Efficiency improvement of polymer solar cells by addition of TiO2 nanoparticles into the active layers

AbstractIn this study, the polymer solar cells based on P3HT/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester 1:1 weight ratio blending were manufactured. TiO2 nanoparticles were added into the P3HT/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blending in order to improve the cell performance. The morphologies of polymer solar cells were improved after adding TiO2 nanoparticles. The effects of thermal annealing on the solar cell as with and without TiO2 nanoparticles addition were studied, respectively. A solar cell with high short circuit current density of 8.44 mA cm−2 was obtained by optimizing the thermal annealing condition and the amount of TiO2 nanoparticles. The efficiency of the photovoltaic device was improved after post-annealing with TiO2 nanoparticles doping in the active layer of the polymer solar cell.