Nanocrystal V2O5 thin film as hole-extraction layer in normal architecture organic solar cells

► Crystal V2O5 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrolysis method. ► Conductivity and work function of nanocrystal V2O5 films were studied. ► Comparable performance was achieved for V2O5-P and VOx-S buffered devices. ► V2O5-P buffered device has lower sheet resistance than VOx-S buffered device. ► The applicability of V2O5-P film was demonstrated in Si-PCPDTBT:[70]PCBM devices.