V2O5–Sn mesh electrode system for inverted polymer solar cells

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2022-04, Vol.33 (11), p.8460-8466
• Main Authors: Kovendhan, M., Fernandes, Jean Maria, Babu, K. Sowri, Reddy, N. Purushotham, Muniramaiah, R., Joseph, D. Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carrier density; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrodes; Energy conversion efficiency; Materials Science; Optical and Electronic Materials; Photovoltaic cells; Polymers; Solar cells; Thickness; Vanadium pentoxide
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-021-06342-2

The viability of V 2 O 5 –Sn bilayer mesh film on ITO as an electrode system for inverted polymer solar cell (IPSC) is investigated. The metallic ‘Sn’ is expected to act as a plasmonic layer, enhancing the electron collecting ability of V 2 O 5 . X-ray diffraction peaks are indexed to ITO, Sn and V 2 O 5 . The direct bandgap of V 2 O 5 –Sn bilayer mesh film is estimated to be 2.80 eV. In the deposited V 2 O 5 –Sn mesh pattern, isolated globule morphology of ‘Sn’ is observed. The V 2 O 5 –Sn electrode shows improved values of carrier concentration (1.789 × 10 19  cm −3 ) conductivity (1.218 × 10 2  S cm −1 ) and mobility (42.51 cm 2 V −1  s −1 ) compared to that of standard ITO electrode. Power conversion efficiency of 0.63% for the IPSC fabricated using V 2 O 5 –Sn electrode is three times higher than the efficiency using Ta:V 2 O 5 electrode. This patterned electrode system has scope for further improvement by varying the mesh size and fine tuning Sn layer thickness below its skin depth.