Improvement of inverted structure organic solar cells by Ar plasma treatment on P3HT:PC61BM active layer

Abstract

In polymer solar cells, contact between layers and morphology of the layer’s surfaces has great and critical effect on performance of the solar cell. In this research, we have modified P3HT:PCBM active layer surface morphology by mild plasma treatment using cold atmospheric pressure Argon plasma jet to fabricate the inverted structure polymer solar cell and have perused its influence by various powers. At first, without plasma treatment measured efficiency of 2.15% was obtained. At the maximum influence of the plasma treatment efficiency of 3.26% was achieved that its improvement was obvious until a certain plasma power. The morphology of active layer surface was observed by atomic force microscope and devices absorption spectrum before and after plasma treatment was measured by spectrophotometer. Characterization of the plasma-induced surface changes will be performed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Maximum improvement of solar cell characters was obtained in the short circuit current that improves from 7.60 to 9.22 mA cm−2.