Enhanced charge extraction in organic solar cells through electron accumulation effects induced by metal nanoparticles

• DOI: 10.1039/c3ee42440e
• Publication Date: 2013-09-11T12:34:46Z
• Authors: Feng-xian Xie; Wallace C. H. Choy; Wei E. I. Sha; Di Zhang; Shaoqing Zhang; Xinchen Li; Chi-wah Leung; Jianhui Hou
• Keywords: Photocurrent; Open-circuit voltage

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to enhance the performance of thin-film devices such as organic photovoltaics. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate electron extraction enhancement induced by charge accumulation effects metal NPs. The NPs (Au Ag NPs) are embedded in a titanium oxide (TiO2) layer, functioning highly efficient transport layer for improving performances inverted solar cells (OSCs), which leads significantly increased photocurrent power conversion efficiency reaching 8.20%. Importantly, our results show that optical plasmonic effect is minor factor OSCs' efficiency. Instead, under illumination can be explained transfer UV-excited electrons from TiO2 enhanced NPs–TiO2 composites. reduces work function composite after UV illumination. redistribution charges UV-irradiated system assist OSCs. Multiphysics study also conducted explain on device (i.e. short-circuit current without degrading open-circuit voltage). Consequently, incorporation NPs, experimental theoretical case doping different conventional semiconductors, exhibits very good collection at electrode optoelectronic devices.