Enhancing the efficiency of MEH-PPV and PCBM based polymer solar cells via optimization of device configuration and processing conditions

Polymer solar cells were fabricated based on an interpenetrated network of conjugated polymer poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethyl‐hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) (MEH‐PPV) as electron donor and fullerene derivative (6,6)‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as electron acceptor. The photovoltaic performances were strongly dependent on the surface treatment of anode, conductivity of hole‐transporting material, the thickness of MEH‐PPV:PCBM composite film, and the cathode configuration. Best photovoltaic performances were obtained for the solar cell constructed with O2 plasma‐treated anode glass, high conductivity hole‐transporting material PEDOT, photoactive film thickness of 180 nm, and calcium/silver cathode. Open circuit voltage of 0.79 V, short circuit current density of 4.79 mA/cm2, fill factor of 44.4%, and 2.07% power conversion efficiency were obtained for the solar cell under 80 mW/cm2 white light from a halogen lamp. The influences of device fabrication conditions and configuration on the photovoltaic performance of MEH‐PPV:PCBM composite film‐based polymer solar cells were discussed in detail. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1919–1924, 2006