Vacuum-free processed transparent inverted organic solar cells with spray-coated PEDOT:PSS anode

Spray coating is a high throughput coating technique that is scalable and adaptable for organic photovoltaic manufacturing. To ensure uniform coating of the organic layers, the wettability, surface tension and boiling points of the solvents have to be optimized. Here, we used microscopic videos to understand the dynamics of the spray coating process. By optimizing the wettability and drying time of the PEDOT:PSS suspension on a hydrophobic surface, we attained a spray coated transparent anode without compromising on device performance. We further applied this vacuum-free process to a near infrared absorber to achieve a transparent organic solar cell with close to 60% transparency.

► Fabricated a close to 60% transparent organic solar cell. ► PEDOT:PSS transparent anode was deposited using spray coating. ►Entire device was fabricated using vacuum free processes. ► Studied spray coating dynamics using microscopic video.