Polymer Photovoltaic Cells Based on Ultraviolet-Ozone-Treated Vanadium-Doped Indium Oxide Anodes

Polymer photovoltaic (PV) cells based on UV-ozone(UVO)-treated indium vanadium oxide (IVO) anodes are developed. The performance of cells with UVO-treated IVO film anodes without interfacial layers was significantly improved compared with those containing untreated IVO anodes. The origin of the enhancement is investigated by atomic force microscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The results demonstrate that UVO treatment can smooth the IVO surface, and increase the work function of IVO films due to the removal of carbon contamination and a dipole resulting from a surface rich in negatively charged oxygen. UVO-treated IVO films are potential electrode materials for polymer PV cells. (cross-disciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology)