Flash-Lamp Processing of Charge Extraction Layers for Polymer Solar Cells

Thermal annealing (TA) is one of the most used processing techniques for the fabrication of polymer solar cells. The method is not only used to dry solution-processed films but also for improving the electrical conductivity and the optical absorption of the materials after coating as films. Its use is questionable in combination with high throughput manufacturing techniques such as roll-to-roll large-scale production since annealing times of several minutes already put up high demands on oven lengths. Furthermore, the commonly used flexible substrates are not compatible with high processing temperatures. Therefore, there is a need for more rapid treatment techniques, which do not negatively affect the plastic substrate. Herein, it is successfully demonstrated that flash lamp annealing (FLA) can be a valid alternative to TA. The FLA technique is applied at various pulse durations and thus energy doses to PEDOT:PSS and SnO2 films used as charge extraction layers in conventional and inverted solar cells architectures. In combination with PM6:Y6 photoactive layer, the obtained device's performances are comparable or even better than the devices treated with the classical TA on a hotplate. In terms of energy efficiency, the FLA is clearly more efficient than the TA, even at the size of prototypes.

Automated summary

Thermal annealing is a commonly used processing technique for fabricating polymer solar cells, but it has limitations when combined with high throughput manufacturing techniques. Therefore, there is a need for faster treatment techniques that do not negatively affect plastic substrates. Flash lamp annealing is successfully demonstrated as a valid alternative to thermal annealing.