layer and allows the electron collection at the cathode, we proposed the insertion of hybrid EBL con -sisted of KI/Alq(3) thin layer. The Alq(3) is known as an EBL due to its broad bandgap, whereas we found that when a thin layer of 1 nm of KI is introduced in ITO/Alq(3) interface, the KI decomposed during the thermal deposition, and only potassium interacts and diffuses in the Alq(3) layer, which effectively enhances the electrons collection at the ITO/C-60 interfaces leading to the improvement of open-circuit voltage (Voc), and device power conversion efficiency by 36% than the device using Alq(3) alone as EBL.

Domaines: Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

Hind Lamkaouane, Hajar Ftouhi, Mimoun Zazoui, Mohammed Addou, Linda Cattin, et al.. Improvement of inverted planar heterojunction solar cells efficiency by using KI/Alq3 hybrid exciton blocking layer. Solid-State Electronics, 2021, 186, pp.108165. ⟨10.1016/j.sse.2021.108165⟩. ⟨hal-03414801⟩