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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A two-dimensional finite element simulation model for the bi-layer heterostructure organic photovoltaic (PV) cell, based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and fullerene (C60) in the presence and absence of electron transport layers (ETLs) is presented. The effect of bathocuproine (BCP), tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3), and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as ETLs on short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) is investigated. The Frenkel-Poole mobility model was employed in describing the conduction mechanisms in the active layers. Singlet exciton and Langevin recombination techniques were employed to describe excitonic generation and recombination, respectively. The obtained simulation results demonstrate that the efficiency of PV cells is primarily dependent on the short-circuit current, the absorption capability of the active layers, and the charge collection efficiency at the electrodes. In addition, significant reduction in power conversion efficiency is observed with increasing thickness of the ETL layer. From among the modeled device designs, PV cells containing a 50Å BCP layer result in the best power conversion efficiencies of 2.05%.