Self-doped conducting polyaniline bearing phosphonic acid as a hole transport layer in organic photovoltaics

A self-doped conducting polyaniline was used as a hole transport layer (HTL) in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) [indium tin oxide/HTL/zinc-phthalocyanine/C 70 /bathocuproine/Al]. This polyaniline was characterized by phosphonic acid neutralized with pyridine (PMAP:Py). The current–voltage characteristics were evaluated and were comparable to those of the devices using a conventional hole transport material, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). PMAP:Py-based OPVs stored in both nitrogen and ambient atmosphere had a longer lifetime than PEDOT:PSS-based ones.