Efficient inverted polymer solar cells based on surface modified FTO transparent electrodes

Abstract

Nano-textured transparent electrodes are commonly used to receive higher light absorption in inverted polymer solar cells (IPSC). However, the performance of the device is often restricted by the highly rough morphology of the textured transparent electrode. In this work, a Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) interlayer was inserted as a surface modifier in IPSCs based on a fluorine-doped SnO2 electrode (FTO). The inserted layer facilitates electron extraction due to improved interface morphology of the AZO electron transport layer (ETL). This enhancement resulted in an approximately 63% increase in power conversion efficiency from 2.52% to 4.14% of IPSCs based on the FTO electrode compared to solar cells without PVP layer.