An energy-harvesting scheme employing CuGaSe2 quantum dot-modified ZnO buffer layers for drastic conversion efficiency enhancement in inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells

Nanoscale. 2013 Jul 21;5(14):6350-5. doi: 10.1039/c3nr34155k. Epub 2013 Mar 4.

Abstract

We demonstrated a promising route to enhance the performance of inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices by the incorporation of CuGaSe2 (CGS) quantum dots (QDs) into the ZnO buffer layer of P3HT:PCBM-based devices. The modification of QDs provides better band alignment between the organic/cathode interface, improves ZnO crystal quality, and increases photon absorption, leading to more effective carrier transport/collection. By employing this energy-harvesting scheme, short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor of the OPV device after CGS QD modification are improved by 9.43%, 7.02% and 6.31%, respectively, giving rise to a 23.8% enhancement in the power conversion efficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Electric Power Supplies
  • Electrodes
  • Galium / chemistry*
  • Gallium / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Selenium / chemistry*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Solar Energy*
  • Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Selenium Compounds
  • copper gallium diselenide
  • Copper
  • Gallium
  • Selenium
  • Zinc Oxide