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The effects of the PEDOT:PSS acidity on the performance and stability of P3HT:PCBM-based OSCs

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Abstract

The optical transmittance, electrical conductivity and morphology of PEDOT:PSS treated with ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) have been investigated. Transmittance spectra of spun PEDOT:PSS layers were enhanced slightly as a result NH4OH treatment while surface of the films has exhibited variation in the roughness and an increase in the electrical conductivity. Improvement in the physical properties of PEDOT:PSS is shown to be the key factor in enhancing the power conversion effeciency (PCE) with values as high as 4% associated with high fill factor (FF) of 57%, open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.64 V and larger short circuit current density (JSC) of 11 mA cm−2. Stabiltiy test of the devices has been carried out over a period of 2 months, when a device incorporating PEDOT:PSS with pH ~ 4 as the hole transport layer has shown an improved stability with a degredation in PCE in about 43% whereas JSC has decreased in about 20% compared to a device incorporating pristine PEDOT:PSS with PCE decreased in about 66% and JSC in about 50% over the stated period of test. These effects have been ascribed to the increased acidity of the hole transport layer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, College of Science, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

    Burak Y. Kadem & Raheem G. Kadhim

  2. Department of Mathematics, Missan University, Amarah, Iraq

    Mohammed Al-Hashimi

  3. Department of Engineering of Polymer and Petrochemical Industries, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

    Ali S. Hasan

  4. Material and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

    Yaqub Rahaq & Aseel K. Hassan

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  1. Burak Y. Kadem
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Correspondence to Burak Y. Kadem.

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Kadem, B.Y., Al-Hashimi, M., Hasan, A.S. et al. The effects of the PEDOT:PSS acidity on the performance and stability of P3HT:PCBM-based OSCs. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 19287–19295 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-0055-4

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