A study on stability of active layer of polymer solar cells: effect of UV–visible light with different conditions

The objective of this study is to investigate the stability of the active layer of polymer solar cells from the effect of UV–visible light irradiation using different conditions with respect to time. The active layers were composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2019-02, Vol.76 (2), p.525-537
Main Authors: Mehmood, Umer, Harrabi, Khalil, Hussein, Ibnelwaleed A., Shanmugam, Nagendiran, Mekki, A., Mekki, M., McLachlan, M. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectroscopy
Butyric acid
Carbon
Chain scission
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Cleavage
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Fourier transforms
Glass substrates
Infrared spectroscopy
Light
Light irradiation
Organic Chemistry
Original Paper
Oxidation
Photoelectrons
Photovoltaic cells
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Sciences
Polymers
Radiation
Soft and Granular Matter
Solar cells
Spectrum analysis
Spin coating
Stability
Sulfur
Ultraviolet radiation
X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
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Summary:The objective of this study is to investigate the stability of the active layer of polymer solar cells from the effect of UV–visible light irradiation using different conditions with respect to time. The active layers were composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), deposited on conductive glass substrates through spin coating. These samples are placed in a UV–visible light exposure chamber using different conditions (heat and water) over the specific periods of time. The samples are analyzed by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. The results indicate that after continuous exposure to UV irradiation for 72 and 120 h, the sample shows a significant decrease in absorption of the main peak. The sample shows around 25% loss in absorption (main peak) after 72 h of irradiation. The FTIR results illustrate a progressive decrease in intensities of all typical absorption peaks owing to P3HT ring scission, side chain oxidation as well as degradation of the side groups of PCBM. Graphical abstract
ISSN:0170-0839
1436-2449
DOI:10.1007/s00289-018-2368-0