Efficient multilayer organic solar cells using the optical interference peak

Abstract

A multilayer structure of copper phthalocyanine/poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5- diyl): [6,6]-phenyl- C61 -butyric acid methyl ester (CuPc/P3HT:PCBM) is used to extend the light absorption spectrum covering almost the entire visible spectrum. To maximize the light absorption, the total number of excitons created in the multilayer structure as a function of layer thickness of both CuPc and P3HT:PCBM is simulated by using the optical transfer matrix formalism. The solar cells with a device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CuPc/P3HT:PCBM/Al are fabricated with different layers thicknesses. The optimized solar cell with a high short circuit current density of 12.54 mA cm2 and power conversion efficiency as high as 4.13% is achieved, owing to the utilization of the second optical interference peak in the multilayer structure for the enhanced light absorption. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.