Enhancing the Internal Quantum Efficiency and Stability of Organic Solar Cells via Metallic Nanofunnels

Abstract

Metal nanoparticles are demonstrated to boost the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of organic solar cells (OSCs), even without a notable plasmonic optical gain. A hybrid layer platform in combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and a polyethylenimine-ethoxylated (PEIE) layer maximize the IQE of the OSCs to nearly 100%, yielding a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.1% in the OSCs. 2D surface characterization confirmed that the AgNPs provide a short path and funneled charge carriers to the cathode, thus effectively increasing the carrier mobility. Moreover, the hybrid layer doubles the device's half-efficiency lifetime due to the longer retention of the improved mobility. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim