Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes as interfacial modification layers for organic-Si solar cells

•We fabricated s-SWCNTs interface layer by a simple solution “precipitation” method.•We added a layer of s-SWCNTs to increase the compatibility between Si and PEDOT:PSS.•Electrical contact was dramatically improved with addition of s-SWCNTs interlayer.•Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.14% was achieved with an optimized thickness of s-SWCNTs layer.

A semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) interlayer between poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and n-Si was used for high performance organic-Si hybrid photovoltaic (PV) devices. The s-SWCNTs films with different thickness were utilized to investigate the PV effect on PEDOT:PSS/Si device performance. The surface potential of Si substrate with s-SWCNTs was dramatically reduced, which increased the compatibility between Si and PEDOT:PSS. In addition, s-SWCNTs with good semiconducting properties, guaranteed the charge transfer between Si and PEDOT:PSS. Therein, the electrical contact was dramatically improved with addition of s-SWCNTs interlayer, which led to increased fill factor. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.14% was achieved with an optimized thickness of s-SWCNTs layer. The s-SWCNTs interface layer was fabricated by a simple solution processed method, which was easily coupled with organic-Si solar cells to enhance the PCE.

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