IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

PAPER • OPEN ACCESS Related content

- Influences mass concentration of P3HT
Fabrication of organic solar cells with design blend and PCBM to application of organic solar
cells
P3HT: PCBM variation of mass ratio A. Supriyanto, Maya, E. S. Rosa et al.

- Ambipolar Transport in Field-Effect

Transistors Based on Composite Films of
To cite this article: Agus Supriyanto et al 2016 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 107 012050 Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Fullerene
Derivative
Miho Shibao, Takeomi Morita, Wataru
Takashima et al.

- Highly Efficient Organic Thin-Film Solar

View the article online for updates and enhancements. Cells Based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene)
and Soluble C70 Fullerene Derivative
Toshihiro Yamanari, Tetsuya Taima, Jun
Sakai et al.

Recent citations
- Influence of blend composition and
annealing temperature on optical
properties of organic photovoltaic cell
based on P3HT:PCBM interpenetrating
blend
Z. Abada et al

- Combined parametric optimization of

P3HT: PC70BM films for efficient bulk-
heterojunction solar cells
Hafsa Siddiqui et al

This content was downloaded from IP address 152.32.101.29 on 26/03/2020 at 03:01

10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050

Fabrication of organic solar cells with design blend

P3HT: PCBM variation of mass ratio

Agus Supriyanto1*, Amrina Mustaqim1, Maya Agustin1, Ari H Ramelan1,

Suyitno2, Erlyta Septa Rosa3, Yofentina1, Fahru Nurosyid1
1
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Sebelas
Maret University, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A Kentingan, Surakarta, Indonesia
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sebelas
Maret University, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A Kentingan, Surakarta, Indonesia
3
Research Center for Electronics and Telecommunication Indonesian Institute
of Science (PPET-LIPI), Jl. Sangkuriang - Komplek LIPI Gedung 20, Lt. 4
Bandung 40135, West Java, Indonesia

*E-mail : [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract. Organic solar cells of FTO/PEDOT: PSS/P3HT: PCBM/Al has been

fabricated, and its performance has been tested in dark and under various illumination
of light intensity 1000 W/m2. The active materials used in this study are poly (3-
hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6, 6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM).
P3HT is the donor while PCBM acts as an acceptor. Variation of PCBM and P3HT are
1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5. P3HT: PCBM was mixed by chlorobenzene solvents. The
mixing was done by using the ultrasonic cleaner. The absorbance characterization using
by UV-Visible Spectrometer Lambda 25 instrument and I-V characterization has been
tested using a set of 2602A Keithley instrument. Absorbance characterization shows
that two peaks are formed. The first peak in the range of 300 to 350 nm which is a
range of PCBM and the second peak range from 450 to 600 nm which is a range of
P3HT. As the mass ratio increases, the second peak of P3HT increases while the first
peak does not change. The gap energy estimated by the Tauc method is 2.0 eV. I-V
characterization of the efficiency was obtained. The efficiency of sample 1, 2, 3, 4, and
5 are 5.80x10-2%; 6.46x10-2%; 7.72x10-2%; 8.25x10-2% and 9.81x10-2%, respectively.
The highest value of efficiency was obtained at mass ratio 1:5.

1. Introduction
Important challenges in the field of organic photovoltaic are how to provide a viable alternative
for the energy production at large scale including the development processes for up-scaling the
fabrication of cells to modules [1]. Another benefit of organic polymeric solar cells is it allows
molecular level modification, and the unlimited organic semiconductor materials [2]. The
organic materials also can be extracted from some cultivated plants [2]. Another research on
organic solar cells (OSC), which is being developed, is a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) device. The
BHJ type becomes an option because it has a polymeric active material in a blend, roles as
donor and acceptor [3-5]. Currently, the structure of a P3HT (poly(3-hexylthiophene)): PCBM

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd 1
10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050
(6,6-phenyl-C61butyric acid methyl ester) bulk heterojunction (BHJ) cell, which may be
considered as one of the most standard organic solar cell (OSC) devices.
An active material can work properly if the donor and acceptor have a proper HOMO (High
Occupied Molecular Orbital) and LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied molecular Orbital) [6]. P3HT
(Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and PCBM (Phenyl-C61-Butyric Acid Methyl Ester) polymer has
HOMO 3 eV and 4 eV respectively, facilitating electron transfer from P3HT to PCBM [7].
Poly (3-hexylthiophene) or P3HT polymeric semiconductor has matching criteria as donor
material and acts as a p-type. Poly (3-hexylthiophene) has a molecular weight of 65.5 g/mol
and a high hole mobility of 3.8~3.9x10-4 cm2/Vs [8]. PCBM or C61-ButyricAcid Phenyl-
Methyl Ester is derived from fullerenes. PCBM is typically used as a good acceptor material in
organic solar cells. This causes the PCBM be a material uses in solar cell active ingredient
compared to other fullerene-derived material [9].

