Copper indium sulphide/polymer hybrid solar cells via the metal xanthate route

Gregor Trimmel^a, Christoph Fradler^a, Sebastian Dunst^a, Robert Saf^a, Thomas Rath^a^,^b, Ilse Letofsky-Papst ^c, Ferdinand Hofer^c, Roland Resel^d, Birgit Kunert^d

^aICTM - Insitute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, Graz, 8010, Austria

^bDepartment of Chemistry, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus London, London, United Kingdom

^cInstitute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis, Graz University of Technology, Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz, Austria

^dGraz University of Technology, Institute of Solid State Physics, Petersgasse, 16, Graz, Austria

International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics
Proceedings of International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics 2015 (HOPV15)

Roma, Italy, 2015 May 11th - 13th

Organizer: Filippo De Angelis

Poster, Gregor Trimmel, 231
Publication date: 5th February 2015

Organic/inorganic hybrid solar cells are an interesting type of polymer based solar cells, which combine beneficial properties of inorganic semiconductors with them of polymer based materials, in particular, the easy processability on flexible plastic substrates. In this contribution we present the newest results on our research on copper indium sulphide-polymer hybrid solar cells via the metal xanthate routes toward flexible solar cells and modules. This in-situ preparation route uses tailored metal xanthate precursors to guarantee high solubility in organic solvents and to form the pure metal sulphides at low temperatures. Thus, a common solution of these metal xanthates with the conjugated polymer is coated directly on the transparent electrodes (e.g. ITO, ITO/PEDOT:PSS) and subsequently converted to the corresponding metal sulphides within the polymer matrix using temperatures below 200 °C. Therefore, no capping ligand is needed to stabilize the nanoparticles during the formation. Nevertheless, the usually applied conversion temperatures between 160 to 200 °C are not compatible for processing on low-cost plastic substrates i.e. polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-foils. Here, we show that the process temperatures can be reduced to around 140 °C by adding hexylamine to the coating solution.¹ Hexylamine changes thereby the decomposition pathway of the xanthates. Using this modified route, solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of 2.5% on glass and 1.6% on PET-foils have been obtained. Details on the morphology, optical properties and external quantum efficiencies of the devices will be presented. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the metal xanthate route is also well suited for the fabrication of larger area solar cells and present hybrid solar cell modules on glass as well as on flexible PET substrates. In addition, the lifetime of the prepared solar cells was investigated. After 1000 hours continuous illumination, more than 60% of the initial PCE of encapsulated solar cells is retained.
Schematic reprensation of the modified metal xanthate route to hybrid solar cells. Current-voltage characteristics of solar cells prepared with and without hexylamine (HA) (conversion temperature 140°C)
1) Fradler, C.; Rath, T.; Dunst, S.; Letofsky-Papst, I.; Saf, R.; Kunert, B.; Hofer, F.; Resel, R.; Trimmel G. Flexible Polymer/Copper Indium Sulfide Hybrid Solar Cells and Modules Based on the Metal Xanthate Route and Low Temperature Annealing. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 2014, 124, 117-125

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