Efficient Planar Hybrid n-Si/PEDOT:PSS Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiency up to 13.31% Achieved by Controlling the SiO x Interlayer

Chenxu Zhang, Yuming Zhang, Hui Guo, Qubo Jiang, Peng Dong and Chunfu Zhang
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Chenxu Zhang: Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Technology Disciplines State Key Laboratory, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Yuming Zhang: Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Technology Disciplines State Key Laboratory, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Hui Guo: Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Technology Disciplines State Key Laboratory, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Qubo Jiang: School of Electronic Engineering and Automation, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, No. 1 Jinji Road, Guilin 541004, China
Peng Dong: Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Technology Disciplines State Key Laboratory, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
Chunfu Zhang: Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Technology Disciplines State Key Laboratory, School of Microelectronics, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: In this work, the effects of the SiO x interface layer grown by exposure in air on the performance of planar hybrid n-Si/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solar cells are investigated. Compared to the cell with a hydrogen-terminated Si surface, the cell with an oxygen-terminated Si surface reveals improved characteristics in power conversion efficiency, increased from 10.44% to 13.31%. By introducing the SiO x , the wettability of the Si surface can be improved, allowing an effective spread of the PEDOT:PSS solution and thus a good contact between the PEDOT:PSS film and Si. More importantly, it can change the polarity of the Si surface from a negative dipole to a positive dipole, owing to the introduction of the SiO x interface. The Si energy band will bend up and give rise to a favorable band alignment between Si and PEDOT:PSS to promote carrier separation. These results could be potentially employed to further development of this simple, low-cost heterojunction solar cell.

Keywords: SiO x interface; n-Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cells; surface polarity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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