ITO-free flexible organic solar cells with printed current collecting grids

The presence of a transparent conductive electrode such as indium tin oxide (ITO) limits the reliability and cost price of organic photovoltaic devices as it is brittle and expensive. Moreover, the relative high sheet resistance of an ITO electrode on flexible substrates limits the maximum width of a single cell. We have developed an alternative ITO-free transparent anode, based on solution processed high conductive PEDOT:PSS in combination with a printed current collecting grid. The screen printed silver grid demonstrates a typical sheet resistance of 1 Ω/□ with 6.4–8% surface coverage. The efficiency of a flexible device with an active area of 4 cm2 with such a grid is much higher than a similar device based on ITO. Furthermore, as this composite anode is solution-processed, it is a step forward towards low-cost large area processing.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► ITO-free organic solar cells.
► Composite anode for conventional solar cells.
► Printed silver current collecting grids and high conductive PEDOT:PSS.
► Grids embedded into the barrier.
► Improved efficiency.