Study on the Fabrication of PEDOT:PSS/Si Hybrid Solar Cells Incorporated with F4TCNQ and VTMO

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):polystyrenesulfonate (PSS)/Si hybrid heterojunction solar cells (HHSCs) are fabricated by a solution-based synthesis method which combines the advantages of PEDOT:PSS and the superior performance of crystalline silicon. The optimized PEDOT:PSS–2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) hole transport layer (HTL) was used to prepare organosilicon solar cells with a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 33.33 mA/cm2 and a photoelectric conversion efficiency (η) of 13.23%. The HTL films were found to have increased conductivity by the addition of an electron-accepting dopant (F4TCNQ), obtaining well-defined crystallinity and few defects. In addition, an one-step combination of F4TCNQ with a silane coupling agent (vinyltrimethoxysilane, VTMO) was used to improve the textured device, with a notable efficiency of 14.46% and a Jsc of 33.88 mA/cm2. Our study provides an alternative and easy way to establish organic–inorganic hybrid applications with excellent optoelectronic properties and to gain a deeper understanding of organic semiconductors.