Plasmonic backscattering effect in high-efficient organic photovoltaic devices
Plasmonic backscattering effect in high-efficient organic photovoltaic devices
A universal strategy for efficient light trapping through the incorporation of gold nanorods on the electron transport layer (rear) of organic photovoltaic devices is demonstrated. Utilizing the photons that are transmitted through the active layer of a bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device and would otherwise be lost, a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of poly[N-9?-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4?,7?-di-2-thienyl-2?,1?,3?-benzothiadiazole)]:phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT:PC71BM) and poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b?]dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b] thiophenediyl]] (PTB7):PC71BM by ?13% and ?8%, respectively. PCEs over 8% are reported for devices based on the PTB7:PC71BM blend. A comprehensive optical and electrical characterization of our devices to clarify the influence of gold nanorods on exciton generation, dissociation, charge recombination, and transport inside the thin film devices is performed. By correlating the experimental data with detailed numerical simulations, the near-field and far-field scattering effects are separated of gold nanorods (Au NRs), and confidently attribute part of the performance enhancement to the enhanced absorption caused by backscattering. While, a secondary contribution from the Au NRs that partially protrude inside the active layer and exhibit strong near-fields due to localized surface plasmon resonance effects is also observed but is minor in magnitude. Furthermore, another important contribution to the enhanced performance is electrical in nature and comes from the increased charge collection probability.
Kakavelakis, George
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Vangelidis, Ioannis
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Heuer-Jungemann, Amelie
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Kanaras, Antonios G.
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Lidorikis, Elefterios
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Stratakis, Emmanuel
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Kymakis, Emmanuel
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January 2016
Kakavelakis, George
c5401e3b-a028-4ea7-a87b-de6f83d92e51
Vangelidis, Ioannis
cfeb2207-262d-4cc5-9317-85c6240d705b
Heuer-Jungemann, Amelie
19d5a272-0f65-4679-b62b-263fa1806230
Kanaras, Antonios G.
667ecfdc-7647-4bd8-be03-a47bf32504c7
Lidorikis, Elefterios
b3bc464c-9b45-49f7-a446-00523360d252
Stratakis, Emmanuel
73e27da3-b109-4404-94ef-12b8f1ab2d16
Kymakis, Emmanuel
8f3dfa7d-dfe6-40ee-9fca-ae1f0ab6f444
Kakavelakis, George, Vangelidis, Ioannis, Heuer-Jungemann, Amelie, Kanaras, Antonios G., Lidorikis, Elefterios, Stratakis, Emmanuel and Kymakis, Emmanuel
(2016)
Plasmonic backscattering effect in high-efficient organic photovoltaic devices.
Advanced Energy Materials, 6 (2), [1501640].
(doi:10.1002/aenm.201501640).
Abstract
A universal strategy for efficient light trapping through the incorporation of gold nanorods on the electron transport layer (rear) of organic photovoltaic devices is demonstrated. Utilizing the photons that are transmitted through the active layer of a bulk heterojunction photovoltaic device and would otherwise be lost, a significant enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) of poly[N-9?-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4?,7?-di-2-thienyl-2?,1?,3?-benzothiadiazole)]:phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT:PC71BM) and poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b?]dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b] thiophenediyl]] (PTB7):PC71BM by ?13% and ?8%, respectively. PCEs over 8% are reported for devices based on the PTB7:PC71BM blend. A comprehensive optical and electrical characterization of our devices to clarify the influence of gold nanorods on exciton generation, dissociation, charge recombination, and transport inside the thin film devices is performed. By correlating the experimental data with detailed numerical simulations, the near-field and far-field scattering effects are separated of gold nanorods (Au NRs), and confidently attribute part of the performance enhancement to the enhanced absorption caused by backscattering. While, a secondary contribution from the Au NRs that partially protrude inside the active layer and exhibit strong near-fields due to localized surface plasmon resonance effects is also observed but is minor in magnitude. Furthermore, another important contribution to the enhanced performance is electrical in nature and comes from the increased charge collection probability.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 16 November 2015
Published date: January 2016
Organisations:
Quantum, Light & Matter Group
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Local EPrints ID: 386829
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/386829
ISSN: 1614-6832
PURE UUID: eab3e9fc-5579-4aac-8318-bc6142486505
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Date deposited: 03 Feb 2016 11:53
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:29
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Contributors
Author:
George Kakavelakis
Author:
Ioannis Vangelidis
Author:
Amelie Heuer-Jungemann
Author:
Elefterios Lidorikis
Author:
Emmanuel Stratakis
Author:
Emmanuel Kymakis
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