Enhancing photovoltaic response of organic solar cells using a crystalline molecular template

We demonstrate that a crystalline pentacene molecular templating layer considerably changes the morphology of the subsequently deposited lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) layer, resulting in an improved crystallinity at the early stages of growth of the PbPc film and a higher content of the triclinic phase. For bilayer PbPc (20 nm)/C60 (40 nm) organic solar cells with or without the pentacene templating layer, the use of the pentacene templating layer leads to a 48% enhancement in the short-circuit current without noticeably affecting the solar cell open-circuit voltage or fill factor. A copper or zinc phthalocyanine molecular templating layer also leads to enhanced photovoltaic response from the PbPc/C60 cells, though less significant than the pentacene template. The improved device performance originates from stronger absorption by the triclinic PbPc phase in the near infrared and the enhanced internal quantum efficiency over the entire spectrum where PbPc absorbs.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Nucleation and growth of PbPc films is significantly modified by molecular templates. ► Higher content of infrared absorbing PbPc phase is obtained with pentacene template. ► A 40–50% higher PbPc/C60 cell efficiency is obtained with a pentacene template.