Modification of a PEDOT:PSS hole transport layer for printed polymer solar cells

Abstract

Printed polymer solar cells (PSCs) were demonstrated by doctor-blade coating a zinc oxide (ZnO) material, slot-die coating photoactive and PEDOT:PSS materials, and screen-printing a silver (Ag) electrode. To make a PEDOT:PSS film on a hydrophobic photoactive layer, we tried to modify various types of commercial PEDOT:PSSs (Clevios P, N 1005, S 305, AI 4083) with the surfactants Zonyl FS-300 and FS-31 (Capstone® Dupont™). The addition of the FS-31 surfactant successfully reduced the contact angle of PEDOT:PSS on the hydrophobic photoactive layer, and the wetting property was sufficiently developed, even using a slot-die coating method. A relatively thick PEDOT:PSS layer, Clevios P modified by FS-31, prevents the penetration of the Ag ink solvent into the photoactive layer. Accordingly, a power conversion efficiency of 4.06% was attained in the printed PSCs. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.