Efficient Inverted Bulk-Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells with Self-Assembled Monolayer Modified Zinc Oxide

Abstract

The performance of poly(3-hexylthiophen) (P3HT) and [6, 6]phenyl C 61 butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM)-based inverted bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells (PSCs) is enhanced by the modification of zinc oxide (ZnO)/BHJ interface with carboxylic-acid- functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Under simulated solar illumination of AM 1.5 (100 mW/cm2), the inverted devices fabricated with SAM-modified ZnO achieved an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.34% due to the increased fill factor and photocurrent density as compared to unmodified cells with PCE of 2.60%. This result provides an efficient method for interface engineering in inverted BHJ PSCs. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.