Study on the Fabrication of PEDOT:PSS/Si Hybrid Solar Cells Incorporated with F4TCNQ and VTMO

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):polystyrenesulfonate (PSS)/Si hybrid heterojunction solar cells (HHSCs) are fabricated by a solution based synthesis method which combines the advantages of PEDOT:PSS and the superior performance of crystalline silicon. The optimized PEDOT:PSS-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) hole transport layer (HTL) was used to prepare organosilicon solar cells with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 33.33 mA/cm2 and a photoelectric conversion efficiency (eta) of 13.23%. The HTL films were found to have increased conductivity by the addition of an electron-accepting dopant (F4TCNQ), obtaining well-defined crystallinity and few defects. In addition, an one-step combination of F4TCNQ with a silane coupling agent (vinyltrimethoxysilane, VTMO) was used to improve the textured device, with a notable efficiency of 14.46% and a Jsc of 33.88 mA/cm2. Our study provides an alternative and easy way to establish organic-inorganic hybrid applications with excellent optoelectronic properties and to gain a deeper understanding of organic semiconductors.

Automated summary

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):polystyrenesulfonate (PSS)/Si hybrid heterojunction solar cells (HHSCs) were fabricated using a solution-based synthesis method, combining the advantages of PEDOT:PSS and crystalline silicon. The optimized PEDOT:PSS-F4TCNQ hole transport layer (HTL) resulted in organic-silicon solar cells with a Jsc of 33.33 mA/cm2 and an eta of 13.23%. Addition of the electron-accepting dopant (F4TCNQ) increased the conductivity of the HTL films, leading to improved crystallinity and fewer defects. Furthermore, a one-step combination of F4TCNQ with a silane coupling agent (vinyltrimethoxysilane, VTMO) improved the textured device, achieving an efficiency of 14.46% and a Jsc of 33.88 mA/cm2. This study provides an alternative and easy way to develop organic-inorganic hybrid applications with excellent optoelectronic properties and enhances the understanding of organic semiconductors.