Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Improved Performance Using Bathophenanthroline as a Buffer Layer

The role of bathophenanthroline (Bphen) as a buffer layer inserted between fullerene (C60) and Ag cathode in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell was discussed. By introducing Bphen as a buffer layer with thicknes from 0 to 2.5 nm, the power conversion efficiency of the OPV cell based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and C₆₀ was increased from 0.87% to 2.25% under AM 1.5 solar illumination at an intensity of 100 mW/cm², which was higher than that of bathocuproine used as a buffer layer. The photocurrent-voltage characteristics showed that Bphen effectively improves electron transport through C₆₀ layer into Ag electrode and leads to balance charge carrier transport capability. The influence of Bphen thickness on OPV cells was also investigated. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum shows that an additional Bphen layer enhances the light harvest capability of CuPc/C₆₀.