Synergistic Effects of Magnetite Nanoparticles in the Hole Transport Layer of Organic PV Cells

Abstract

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are devices that convert solar energy into electrical energy using organic materials. A promising material for improving the efficiency of OPV cells is magnetite, also known as iron oxide (Fe3 O4), which acts as a semiconductor with high electrical conductivity. In this study, Fe3 O4 magnetite nanoparticles were initially synthesized and incorporated into the hole transport layer (HTL) of the OPV, which consists of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), a conductive polymer blend. It is well known that the efficacy of OPV cells is significantly affected by the preparation conditions, including the magnetite content and thickness of the active layer. To investigate the effect of magnetite on OPV cell efficiency, varying amounts of magnetite were added to the organic layer. A comparative analysis was performed between doped PEDOT:PSS (PEDOT:PSS with added magnetite) and pristine PEDOT:PSS (a reference sample without magnetite). Characterization studies were carried out using various techniques such as FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and UV transmittance measurements. These analyzes aimed to gain insight into the structural, morphological and optical properties of doped and undoped layers, providing a deeper understanding of how magnetite affects the performance of OPV cells.