Investigating electrodes degradation in organic photovoltaics through reverse engineering under accelerated humidity lifetime conditions

Exposure to accelerated humidity lifetime conditions has been proved to have detrimental effects on organic photovoltaics (OPV) performance, because of the deterioration of the electrodes of the device rather than the active layer. Normal and inverted OPV devices are investigated in order to identify their main degradation mechanisms under accelerated humidity lifetime conditions. Reverse engineering can be a useful technique to probe main degradation mechanisms of the top electrode of both normal and inverted organic photovoltaic (OPVs). By using reverse engineering methods, we show that the major degradation mechanism of inverted OPVs under accelerated humidity lifetime conditions, is due to PEDOT:PSS hole selective top contact. [Display omitted] •We study electrode degradation mechanisms of OPVs under humidity.•Reverse engineering is a useful tool to identify degradation mechanisms.•Degradation mechanisms for normal and inverted OPVs are discussed.•The major degradation of inverted OPVs under humidity conditions is due to PEDOT:PSS.