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Energy transfer-enhanced external power conversion efficiency in blended polymeric thin film solar devices

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Abstract

In this paper, the spectral and electrical properties of a conjugated polymer poly [(9, 9-dioctyl-2, 7-divinylenefluorenylene)-alt-co-(1, 4-phenylene)] (PFO–MEH–PPV) with poly[3-(2-ethyl-isocyanato-octadecanyl) thiophene] (PECOD) in thin films have been studied. First, PFO–MEH–PPV and PECOD were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform respectively for different concentrations. These solutions were deposited on glass substrates to form thin films with different thicknesses. The absorbance and photoluminescence spectra for each individual pure polymer were recorded and contrasted with those for blended conjugated polymer’s films to determine the effect of blending on the absorption and photoluminescence. Finally, we present a study on the processing and characterization of organic solar cells fabricated by spin coating pure PFO–MEH–PPV, PECOD and their blend as the organic active layer onto indium tin oxide layer (150 nm), followed by the evaporation of silver cathode (110 nm). The current–voltage characteristics of these cells were determined and external quantum efficiency. Upon blending the two polymers in solid forms, it could be seen that the efficiency (6.25%) for the cells based on a blend layer is higher than the ones without blending (4.4%). Finally, we demonstrated here that the combination/blending of conjugated polymers has resulted in optimized solar device function, with reasonably quantum efficiency higher than 10%.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by King Saud University, Deanship of Scientific Research, Research Chairs. We thank Professor Munir H. Nayfeh at the University of Illinois for reading the manuscript and his valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, P.O. Box 90950, Riyadh, 11623, Saudi Arabia

    Nazir Mustapha

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamad S. AlSalhi & Saradh Prasad

  3. Research Chair on Laser Diagnosis of Cancers, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamad S. AlSalhi & Saradh Prasad

Authors
  1. Nazir Mustapha
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  2. Mohamad S. AlSalhi
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  3. Saradh Prasad
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Contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. The idea was proposed by NM who was responsible for writing the draft of the manuscript. SP and MA carried out the experimental work, analysis and discussion of the results. Authors MA and SP reviewed the existing literature and placed the research objectives in perspective. All authors managed the reading, editing and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nazir Mustapha.

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Mustapha, N., AlSalhi, M.S. & Prasad, S. Energy transfer-enhanced external power conversion efficiency in blended polymeric thin film solar devices. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 30, 7840–7849 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-01103-8

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