Enhanced stability in polymer solar cells by controlling the electrode work function via modification of indium tin oxide

• To enhance the work function of ITO and change its surface to hydrophobic, FOTES is introducing as a SAM material.
• A polymer solar cell with FOTES–ITO has decreased RS and increased RSH.
• The JSC, VOC, and FF of the optimized device are 9.2 mA/cm2, 0.63 V and 57.9%, respectively.
• In addition, the air stability of the fabricated device is improved.

To enhance the work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) and make its surface hydrophobic, triethoxy(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-1-octyl)silane (FOTES) was introduced as a self-assembly monolayer (SAM) material. A polymer solar cell has been fabricated with FOTES–ITO, and due to decreased series resistance (RS) and increased shunt resistance (RSH), the short circuit current density (JSC), open circuit voltage (VOC), and fill factor (FF) of the optimized device were 9.2 mA/cm2, 0.63 V and 57.9%, respectively. The calculated power conversion efficiency (PCE) was 3.4%. In addition, the air stability of the fabricated device was improved.

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