Universality in Intensity Modulated Photocurrent in Bulk-Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells

TL;DR

This study reveals a universal frequency-dependent feature in the photocurrent of bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells, largely unaffected by external conditions, and interprets it through simplified kinetic models.

Contribution

It identifies a universal photocurrent feature in BHJ-PSCs and links it to device parameters using simplified kinetic models.

Findings

Universal local maximum in photocurrent at 5-10 kHz

Feature independent of light intensity, wavelength, temperature, and field

Kinetic models explain the observed frequency dependence

Abstract

We observe a universal feature in the frequency dependence of intensity modulated photocurrent Iph based on studies of a variety of efficient bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ-PSCs). This feature of Iph appears in the form of a local maximum in the 5 kHz < frequency < 10 kHz range and is observed to be largely independent of the external parameters such as modulated light intensity (Lac), wavelength, temperature (T), and external field (EF) over a wide range. Simplistic kinetic models involving carrier generation, recombination and extraction processes are used to interpret the overall essential features of Iph and correlate it to the device parameters.