Inverted and transparent polymer solar cells prepared with vacuum-free processing

Inverted transparent polymer solar cells were fabricated by sequentially depositing several organic layers from fluids, on ITO/glass substrates. ITO was used as a cathode to collect electrons. The photovoltage of these diodes can be increased by up to 400 mV by inserting a buffer layer of polyethylene oxide between ITO and the active layers, which results in 4-fold enhancement of power conversion efficiency under the illumination of 100 mW/cm(2) simulated AM1.5 solar light. The enhancement of V., is consistent with the work function change between ITO and ITO/PEO measured by photoelectron spectroscopy. Solar cell production without vacuum processing may lower production costs. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.