Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Approaches toward efficient and stable electron extraction contact in organic photovoltaic cells: Inspiration from organic light-emitting diodes

  • Published:
Electronic Materials Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electron extraction contact in organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) is very important to extract electrons from the active layer efficiently, improve the open-circuit voltage, and thus improve the power conversion efficiency. This paper reviews the various approaches to form an electron extraction contact for better power conversion efficiency and device lifetime, especially in organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells based on conjugated polymer: fullerene blends. We discuss the roles of thin metal fluorides, a thin polymeric layer, and a solution processed metal oxide layer at the interface between the photoactive layer and the negative electrode for efficient and stable electron extraction contact in OPVs. In addition, we discuss the effects of various metallic negative electrodes in OPVs in terms of device efficiency and stability. Since these approaches are well established in organic light-emitting diodes, they can be exploited to accelerate research in device engineering to improve device performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. T.-W. Lee and O O. Park, Appl. Phys. Lett., 76, 3161 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. T.-W. Lee, O O. Park, L.-M. Do, T. Zyung, T. Ahn, and H.-K. Shim, J. Appl. Phys., 90, 2128 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. T.-W. Lee and O O. Park, Adv. Mater. 13, 1274 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. T.-W. Lee, H.-C. Lee, and O O. Park, Appl. Phys. Lett., 81. 214 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. S.-H. Oh, D. Vak, S.-I. Na, T.-W. Lee, and D.-Y. Kim, Adv. Mater., 20, 1624 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. T.-W. Lee, M.-G. Kim, S. H. Park, S. Y. Kim, O. Kwon, T. Noh, T.-L. Choi, J. H. Park, and B. D. Chin, Adv. Funct. Mater., 19, 1863 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. F. Zhang, M. Ceder, and O. Inganäs, Adv.Mater., 19, 1835 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S.-I. Na, S.-H. Oh, S.-S. Kim, D.-Y. Kim, Org. Electron. 10, 496 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Y. Zhao, Z. Xie, C. Qin, Y. Qu, Y. Geng, L. Wang, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells. 93, 604 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. S.-H. Lee, J.-H. Kim, T.-H. Shim, and J.-G. Park, Electron. Mater. Lett. 4, 19 (2008).

    Google Scholar 

  11. X. Jiang, H. Xu, L. Yang, M. Shi, M. Wang, H. Chen, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 93, 650 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. M. O. Reese, M. S. White, G. Rumbles, D. S. Ginley, and S. E. Shaheen, Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 053307 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. T.-W. Lee, T. Noh, B.-K. Choi, M.-S. Kim, D. W. Shin, and J. Kido, Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 043301 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. J. Endo, T. Matsumoto, and J. Kido, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 41, L800 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. http://www.isiknowledge.com

