High performance inverted polymer solar cells with solution processed metal oxides as electron transport layers: A comparative study

Transparent metal oxides became an important class of low-temperature solution-processed electron transport layers (ETLs) for inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) due to their high optical transparency in the visible range, relatively good electrical conductivity and tunable work function. In this work we made a comparative study between the electrical performances of devices realized with various metal oxides as ETLs: ZnO, ZnO:Al and TiOx. These oxides were prepared by low-temperature solution process techniques and used in PSCs with the configuration glass/Indium tin oxide (ITO)/ETL/photoactive layer/MoO3/Ag. The photoactive layer was a blend of poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4-b]thiophene-)-2-carboxylate-2-6-diyl)] and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester. The best power conversion efficiency (9.1%) under simulated AM1.5G illumination of 100 mW/cm2, was achieved for the PSC fabricated using a ZnO:Al interlayer. In order to elucidate the electrical processes at the interfaces between the ETL and the blend, impedance spectroscopy analysis was carried out. The ZnO:Al PSC shows better charge transfer properties between the active layer and the ITO and longer charge carrier lifetime. These factors contribute to improve the fill factor and increase the current output leading to an higher power conversion efficiency.