Effect of Au nanoparticle doped ZnO buffer layer on efficiency in organic solar cells

Abstract

Although organic solar cells have great potential, there is a need to increase their efficiency values. In this study, ITO/ZnO/P3HT:PCBM/MoO3/Ag structure was used and it was aimed to increase the efficiency by adding different percentages of Au nanoparticles (nps) into the ZnO electron transport layer. According to the best results, adding 10% (V/V) Au into ZnO increased the power conversion efficiency from 2.94% to 3.48%. Thus, efficiency increase of nearly 20% was achieved. The main reason for the increase in efficiency is the increase in current density by utilizing the plasmonic effects of Au nps. While the current density was 8.14 mA/cm2 in the device without Au nps, the 10% Au doping increased to 8.58 mA/cm2 in the device.