Highly Efficient and Stable Organic Solar Cells With SnO2 Electron Transport Layer Enabled by Uv-curing Acrylate Oligomers

Mbilo, Mwende, Ryu, Du Hyeon, Lee, Seungjin, Haris, Muhammad, Mwabora, Julius M., Musembi, Robinson, Lee, Hang Ken, Lee, Sang Kyu, Song, Chang Eun, Shin, Won Suk

ISES Solar World Congress 2025 · Fortaleza, Brazil · 2025-11-03
Published by International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Abstract

This work demonstrates highly efficient and stable inverted organic solar cells (OSCs) using tin oxide (SnO₂) as the electron transport layer (ETL). A major challenge with solution-processed SnO₂ is interfacial defects that reduce device performance and stability. To address this, the SnO₂ surface was modified with ultraviolet (UV)-curable acrylate oligomers (SAR and OCS). The modified devices achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 16.6% (SAR) and 17.0% (OCS), significantly higher than the 13.8% obtained with bare SnO₂. These improvements are attributed to optimized interfacial contact and reduced surface defects, leading to enhanced charge transport and suppressed recombination. Additionally, the modified OSCs exhibited superior light-soaking and thermal stability compared to unmodified devices. This approach highlights the potential of UV cross-linking oligomers as interfacial modifiers for large-area, flexible, and stable OSCs.

Keywords

Organic solar cells, SnO2, Surface defects, Ultraviolet resins, Stability, Cross-linking oligomers.

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