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Degradation Effects Related to the Hole Transport Layer in Organic Solar Cells

  1. Bernhard Ecker1,
  2. Jairo Cesar Nolasco2,
  3. Josep Pallarés2,
  4. Lluis Francesc Marsal2,
  5. Jörg Posdorfer3,
  6. Jürgen Parisi1,
  7. Elizabeth von Hauff1,*

Article first published online: 24 MAY 2011

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201100429

Issue

Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume 21, Issue 14, pages 2705–2711, July 22, 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ecker, B., Nolasco, J. C., Pallarés, J., Marsal, L. F., Posdorfer, J., Parisi, J. and von Hauff, E. (2011), Degradation Effects Related to the Hole Transport Layer in Organic Solar Cells. Adv. Funct. Mater., 21: 2705–2711. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201100429

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Physics, Energy and Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany

  2. 2

    Departament d'Enginyeria Electrònica Elèctrica i Automàtica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Avda. Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain

  3. 3

    Enthone Nano Science Center, Ferdinand-Harten-Str. 7, 22949 Ammersbek, Germany

*Institute of Physics, Energy and Semiconductor Research Laboratory, Carl von Ossietzky University, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 JUL 2011
  2. Article first published online: 24 MAY 2011
  3. Manuscript Received: 24 FEB 2011

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Keywords:

  • bulk-heterojunction;
  • organic solar cells;
  • stability;
  • hole transport layer;
  • impedance spectroscopy

Abstract

The influence of the hole transport layer on device stability in polymer:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells is reported. Three different hole transport layers varying in composition, dispersion solvent, electrical conductivity, and work function were used in these studies. Two water-based hole transport layers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) and polyaniline:poly(styrene sulfonate), and one isopropyl alcohol-based polyaniline:poly(styrene sulfonate) transport layer were investigated. Solar cells with the different hole transport layers were fabricated and degraded under illumination. Current–voltage, capacitance–voltage, and capacitance–frequency data were collected at light intensities of 16, 30, 48, 80, and 100 mW cm−2 over a period of 7 h. Device performance and stability were compared between nonencapsulated and encapsulated samples to gain understanding about degradation effects related to oxygen and water as well as degradation mechanisms related to the intrinsic instability of the solar cell materials and interfaces. It is demonstrated that the properties of the hole transport layer can have a significant impact on the stability of organic solar cells.

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