Fabrication and characterization of fullerene-based solar cells containing phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine dimers

•Fullerene-based GaPc and GaNc dimer solar cells were fabricated.•The solar cells with inverted structures have high stability in the air.•The solar cells showed a wide optical absorption ranging from 320 nm to 800 nm.•A carrier transport mechanism was discussed based on energy level diagram.

Fullerene-based solar cells with normal and inverted structures containing phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine dimers were fabricated by vacuum evaporation. Power conversion efficiencies were measured under simulated sunlight conditions. Fabricated devices exhibited high stability in air and a wide optical absorption from 320 to 800 nm. A carrier transport mechanism is proposed based on the energy level diagram.