Self-assembled multilayers of modified ITO in polymer solar cells by soft-imprinting

Abstract

Optimized performances of polymer solar cells has been of magnificent interest in recent years. A variety of approaches have been reported to alter or replace the polymer buffer layers in solar device structures. In this present work, surface modification of indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated substrates through the use of self-assembled multilayers by the soft-imprinting method has been applied to adjust the anode work function and device performance in polymer solar cells based on a P3HT:PCBM heterojunction. The efficiency and morphology of the solar device with CF₃-terminal group materials as a buffer layer have been measured and investigated. These results demonstrate that the soft-imprinting method is an effective and rapid procedure that enhances the quality of polymer solar cells and indicates potential implications for other organic devices containing an interface between a blended organic active layer and an electrode layer.