Application of MEH-PPV/SnO2 bilayer as hybrid solar cell

The applications of conducting organic polymers in combination with semiconductor oxides are promising candidates as active materials for air-stable hybrid electronic applications such as transistors, light emitting diodes or organic photovoltaics. In this work, we report our last results on the application of SnO2 thin films in all solid-state hybrid solar cells. We also compare the results with other five solar cells developed in our laboratories applying MEH-PPV and semiconductor oxides like TiO2, Nb2O5, ZnO, CeO2 or CeO2–TiO2. In this work, SnO2 thin films, obtained from sol–gel solutions, have been applied in HSC in a configuration ITO/SnO2 thin film/MEH-PPV/Ag. The effects of factors, such as UV light, polymer thickness, stabilization in the dark and performance under irradiation conditions, have been investigated. Open circuit voltage and short circuit current values were about −0.45 V and 0.17 mA/cm2, with fill factors around 30%. Photoaction spectra show the activity of the semiconductor oxide below 340 nm and about 490 nm for the polymer. Lifetime behavior of the HSC showed an initial increase in current density reaching a maximum after about 1 h of irradiation. Blocking the UV-wavelength range by the application of a filter showed no significant difference in HSC properties with respect to the sample without UV filter. Comparison with other 5 semiconductor oxides revealed a direct relation between semiconductor oxide applied and Voc from the solar cell.