Manuel Reinhard

Inverted organic solar cells comprising a solution-processed cesium fluoride interlayer

We investigate the influence of solution-processed cesium fluoride (CsF) interlayers on the performance of inverted polymer solar cells comprising a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl):[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester. The thickness of the CsF layer is optimized in terms of current-voltage characteristics by a variation of the solid content in solution. Capacitance-voltage characteristics reveal a shift of the built-in voltage at the cathode interface by about 0.3 V as compared to devices without a CsF layer, giving rise to an increase in open-circuit voltage by the same value. The vertical distribution of Cs+ and F+ ions is studied by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, indicating a strong diffusion of the alkaline fluoride into the organic layer stack.

Monolithic hybrid tandem solar cells comprising copper indium gallium diselenide and organic subcells

Combining wide and narrow band gap absorbers in tandem solar cells is a promising approach to improve the energy conversion of sun light. In this work, we present hybrid tandem devices comprising monolithically connected copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) bottom cells and polymer top cells. The thin polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction absorber layers were transferred onto the rough CIGS surface by a soft-contact lamination technique. Sputtered or solution-deposited top cathodes complete the tandem devices with enhanced open circuit voltages.

Solution processed sodium chloride interlayers for efficient electron extraction from polymer solar cells

We investigate a solution-processable, non-toxic sodium chloride (NaCl) interlayer for aluminum cathodes in organic solar cells. The electron extraction at the cathode interface is strongly improved upon the insertion of NaCl leading to power conversion efficiencies of up to 2.9% as compared to 1.8% efficient devices without interlayer. Scanning electron and kelvin probe force microscopy studies reveal that the formation of NaCl crystals causes a decrease of the aluminum work function by more than 300 mV. By impedance spectroscopy, we found evidence that the NaCl crystals improve the energetic alignment at the polymer/metal interface.

Cadmium-free copper indium gallium diselenide hybrid solar cells comprising a 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole buffer layer

Copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells are the most efficient thin film photovoltaic devices today. In this work, we investigate CIGS/organic hybrid solar cells comprising a semi-transparent metal top electrode and a wide band gap organic semiconductor as buffer layer. Depositing the organic semiconductor from solution, we fabricate Cd-free solar cells exhibiting about the same efficiency as their counterparts comprising CdS and significantly higher open-circuit voltages as compared to buffer-free devices. Although the organic molecules do not cover the CIGS surface homogeneously, their use enables prolonged charge carrier lifetimes according to impedance spectroscopy measurements.

Solution-processed electrodes for efficient hybrid copper indium gallium diselenide thin film solar cells

We present copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells incorporating solution-deposited transparent top cathodes. The utilized highly conductive polymer blend and the silver nanowire mesh exhibit excellent transparency in the near-UV region and form pinhole-free, homogeneous layers atop the rough, polycrystalline CIGS absorber as confirmed by means of scanning electron microscopy. We fabricated solar cells with power conversion efficiencies approaching 9% and enhanced open-circuit voltages.

ZnO Nanorod Arrays for Organic Solar Cells

We report on the synthesis and characterization of vapor phase grown zinc oxide nanorod arrays on sputtered aluminum-doped zinc oxide substrates. These arrays can serve as nanostructured electrodes for P3HT:PCBM solar cells, possibly improving their photovoltaic performance.