Utilizing the unique charge extraction properties of antimony tin oxide nanoparticles for efficient and stable organic photovoltaics

Abstract

Simultaneously enhancing device performance and longevity, as well as balancing the requirements on cost, scalability, and simplification of processing, is the goal of interface engineering of organic solar cells (OSCs). In our work, we strategically introduce antimony (Sb3+) cations into an efficient and generic n-type SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) host during the scalable flame spray pyrolysis synthesis. Accordingly, a significant switch of conduction property from an n-type character to a p-type character is observed, with a corresponding shift in the work function (WF) from 4.01 ± 0.02 eV for pristine SnO2 NPs to 5.28 ± 0.02 eV for SnO2 NPs with 20 mol. % Sb content (ATO). Both pristine SnO2 and ATO NPs with fine-tuned optoelectronic properties exhibit remarkable charge carrier extraction properties, excellent UV resistance and photo-stability being compatible with various state-of-the-art OSCs systems. The reliable and scalable pristine SnO2 and ATO NPs processed by doctor-blading in air demand no complex post-treatment. Our work offers a simple but unique approach to accelerate the development of advanced interfacial materials, which could circumvent the major existing interfacial problems in solution-processed OSCs.