A new encapsulation solution for flexible organic solar cells

We report herein a shelf lifetime study of poly(2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene) (MDMO-PPV): 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl) propyl-l-phenyl[6,6]C-61 (PCBM) solar cells encapsulated in a new flexible and transparent poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN)-based ultra-high barrier material entirely fabricated by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). We have found in this preliminary work that the encapsulation raises the shelf lifetime (50% of the initial efficiency) of 30 x 57 mm(2) solar cells from a few hours into the range beyond 3000 h, or more than four months. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.