Abstract
Conference Title: 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC) Conference Start Date: 2014, June 8 Conference End Date: 2014, June 13 Conference Location: Denver, CO, USA In this contribution we present an approach to improve organic and hybrid solar cell performance via microplasma-induced surface engineering of silicon nanocrystals (Si-ncs) without using large organic molecules. Surface-engineered Si-ncs were dispersed in aqueous solutions with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and subsequently a hybrid nanocomposite was formed to be used as optical down-converter for blue photons (high energy photons higher ~2.7 eV) into red photons (bellow ~1.8 eV). The integration of the nanocomposite in organic devices enhanced the photocurrent generation under concentrated light and prevented ultra-violet (UV) radiation from reaching the organic active layer, therefore limiting its degradation. In additional devices, Si-ncs at different concentrations were also used in the PTB7:[70]PCBM bulk heterojunction active layer, exhibiting a contribution to carrier generation and exciton dissociation.