Nanosphere templated continuous PEDOT:PSS films with low percolation threshold for application in efficient polymer solar cells

ACS Nano. 2012 Sep 25;6(9):7902-9. doi: 10.1021/nn3022926. Epub 2012 Aug 23.

Abstract

Nanometer-sized monodisperse polystyrene nanospheres (PS NS) were designed as an opal template for the formation of three-dimensionally continuous poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films. The resultant films were successfully applied as the anode buffer layer (ABL) to produce highly efficient polymer solar cells (PSCs) with enhanced stability. The conductivity of the PS NS-PEDOT:PSS films was maintained up to ø(PS) = 0.75-0.80, indicating that the formation of continuous PEDOT:PSS films using PS NS templates was successful. To demonstrate the applicability of the PS NS-PEDOT:PSS film for organic electronics, the PS NS-PEDOT:PSS films were used as ABLs in two different PSCs: P3HT:PCBM and P3HT:OXCBA. The photovoltaic performances of both PSCs were maintained up to ø(PS) = 0.8. In particular, the power conversion efficiency of the P3HT:OXCBA PSC with a PS NS-PEDOT:PSS ABL (ø(PS) = 0.8) was greater than 5% and the air stability of the device was significantly enhanced.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Molecular Imprinting / instrumentation*
  • Nanospheres / chemistry*
  • Nanospheres / ultrastructure
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Solar Energy*
  • Thiophenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polystyrenes
  • Thiophenes
  • poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)