Co-planar bi-metallic interdigitated electrode substrate for spin-coated organic solar cells

A bulk heterojunction organic solar cell with co-planar interdigitated electrodes was fabricated and tested. The co-planar electrodes had a separation distance of 1–3 μm and were fabricated from aluminum and nickel on a heavily oxidized silicon wafer using photolithography. The device was prepared by spin-coating MEH-PPV:PCBB in a 1:3 wt ratio with a total donor:acceptor solution concentration of 2.44%. The device demonstrated a strong photovoltaic response under AM1.5 illumination of 80 mW/cm2 with an open circuit voltage of 0.704 V. The co-planar electrode design offers advantages in terms of electrode material selection and reliability as well as simplified device fabrication.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Co-planar bi-metallic interdigitated electrode substrate for spin-coated organic solar cells. ► Co-planar interdigitated electrodes in organic solar cells allow the use of a wider variety of electrode materials. ► Interdigitated structure has an inherent reliability due to the incorporation of multiple junctions for charge collection. ► Device shows no response in dark, but functions with illumination at 3.53×10−4% photovoltaic device efficiency. ► Device efficiency may be increased with narrower electrodes and finer electrode separation.