Fabrication and characterization of tetracyanoquinodimethane/phthalocyanine solar cells

Fabrication and characterization of heterojunction solar cells of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)/copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were carried out. The light-induced charge separation with charge transfer was investigated by light-induced current density and optical absorption. In both cases of the TCNQ/CuPc and TCNQ/ZnPc solar cells, the TCNQ thin film worked for strong electron-accepting layer as n-type semiconductor. These behaviors would be originated in charge transfer of excited electron from CuPc and ZnPc to TCNQ. The photovoltaic mechanism was discussed on the basis of the experimental results.

► Heterojunction solar cells of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)/copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were fabricated and characterized.
► The light-induced charge separation with charge transfer was investigated by light-induced current density and optical absorption..
► In both solar cells of TCNQ/CuPc and TCNQ/ZnPc, the TCNQ thin film worked for strong electron-accepting layer.
► These behaviors would be originated in charge transfer of excited electron from CuPc and ZnPc to TCNQ.
► The photovoltaic mechanism was discussed by the experimental results.