Transient characteristics of inverted polymer solar cells using titaniumoxide interlayers

Organic bulk heterojunction solar cells using titania interlayers as electron selective layers prepared by atomic layer deposition or wet processing are reported. Pristine devices show low filling factors (FFs) and consequently low efficiencies. Upon illumination with ultraviolet (UV) light, a significant increase in the FF is found. We study the impact of various ambient conditions (air, vacuum, and oxygen) on the dynamics of the decay of the FF after UV illumination. The interaction of oxygen and titania is evidenced as the dominant mechanism for the transient behavior of the polymer solar cells. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3455108]