Efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells based on D–A copolymers as electron donors and PC70BM as electron acceptor

Two low band gap conjugated polymers P1 (alternating phenylenevinylene containing thiophene and pyrrole rings) and P2 (alternating phenylenevinylene with dithenyl (thienothiadiazole) segments) having optical band gap 1.65 eV and 1.74 eV, respectively, were used as electron donor along with the PC70BM as electron acceptor for the fabrication of bulk heterojunction solar cells. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of BHJ devices based on P1:PC70BM and P2:PC70BM cast from THF solvent is about 2.84% and 2.34%, respectively, which is higher than the BHJ based on PCBM as electron acceptor. We have investigated the effect of mixed (1-chloronaphthalene (CN)/THF) solvent, modification of PEDOT:PSS layer and inserting of TiO2 layer, on the photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cell. We have achieved power conversion efficiency of 5.07% for the polymer solar cells having structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS (modified)/P1:PC70BM (CN/THF cast)/TiO2/Al. The effect of solvent used for spin coating, modification of PEDOT:PSS layer and inclusion of TiO2 layer has been discussed in detail.

► Two low band gap D-A copolymers based on same acceptor unit and different donor units.
► PC70BM as acceptor for bulk heterojunction solar cells.
► Influence of solvent additive on the performance of polymer solar cells.
► Power conversion efficiency of 5.07 % has been achieved.