Effect of electric field on the spray deposited poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) layer and its use in organic solar cell

Spray process under different applied voltages (0V to 700 V) is used for the deposition of poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hole transport layer (HTL). The deposition of PEDOT: PSS film by spray process under the effect of electric field results in smoother film morphology, increase in conductivity and reduction in the sheet resistance. The improvement in surface morphology and conductivity enhancement of PEDOT: PSS films are the key to the improvement in the J-V characteristics of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al solar cell structures. The XPS peak height for PEDOT at 164.4 eV increased by 47% and that for PSS at 169.0 eV decreased by 30%, showing that the enhancement in the conductivity of the films deposited under electric field is due to the change in the PEDOT: PSS ratio. The organic solar cell using the electric field (created using 700 V) assisted spray deposited PEDOT: PSS film exhibit 42% and 69% improvement in the short circuit current density(J(sc)) and power conversion efficiency, respectively, in comparison to the cells having PEDOT: PSS films deposited without the electric field. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.