Improvement of power conversion efficiencies in Cr2O3-nanoparticle-embedded polymer solar cells

Abstract

We find that the doping of Cr2O3 nanoparticles into organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells leads to the power conversion efficiency improvements of 15.9%-22.8%, which are larger than or comparable to those obtained using other metal oxide nanostructures in previous studies. The light absorptions at long-wavelength regions and the electron mobilities are enhanced; these enhancement increased the short-circuit current and fill factor. The increased shunt resistance suggests that the hole leakage current may be suppressed. This suppression subsequently enhances the fill factor. Thus, the incorporation of Cr2O3 nanoparticles is a simple and efficient technique for improving bulk-heterojunction devices. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.