1 research outputs found
Silane-Capped ZnO Nanoparticles for Use as the Electron Transport Layer in Inverted Organic Solar Cells
Zinc
oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used as electron- transport
layer (ETL) materials in organic solar cells and are considered to
be the candidate with the most potential for ETLs in roll-to-roll
(R2R)-printed photovoltaics. However, the tendency of the nanoparticles
to aggregate reduces the stability of the metal oxide inks and creates
many surface defects, which is a major barrier to its printing application.
With the aim of improving the stability of metal oxide nanoparticle
dispersions and suppressing the formation of surface defects, we prepared
3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)-capped ZnO (ZnO@APTMS) nanoparticles
through surface ligand exchange. The ZnO@APTMS nanoparticles exhibited
excellent dispersibility in ethanol, an environmentally friendly solvent,
and remained stable in air for at least one year without any aggregation.
The capping of the ZnO nanoparticles with APTMS also reduced the number
of surface-adsorbed oxygen defects, improved the charge transfer efficiency,
and suppressed the light-soaking effect. The thickness of the ZnO@APTMS
ETL could reach 100 nm without an obvious decrease in the performance.
Large-area APTMS-modified ZnO films were successfully fabricated through
roll-to-roll microgravure printing and exhibited good performance
in flexible organic solar cells. This work demonstrated the distinct
advantages of this ZnO@APTMS ETL as a potential buffer layer for printed
organic electronics