Role of ITO and PEDOT:PSS in stability/degradation of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunctions solar cells

Two polymers:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells: [(I) poly[2-methoxy-5-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy)]-1,4-phenylenevinylene (MDMO-PPV): methanofullerene phenyl-C61-butyric-acid-methyl-ester ([60]PCBM) and (II) poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl), highly regioregular (P3HT): [60]PCBM] were studied. tin oxide (ITO) and/or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were/was used as transparent electrode, and lithium fluoride (LiF) was used as buffer layer for aluminium cathode. The role of ITO and PEDOT:PSS on the current–tension characteristics, on open circuit voltage Voc, and on density of short-circuit current Jsc was investigated for the two polymers:PCBM blend solar cells as deposited and after 40 days ageing.