Efficient polymer-based interpenetrated network photovoltaic cells

Organic solar cells based on an interpenetrated network of conjugated polymer as donor and fullerene derivative as acceptor materials have a great potential for improving efficiency. We fabricated a device based on a composite of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2(')-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene and [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric acid methyl ester. Surface treatment, insertion of interfacial layers, and improvement of the morphology of the active layer significantly increase the photovoltaic performances of the structure. We obtain an open circuit voltage of 0.87 V and short circuit current density of 8.4 mA/cm(2) under 100 mW/cm(2) air-mass 1.5 solar simulator illumination, yielding a 2.9% power conversion efficiency. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.