Conjugated molecule doped polyaniline films as buffer layers in organic solar cells

•Electronically active small conjugated molecules doped polyaniline was deposited.•The deposited polyaniline film showed novel nano-structures morphology on surface.•Energy level distribution of doped polyaniline films can be well tuned.•Polyaniline films can improve optielectric performance of organic solar cells.

Doping of polyaniline (PANI) is of great importance to tune its properties. In this work, we have prepared doped PANI films with electrochemistry method. A conjugated molecule with short chain length, 9-anthracene methyl acid (AMA), was used as the dopant considering its electrically active conjugated structure. Films morphology of doped and undoped PANI samples was researched. The corresponding changes in optical and electrical properties after AMA doping were also discussed. The organic hybrid solar cells with AMA doped PANI films as the anode buffers demonstrated enhanced photovoltaic performance compared to that without buffer layer and that with undoped PANI films. The application of synthesized PANI films in organic solar cells indicates a promising advantage in the flexible photovoltaic devices.

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