Investigation of the s-shape caused by the hole selective layer in bulk heterojunction solar cells

Abstract

A common failure mechanism of organic solar cells is the development of an s-shaped current voltage curve. Herein, we investigated the origin of this degradation mechanism by replacing the commonly used hole selective layer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with a co-evaporated layer of N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N′-bis(phenyl)benzidine (TPD) and Dipyrazino[2,3-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline-2,3,6,7,10,11-hexacarbonitrile (HATCN). By varying the ratio of TPD to HATCN we are able to tune both the mobility and work function of the hole selective layer. Using a combination of field effect mobility measurements, Kelvin-Probe work function measurements, and numerical modeling we demonstrate that a degraded mobility of the hole selective layer leads to a buildup of charge within the device and reduction of fill factor.