Improving the performance of P3HT/PCBM solar cells with squaraine dye

Jing-Shun Huang; Tenghooi Goh; Xiaokai Li; Matthew Y. Sfeir; Elizabeth A. Bielinski; Stephanie Tomasulo; Minjoo L. Lee; Nilay Hazari; André D. Taylor

doi:10.1117/12.2023447

17 October 2013 Improving the performance of P3HT/PCBM solar cells with squaraine dye

Jing-Shun Huang, Tenghooi Goh, Xiaokai Li, Matthew Y. Sfeir, Elizabeth A. Bielinski, Stephanie Tomasulo, Minjoo L. Lee, Nilay Hazari, André D. Taylor

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8830, Organic Photovoltaics XIV; 88300U (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2023447
Event: SPIE Organic Photonics + Electronics, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Expanding the spectral absorption breadth and efficiently harvesting excitons are crucial towards creating highly efficient polymer solar cells. Here we describe a strategy to realize broad-band light harvesting in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-based solar cells. We introduce the use of squaraine dye molecules that play a dual role towards improving P3HT-based solar cells. The first benefit is an increase in the spectral absorption in the near infrared region. The second advantage is the collection of excitons close to the interfacial heterojunctions via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Unlike traditional multi-blend systems, where each donor works independently in separate spectral responses, FRET-based systems enable the effective use of multiple donors with significant improvements in light absorption and conversion. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments show that the excitation energy from P3HT can be transferred rapidly (within a few picoseconds) and efficiently (up to 96%) to the squaraine via FRET. As a result, the overall power conversion efficiency is improved. This architecture opens up a new paradigm towards transformative improvements of polymer solar cells.

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Jing-Shun Huang, Tenghooi Goh, Xiaokai Li, Matthew Y. Sfeir, Elizabeth A. Bielinski, Stephanie Tomasulo, Minjoo L. Lee, Nilay Hazari, and André D. Taylor "Improving the performance of P3HT/PCBM solar cells with squaraine dye", Proc. SPIE 8830, Organic Photovoltaics XIV, 88300U (17 October 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2023447

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