Investigation of the effect of 2,6-pyridinedimethanol as the cathode buffer layer on the photovoltaic properties

ABSTRACT

2,6-pyridinedimethanol (Py-diOH) is applied to the cathode interlayer in inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the blend of PTB7:PC₇₁BM. A layer of Py-diOH generates a favorable interface dipole at the cathode interface. The power conversion efficiency of the devices with the interlayer reaches up to 7.44% with a J_sc of 14.65 mA/cm², a V_oc of 0.71 V, and a FF of 67.9%, respectively The PCE of the device with Py-2OH is very similar to that of the device with ZnO as the electron collection layer. It is possible to obtain high efficiency PSCs without any high temperature heat treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• 2,6-pyridinedimethanol
• cathode interlayer
• Inverted polymer solar cell

Funding

This research work was supported by the New & Renewable Energy Core Technology Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) granted financial resource from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (20153010140030) and was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2015015683).