Interface Engineering for High Performance Bulk-Heterojunction Polymeric Solar Cells

Abstract

The nature of electrical contact between the bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) layer and the electrodes is critical to the overall performance and stability of polymer solar cells (PSCs). In recent years, considerable efforts have been devoted to the interface engineering of BHJ-PSCs. In this chapter, we reviewed the development of interface modification materials and their applications in BHJ-PSCs. The discussions were divided into several sections according to the device configuration of BHJ-PSCs, i.e., conventional device, inverted device, and tandem device. For single junction devices (including conventional and inverted devices), we highlighted the interface modification materials which were applied at both electron-collecting and hole-collecting electrodes, including inorganic materials (such as metals, salts, semiconducting oxides, etc.), self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) or SAMs-modified functional layers, and organic/polymeric materials. For tandem devices, the discussions were focused on the functional materials utilized as intermediate connectors. As discussed in this chapter, the development of interface modification materials has resulted in great progress in BHJ-PSCs, which can potentially pave the way for the commercialization of BHJ-PSCs.