Charge generation and photovoltaic properties of hybrid solar cells based on ZnO and copper phthalocyanines (CuPc)

Photovoltaic properties and charge transfer process within the blend of p-type organic semi conducting copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and inorganic n-type semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle have been determined. The photo-induced electron transfer mechanism in the composite thin film structure is predicted on the basis of its optical absorption behavior, photo-action spectra and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics, supported by current–voltage characteristics in dark and under illumination. An efficient electron transfer between donor (CuPc) and acceptor (ZnO) nanoparticle is explained by analyzing the photo-action spectra of the device and respective quenching of photoluminescence (PL) in composite thin film structure. The increase in photocurrent in composite blend based device is justified in terms of formation of bulk heterojunction between CuPc and ZnO nanoparticles. Also, the subsequent increase in photovoltaic response is ascribed to the formation of interconnecting network in between CuPc and ZnO nanoparticles. Our experimental results supports that photo-generation of charge carriers is induced by the production of excitons and their subsequent dissociation of into free carriers at ZnO–CuPc interface which is spread over the bulk region sandwiched between Al and ITO. Additionally, the optical and electrical properties of the composite blend based device have been discussed in details. The capacitance–voltage characteristics of the device support the formation of bulk heterojunction between CuPc and ZnO nanoparticles.