In this work, the electron transport layer of PBDTTT-C-T/PC70BM polymer solar cells were subjected to UV-ozone treatment, leading to improved cell performances from 6.46% to 8.34%. The solar cell efficiency reached a maximum of 8.34% after an optimal 5 minute UV-ozone treatment, and then decreased if treated for a longer time. To the best of our knowledge, the mechanism behind the effects of UV-ozone treatment on the improvement of charge transport and cell performance is not fully understood. We have developed a fundamental understanding of the UV-ozone treatment mechanism, which explains both the enhancements in charge transport and photovoltaic performance at an optimal treatment time, and also the phenomenon whereby further treatment time leads to a drop in cell efficiency. Transient photocurrent measurements indicated that the cell charge transport times were 1370 ns, 770 ns, 832 ns, 867 ns, and 1150 ns for the 0 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min UV-ozone treatment times, respectively. Therefore the 5 min UV-ozone treatment time led to the shortest transport time and the most efficient charge transport in the cells. The 5 min UV-ozone treated sample exhibited the highest peak intensity (E2) in the Raman spectra of the treated films, at about 437 cm(-1), indicating that it possessed the best wurtzite phase crystallinity of the ZnO films. Further increasing the UV-ozone treatment time from 5 to 20 min induced the formation of p-type defects (e.g. interstitial oxygen atoms), pushing the ZnO Fermi-level further away from the vacuum level, and decreasing the wurtzite crystallinity.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3nr03355d | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Dual-Driven Activation of High-Valence States in Prussian Blue Analogues Via Graphene-Quantum Dots and Ozone-Induced Surface Restructuring for Superior Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst.
Small Methods
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 10607, Taiwan.
Electrochemical water splitting is a pivotal process for sustainable hydrogen energy production, relying on efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, particularly in acidic environments, where both high activity and durability are crucial. Despite the favorable kinetics of platinum (Pt)-based materials, their performance is hindered under harsh conditions, driving the search for alternatives. Due to their unique structural characteristic, Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) emerge as attractive candidates for designing efficient HER electrocatalysts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibacterial activity of polyethylene film by hyperthermal hydrogen induced cross-linking with chitosan quaternary ammonium salt.
Int J Biol Macromol
January 2025
College of Light Industry and Food Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China; Guangdong Provincial Food Green Packaging Engineering Center, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- The study utilized hyperthermal hydrogen-induced cross-linking (HHIC) technology to create a densely cross-linked antibacterial layer of chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (HTCC) on the surface of polyethylene (PE).
- Prior to HHIC treatment, UV-Ozone was employed to enhance the PE surface for better HTCC adhesion, confirmed by FT-IR and XPS analyses.
- The resulting PE-c-HTCC film showed improved surface roughness, significantly reduced water and oxygen permeability, and demonstrated strong antibacterial effectiveness against E. coli and S. aureus, extending the shelf life of fresh beef by two days.
Elucidating the Impact of Buried Interface Engineering on Perovskite Properties and Stability in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.
J Phys Chem Lett
December 2024
Future Photovoltaic Research Center, Global Institute of Future Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Article Synopsis
- - Buried-interface engineering plays a vital role in the production of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), especially in inverted PSCs (IPSCs), enhancing the deposition of perovskite materials by utilizing dewetting agents.
- - The study reveals that using fluorene-based conjugated polyelectrolyte treatments creates unique dendrite-like patterns at the buried interface, which significantly alters the optical properties and mechanical behavior of the perovskite films, such as reducing Young's modulus and hardness.
- - While these dendritic structures initially improve energy conversion efficiency in IPSCs, they negatively impact the long-term stability of the devices, highlighting the need for balanced strategies in buried-interface engineering.
Ethanol Processable Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Hole Transporting Layers Enabled 20.12 % Efficiency Organic Solar Cells.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
January 2025
School of Chemical Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China.
In this study, a high-performance inorganic-organic hybrid hole transporting layer (HTL) was developed using ethanol-soluble alkoxide precursors and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Three metal oxides-vanadium oxide (VO), niobium oxide (NbO), and tantalum oxide (TaO)-were synthesized through successive low-temperature (100 °C) thermal annealing (TA) and UV-ozone (UVO) treatments of their respective precursors: vanadium oxytriethoxide (EtO-V), niobium ethoxide (EtO-Nb), and tantalum ethoxide (EtO-Ta). Among these, the NbO film exhibited excellent transmittance, a high work function, and good conductivity, along with a more compact and uniform structure featuring fewer interfacial defects, which facilitated efficient charge extraction and transport.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFacile Tailor on the Surface of Mo Foil Toward High-Efficient Flexible CZTSSe Solar Cells.
Small Methods
October 2024
Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials and Cell, and Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Optoelectronics Technology, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Article Synopsis
- Flexible CuZnSn(S,Se) (CZTSSe) solar cells are gaining attention for their potential in various applications, but face issues with back interface problems when using Mo foil as a substrate.
- A new method involving substrate polishing and UV-ozone treatment enhances the quality of the CZTSSe film and improves the interface quality, leading to better mechanical stability and efficient carrier collection.
- As a result, the solar cell efficiency increased significantly from 4.94% to 10.32%, while also improving the bending durability of the cell.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!