Simple synthesis of solution-processable oxygen-enriched graphene as anode buffer layer for efficient organic solar cells

Abstract

Interface material is a must for highly efficient and stable organic solar cells (OSCs) and has become a significant part of OSC research today. Here, low-cost and oxygen functionalized graphene (FG) was synthesized via a simple two-step method for applications in OSCs as anode buffer layer. The FG shows excellent dispersion in aqueous solution and great process compatibility with spin coating process. The introduction of work-function-tunable FG can effectively improve short current density of the devices. The power conversion efficiency of FG-based devices (4.13%, 4.49%, and 7.11% for P3HT:PC61BM, P3HT:PC71BM and PBDTTT-C:PC71BM, respectively) outperforms PEDOT:PSS-based devices (3.67%, 4.17%, and 6.46%, respectively). Moreover, the stability of the devices was improved with FG as anode buffer layer compared to PEDOT:PSS. The results indicate that simple synthesized FG is a promising solution-processed anode buffer layer material for high-efficiency and stable OSCs.