2. Experimental procedure
P3HT and PCBM polymer were blended in the mass ratio of PCBM and P3HT (1:1; 1:2; 1:3;
1:4; and 1:5). P3HT and PCBM were mixed with a 1% concentration of chlorobenzene solvent.
A solution of P3HT: PCBM was deposited on glass substrates. This deposition was performed
by spin coater instrument at 2500 rpm angular velocity for 30 seconds [10]. The optical
absorbance of samples were then analyzed by a UV-Vis Spectrometer (Lambda 25 instrument)
with a wavelength ranging from 300-800 nm.
PEDOT: PSS layer was grown on FTO by spin coating method for 20 seconds at 2500 rpm
of angular velocity. The method produces FTO / PEDOT: PSS [11]. The next process was
growing a P3HT: PCBM active material by spin coater as well producing. FTO / PEDOT: PSS
/ P3HT: PCBM. The last process was metallization of Al by evaporator instrument. The organic
solar cell devices were established with the structure of FTO / PEDOT: PSS/P3HT: PCBM/Al.
The absorbance properties of the fabrication layers were then observed.
The current–voltage characteristic in dark at room temperature was analyzed by a 2602A
Keithley instrument high voltage source. The measurement was performed under dark and
under illumination to study the photosensitizing effect in the device. The device was
illuminated by a visible light from xenon light source. The xenon light source was calibrated by
adjusting the light intensity until 1000 W/m2. The intensity was controlled by a solar power
meter, meanwhile, the temperature was measured by the thermocouple. The illuminated cell
area was 10 mm2. The photosensitizing parameters of short circuit current density (Isc) and open
circuit voltage (Voc) were obtained from the intersection axis of current and voltage from the
current-voltage curve under dark and illumination, respectively. Figure 1 shows the structure of
organic solar cells of FTO/PEDOT: PSS/P3HT: PCBM/Al.

Figure 1. The structure of organic solar cells of FTO/PEDOT: PSS/P3HT: PCBM/Al.

3. Results and discussion

Figure 2 shows the absorption spectra of PCBM and P3HT film. The absorption spectra of
PCBM shows that the material has the capability to absorb light at a wavelength of 350 nm,

2
10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050
which is in a UV range. The absorbance of P3HT is in the range of 450 to 600 nm, which is
categorized as a visible light range.

Figure 2. (a) The Absorption Figure 2. (a) The Absorption spectrum of

spectrum of PCBM P3HT

Figure 3 shows the absorption spectra of PCBM and P3HT at various mass ratio (1:1; 1:2;
1:3; 1:4; and 1:5). The first peak is in the absorption region of PCBM and the second peak is in
the absorption region of P3HT. The second peak increases as the increasing of the mass ratio of
P3HT. Meanwhile, the first peak of the five samples has relatively similar intensities. It means
that the addition of P3HT led to increasing the absorbance value of the second peak, which is in
the range of visible light.

Figure 3. The absorbance spectrum of PCBM: P3HT at various

mass ratio

The I-V graph characteristic of organic solar cells was measured under dark and under
illuminated condition using a 2602A Keithley instrument high voltage source. The I-V graph
characteristic was used to determine -Voc, Isc, fill factor (FF) and the efficiency of organic solar
cells. Voc is the voltage at zero current or in an open loop voltage condition. Isc is the current at
zero voltage. The mass ratio of PCBM: P3HT are 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5, therefore, the I-V
graph characteristic of organic solar cells have five conditions. The study of I-V characteristic
of organic solar cells shown in figure 4 used xenon lamp for illumination with the intensity of
1000 W/m2 and measurement area of 10 mm2.
The best ratio of PCBM: P3HT is 1:5. The ratio produced high efficiency can be observed in
figure 4(e). Figure 4(e) -shows the electrons can be produced more from P3HT due to its
properties as an electron donor.

3
10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e)

Figure 4. I-V graph characteristic of organic solar cells PCBM:P3HT with the light
intensity of 1000 W/m2 (a) ratio 1:1 (b) 1:2 (c) 1:3 (d) 1:4 and (e) 1:5

Meanwhile, the I-V curves can not be observed when the solar cell was operated under dark
condition.
The results in figure 4 show that the value of Isc increases, but the value of Voc decreases.
Vmax is the maximum voltage produced by organic solar cells and Imax is the maximum current.
Table 1 shows the I-V properties of organic solar cells characterization. Table 1 shows that the
efficiency of organics solar cells were increased as the mass ratio of PCBM: P3HT. It is due to
the ability of P3HT to be active in the wavelength range of visible light, and producing so more
electrons.

Table 1. I-V characterization of PCBM:P3HT

Ratio Imax (x10-2 mA) Vmax (V) Isc (x10-2 mA) Voc (V) FF Eff (x10-2%)
PCBM:P3HT
1:1 1.75 0.32 0.98 0.34 0.17 5.8
1:2 2.59 0.25 1.00 0.29 0.21 6.4
1:3 5.94 0.13 1.03 0.25 0.32 7.7
1:4 5.14 0.15 1.06 0.24 0.35 8.2
1:5 6.68 0.14 1.07 0.23 0.36 9.8

Figure 5 shows that the values of Isc increases as the ratio of P3HT polymer increasing.
It is due to the absorbance ability of P3HT is at the visible light range. This absorbance

4
10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050
influence on the number of photons, which are absorbed by the organic solar cells. The more
photons absorbed, the more electrons can be generated. This result is in agreement with the
results of the research of Khlyabich (2013) on the donor material.

Mass
Figure 5. Mass ratio comparison graph of PCBM: P3HT to Isc, Voc,
fill factor (FF) and efficiency

Figure 5 shows that the fill factor value increases as the ratio of PCBM: P3HT. Higher fill
factor indicates less recombination between holes and electrons because the transportation of
free charge is running well. In addition, figure 5 also shows that the efficiency increased as the
ratio of PCBM: P3HT increased as well as the value of Isc.

4. Conclusion
The higher ratio of P3HT produces an absorbance peak the range of 450 to 650 nm. Meanwhile,
the first peak (peak of PCBM) is in the range of 300 to 350 nm. The estimates gap energy is
2.0 eV. The highest efficiency is on the ratio of PCBM and P3HT 1: 5, i.e. 9.8x10-2%.

Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge Kemeristek-Dikti Republik Indonesia for financial
support in Penelitian Unggulan Perguruan Tinggi (PUPT 2015) of Sebelas Maret University
(UNS), Indonesia.

References
[1] Medford, A J Lilliedal, M R Jørgensen, M Aarø, D Pakalski, H Fyenbo and J Krebs, F C
2010 Grid-connected polymer solar panels: initial considerations of cost, lifetime, and
practicality, Optics Express 18 (S3) A272–A285.
[2] Wanzhu Cai, Xiong Gong and Yong Cao 2010 Polymer solar cells: Recent development
and possible routes for improvement in the performance. Sol Energ Mat Sol C, 94(2):
114‐127
[3] Scharber M C and Sariciftci N S 2013 Efficiency of Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar
Cells Progress Polymer Science
[4] Nelson J 2011 Polymer:Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells Materials Today, 14,
462-470
[5] Dennler N, Sariciftci S and Brabec C J 2006 Conjugated Polymer-Based Organic Solar
Cellsin Semiconducting Polymers: Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, Vol I Second
Edition edited by G Hadziioannou and G G Malliaras, Weinheim (Wiley-VCH Verlag
GmbH & Co Kga) p 511-512

5
10th Joint Conference on Chemistry IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 107 (2016) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/107/1/012050
[6] Khlyabich P P, Burkhart B, Rudenko A E and Thompson B C 2013 Optimization and
Simplification of Polymere-fullerene Solar Cells Through Polymer and Active Layer
Design Polymer 54, 5267-5298
[7] Stubinger T and Brutting W 2001 Exciton Diffusion and Optical Interference in Organic
Donor-Acceptor Photovoltaic Cells Jpn J App Phys 90 07 3632-3641
[8] Kumar G Li, Z Hong dan Y Yang 2009 High efficiency polymer solar cells with
vertically modulated nanoscale morphology Nanotechnology 5202‐5205
[9] Deboisblanc J 2010 Synthesis and Characterization of P3HT:PCBM Organic Solar Cells.
Thesis: Department of Physics and Astronomy Pomona College
[10] Gupta Anubhav, S Praveen, Kumar Abhishek, Shree Priyanka, Mishra Suchana and
Joseph C M 2012 Preparation & Characterization of P3HTPCBM Organic Solar
Cells. International Journal of Electrical an Electronics Engineering, 1(4), 13-15
[11] Yue S, YanChun H and JianGang, L 2013 Controlling PCBM Aggregation in
P3HT/PCBM Film by a Selective Solvent Vapor Annealing Chinese Science Bulletin
2767-2774