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Improved Efficiency and Stability of Organic Solar Cells by Interface Modification Using Atomic Layer Deposition of Ultrathin Aluminum Oxide
  • +8
  • Ai Lan,
  • Yiqun Li,
  • Huiwen Zhu,
  • Jintao Zhu,
  • Hong Lu,
  • Hainam Do,
  • Yifan Lv,
  • Yonghua Chen,
  • Zhikuan Chen,
  • Fei Chen,
  • Wei Huang
Ai Lan
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Yiqun Li
Nanjing Tech University Institute of Advanced Materials
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Huiwen Zhu
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Jintao Zhu
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Hong Lu
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Hainam Do
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Yifan Lv
Nanjing Tech University Institute of Advanced Materials

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yonghua Chen
Nanjing Tech University Institute of Advanced Materials
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Zhikuan Chen
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Fei Chen
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Wei Huang
Northwestern Polytechnical University Institute of Flexible Electronics
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Abstract

The interfacial contacts between the electron transporting layers (ETLs) and the photoactive layers are crucial to device performance and stability for OSCs with inverted architecture. Herein, atomic layer deposition (ALD) fabricated ultrathin Al2O3 layers are applied to modify the ETLs/active blends (PM6:BTP-BO-4F) interfaces of OSCs, thus improving device performance. The ALD-Al2O3 thin layers on ZnO significantly improved its surface morphology, which led to the decreased work function of ZnO and reduced recombination losses in devices. The simultaneous increase in open-circuit voltage (), short-circuit current density () and fill factor (FF) were achieved for the OSCs incorporated with ALD-Al2O3 interlayers of a certain thickness, which produced a maximum PCE of 16.61%. Moreover, the ALD-Al2O3 interlayers had significantly enhanced device stability by suppressing degradation of the photoactive layers induced by the photocatalytic activity of ZnO and passivating surface defects of ZnO that may play the role of active sites for the adsorption of oxygen and moisture.
08 Feb 2023Submitted to Energy & Environmental Materials
10 Feb 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Feb 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Feb 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
03 Mar 20231st Revision Received
03 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
03 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
03 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept