Polymer‐Modified ZnO Nanoparticles as Electron Transport Layer for Polymer‐Based Solar Cells

Abstract

The optimization of interfacial layer plays a critical role in the ultimate use of polymer-based solar cells (PSCs). By introducing an insulating polymer, polystyrene (PS), into the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with large particle size, an electron transport layer (ETL) with a thickness of more than 130 nm is produced. The doping of PS not only improves the film quality of ZnO NPs to generate a denser, smoother and more uniform ETL, but also increases the contact properties between the hydrophilic ZnO and hydrophobic active layer. In comparison to control devices, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), short circuit current densities (J SC 's) and fill factors (FFs) of PSCs with the PSmodified ETL for a typical fullerene system PTB7-Th:PC 71 BM and, also, a non-fullerene system PBDB-T:ITIC are increased, PCEs from 8.49% to 9.54% and 10.03% to 11.05%, respectively. The reproducibility, mechanical endurance, and ambient stability of the PSCs with the PS-modified ZnO NP ETL are significantly improved. The combination of the insulating polymer and ZnO NPs provides a simple, low-cost way to realize the commercialization of high performance, flexible PSCs.

Modification of the SnO2 Electron Transporting Layer by Using Perylene Diimide Derivative for Efficient Organic Solar Cells

“…Being inserted between the electrode and active layer, the CTL can decrease the interfacial barrier and adjust the mismatched energy levels, thus facilitating charge carrier collection and transportation (Hsieh et al, 2010;. Currently, an n-type metal oxide, namely, zinc oxide (ZnO), has been widely utilized as the material of the electron transporting layer (ETL) for OSCs because of its matched energy level, good conductivity, high optical transparency, and solution processability (White et al, 2006;Kyaw et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2019;Zheng et al, 2019;Fan et al, 2020). However, when placed under ambient sun illumination, ZnO can absorb a large proportion of ultraviolet light, which brings about the degradation of the organic active layer and thus hampers the performance of OSCs (Jiang et al, 2019).…”

Structure and Properties of Biodegradable PLLA/ZnO Composite Membrane Produced via Electrospinning

“…When embedded into polymer, ZnO NPs can provide additional protection against corrosion with a prolonged release of inhibitor and self-healing ability of its composite coating [17]. ZnO nanomaterial incorporated in polystyrene not only improves the quality of film, making it a denser, smoother and uniform layer for electron transfer in solar cells, but also increases contact area between hydrophilic ZnO and the hydrophobic active layer [18].…”

Carrier Blocking Layer Materials and Application in Organic Photodetectors

“…ZnO has been widely used as an ETL in OPDs due to its matched work function, high electron mobility, solution processability, and high transparency. However, the size of the sol-gel ZnO nanoparticles is much larger, which may lead to larger interstitial regions and pinholes in the film that negatively affect electron mobility and make the active layer more susceptible to the effects of water and oxygen [89]. By introducing a polymer into the ZnO nanoparticles, a new strategy to prepare ETLs is produced in OPDs [90].…”