  16. Lee, J. Y. Kim, S. H. Park, S. H. Kim, S. Cho, and A. J. Heeger, Adv. Mater. 19, 2445 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. H.-L. Yip, S. K. Hau, N. S. Baek, H. Ma, and A. K.-Y. Jen, Adv. Mater. 20, 2376 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. M.-H. Park, J.-H. Li, A. Kumar, G. Li, and Y. Yang, Adv. Funct. Mater. 19, 1241 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. T.-W. Lee, Y. Chung, O. Kwon, and J.-J. Park, Adv. Funct. Mater. 17, 390 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. M. Y. Chan, S. L. Lai, M. K. Fung, C. S. Lee, and S. T. Lee, J. Appl. Phys. 95, 5397 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. M. T. Lloyd, D. C. Olson, P. Lu, E. Fang, D. L. Moore, M. S. White, M. O. Reese, D. S. Ginley, and J. W. P. Hsu, J. Mater. Chem. 19, 7638 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. M. O. Reese, A. J. Morfa, M. S. White, N. Kopidakids, S. E. Shaheen, G. Rumbles, D. S. Ginley, Sol. Energy. Sol. Cells 92, 746 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. H. Heil, J. Steiger, S. Karg, M. Gastel, H. Ortner, H. von Seggern, and M. Stößel, J. Appl. Phys. 89, 420 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. M. Y. Chan, S. L. Lai, M. K. Fung, C. S. Lee, S. T. Lee, Chem. Phys. Lett. 374, 215 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. X. J. Wang, J. M. Zhao, Y. C. Zhou, X. Z. Wang, S. T. Zhang, Y. Q. Zhan, Z. Xu, H. J. Ding, G. Y. Zhong, H. Z. Shi, Z. H. Xiong, Y. Liu, Z. J. Wang, E. G. Obbard, X. M. Ding, W. Huang, and X. Y. Hou, J. Appl. Phys. 95, 3828 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. X. Yang, Y. Mo, W. Yang, G. Yu, and Y. Cao, Appl. Phys. Lett. 79, 563 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. T. M. Brown, R. H. Friend, I. S. Millard, D. J. Lacey, T. Butler, J. H. Burroughes, and F. Cacialli, J. Appl. Phys. 93, 6159 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. S. E. Shaheen, G. E. Jabbour, M. M. Morrell, Y. Kawabe, B. Kippelen, N. Peyghambarian, M.-F. Nabor, R. Schlaf, E. A. Mash, and N. R. Armstrong, J. Appl. Phys. 84, 2324 (1998).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. E. Ahlswede, J. Hanisch, and M. Powalla, Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 163504 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. J. Luo, H. Wu, C. He, A. Li, W. Yang, and Y. Cao, Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 043301 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. F. Huang, H. Wu, D. Wang, W. Yang, and Y. Cao, Chem. Mater. 16, 708 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. H. B. Wu, F. Huang, Y. Q. Mo, W. Yang, D. L. Wang, J. B. Peng, and Y. Cao, Adv. Mater. 16, 1826 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. H. B. Wu, F. Huang, H. L. Shen, and Y. Cao, Org. Electron. 6, 118 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A. Fujishima and K. Honda, Nature, 238, 37 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. A. L. Linsebigler, G. Lu, and J. T. Yates, Jr., Chem. Rev. 95, 735 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. V. E. Henrich and P. A. Cox, The Surface Science of Metal Oxides, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  37. C. Noguera, Physics and Chemistry of Oxide Surfaces, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1996).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  38. S. H. Kim, J. Y. Kim, S. H. Park, and K. Lee, Proc. SPIEInt. Soc. Opt. Eng. 5937, 59 371G1 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  39. J. Y. Kim, S. H. Kim, H.-H. Lee, K. Lee, W. Ma, X. Gong, and A. J. Heeger, Adv. Mater. 18, 572 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. H. J. Snaith, N. C. Greenham, and R. H. Friend, Adv. Mater. 16, 1640 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. C. Melzer, E. J. Koop, V. D. Mihaletchi, and P. W. M. Blom, Adv. Funct. Mater. 14, 865 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. U. Diebold, Surf. Sci. Rep. 48, 53 (2003).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. G. Li, V. Shrotriya, J. S. Huang, Y. Yao, T. Moriarty, K. Emery, and Y. Yang, Nat. Mater. 4, 864 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. M. Gratzel, Nature 414, 338 (2001).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. M. C. Scharber, D. Muhlbacher, M. Koppe, P. Denk, C. Waldauf, A. J. Heeger, C. J. Brabec, Adv. Mater. 18, 789 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. I. D. Parker, J. Appl. Phys. 75, 1656 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Y. Cao, G. Yu, I. D. Parker, A. J. Heeger, J. Appl. Phys. 88, 3618 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. C. J. Brabec, A. Cravino, D. Meissner, N. S. Sariciftci, T. Fromherz, M. T. Rispens, L. Sanchez, and J. C. Hummelen, Adv. Funct. Mater. 11, 374 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. J. Birgerson, M. Fahlman, P. Bröms, W.R. Salaneck, Synth. Met. 80, 125 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. V.-E. Choong, Y. Park, Y. Gao, T. Wehrmeister, K. Müllen, B. R. Hsieh, C. W. Tang, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 15, 1745 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Y. Park, V.-E. Choong, B. R. Hsieh, C. W. Tang, Y. Gao, Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 3955 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. M. O. Reese, A. J. Morfa, M. S. White, N. Kopidakis, S. E. Shaheen, G. Rumbles, and D. S. Ginley, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 92, 746 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31 Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, 790-784, Gyungbuk, Korea

    Tae-Woo Lee, Kyung-Guen Lim & Dong-Hun Kim

Authors
  1. Tae-Woo Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kyung-Guen Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dong-Hun Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tae-Woo Lee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, TW., Lim, KG. & Kim, DH. Approaches toward efficient and stable electron extraction contact in organic photovoltaic cells: Inspiration from organic light-emitting diodes. Electron. Mater. Lett. 6, 41–50 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3365/eml.2010.03.041

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3365/eml.2010.03.041

Keywords

Search

Navigation