Insertion of interlayers in efficient polymer-based organic solar cells for control of phase separation

Abstract

To improve the solar cell performance of polymer-based organic solar cells, the control of phase separation in the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layer is important. In the case of a thienothiophene–benzodithiophene-based polymer (PTB7)-based solar cell, 1,8-diiodoctane (DIO) is added into the chlorobenzene solvent. However, it is well known that DIO addition causes degradation in long-term operation. Here, we try to improve the performance of the PTB7-based BHJ solar cell by controlling the phase separation in the BHJ layer through the insertion of an inorganic semiconducting copper iodide (CuI) interlayer between the BHJ layer and indium tin oxide. The power conversion efficiency of the PTB7-based solar cell is improved from 3.5 to 3.9% upon inserting the CuI interlayer without DIO addition.