Using a low temperature crystallization process to prepare anatase TiO2 buffer layers for air-stable inverted polymer solar cells

In this study, we fabricated inverted polymer solar cells featuring titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the electron collection layer and vanadium (v) oxide (V2O5) as the hole collection layer. TiO 2 films (anatase phase) were prepared by combining electrochemical deposition with high-pressure crystallization. The low temperature process used to obtain the TiO2 films minimized interdiffusion of Ti and In species between the TiO2 and ITO films and maintained the conductivity of the indium tin oxide substrate. The inverted device reached a power conversion efficiency of 3.22% and exhibited much better stability under ambient conditions relative to that of the corresponding conventional device. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.