Performance and stability of P3HT/PCBM bulk heterojunction organic solar cells

Organic photovoltaic cells are promising candidates for large-area, low-cost production of solar cells. However, the low stability in conjunction with their medium performance is one of the major drawbacks in comparison to their inorganic counterparts. In this investigation environmental conditions for degradation of bulk heterojunction P3HT/PCBM solar cells are systematically analyzed over a period of one week. Devices were prepared by spin coating from different compositions of P3HT and PCBM in Chlorobenzene (C{sub 6}H{sub 5}Cl). Performance parameters, efficiency and I-V characteristics were determined in a N{sub 2} glove box showing optimized efficiency for a 1:1 ratio. Degradation behavior in N{sub 2} atmosphere, vacuum and solvent-enriched atmosphere (Chlorobenzene) showed best results for vacuum stored solar cells while for solvent-enriched atmosphere rapid degradation was observed. Remarkable degradation (open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current reduced to 90% and 60% after one week) was also found for N{sub 2} atmosphere of the glove box used for the solar cell production. Residual solvent vapor left dispersed in the atmosphere of the glovebox after the spin coating process is identified as an important parameter of this degradation.