Effect of double blocking layers at TiO2/Sb2S3 and Sb2S3/spiro-MeOTAD interfaces on photovoltaic performance.

Effect of double blocking layers at TiO2/Sb2S3 and Sb2S3/spiro-MeOTAD interfaces on photovoltaic performance.

Faraday discussions (2014-11-20)

Hyun-Woo Kang, Jin-Wook Lee, Nam-Gyu Park

ABSTRACT

The effect of double blocking layers on the Sb(2)S(3)-sensitized all solid state solar cell are investigated. Thin layers of ZrO(2) (blocking layer 1, BL1) and ZnS (blocking layer 2, BL2) are introduced at the TiO(2)/Sb(2)S(3) and Sb(2)S(3)/hole transporting material (HTM) interfaces. The presence of BL1 is found to improve the open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) from 457 mV to 618 mV, whereas BL2 improves mainly short-circuit current density (J(sc)) from 11.1 mA cm(-2) to 14.0 mA cm(-2). Transient photovoltage confirms that the BL1 efficiently blocks charge recombination, responsible for the V(oc) enhancement, whereas the BL2 has little effect on suppression of charge recombination. Surface modification of Sb(2)S(3) by BL2, on the other hand, leads to recovery of Sb(2)S(3) from the surface oxidized Sb(2)O(5), which affects the J(sc) increment. The present results suggest that the TiO(2)/Sb(2)S(3) interface is the main pathway for charge recombination rather than the Sb(2)S(3)/HTM interface. Double blocking layers enhanced the power conversion efficiency by 30%.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

90872

Supelco

Acetone, analytical standard

B7906

Sigma-Aldrich

1-Butanol, for molecular biology, ≥99%

19422

Supelco

1-Butanol, analytical standard

W292907

Sigma-Aldrich

Isopropyl alcohol, ≥99.7%, FCC, FG

224227

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, powder, <5 μm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

204730

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, 99.995% trace metals basis

204757

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, ≥99.98% trace metals basis

281549

Sigma-Aldrich

1-Butanol, anhydrous, 99.8%

PHR1209

Supelco

1-Butanol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

634662

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, mixture of rutile and anatase, nanopowder, <100 nm particle size (BET), 99.5% trace metals basis

637262

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, nanopowder, <100 nm particle size, 99.5% trace metals basis

635057

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, <001>, (single crystal substrate), ≥99.9% trace metals basis, L × W × thickness 10 mm × 10 mm × 0.5 mm

635065

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, rutile, <110>, single crystal substrate, ≥99.9% trace metals basis, L × W × thickness 10 mm × 10 mm × 0.5 mm

48075

Supelco

Ethanol solution, certified reference material, 2000 μg/mL in methanol

700355

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, mixture of rutile and anatase, nanoparticle, <250 nm particle size (DLS), paste, 53-57 wt. % in diethylene glycol monobutyl ether/ethylene glycol, 99.9% trace metals basis

700347

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, mixture of rutile and anatase, nanoparticles, <150 nm particle size (volume distribution, DLS), dispersion, 40 wt. % in H₂O, 99.5% trace metals basis

W332607

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetone, ≥99%, meets FCC analytical specifications

PHR1070

Supelco

Dehydrated Alcohol, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

700339

Sigma-Aldrich

Titanium(IV) oxide, mixture of rutile and anatase, nanoparticles, <100 nm particle size, dispersion, 48-52 wt. % in xylene, 99.9% trace metals basis

154598

Sigma-Aldrich

Acetone, ACS spectrophotometric grade, ≥99.5%