A work-function tunable polyelectrolyte complex (PEI:PSS) as a cathode interfacial layer for inverted organic solar cells

High-efficiency inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) with a polyelectrolyte complex, polyethylenimine: poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEI:PSS), as the cathode interfacial layer for efficient electron extraction are demonstrated. By introducing the negatively charged PSS- as the counter ions into PEI, the imine protonation could be tuned, leading to tunable work-function of the PEI: PSS coated ITO. The incorporation of PSS in PEI enhances the photocurrent and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices, due to an improved electron extraction at the PEI: PSS-active-layer interfaces. Furthermore, a TiOx-PEI: PSS combined interfacial layer further enhances the cell performance and eliminates the need for light-soaking treatment for TiOx, owing to the improved hole-blocking and surface-state passivation in the interfacial layer. The achieved high cell performance, better stability, low-cost materials, and low-temperature solution processes of the TiOx-PEI: PSS interfacial layers demonstrate a promising cathode configuration for realizing efficient and long lifetime PSCs.