Effect of variations in blend preparation on the properties of P3HT:PCBM blend solar cells

Polymeric solar cells have attracted much attention during the last years due to their lower fabrication cost and possibility of using flexible substrates. However, their efficiency is still less than 5%. Among factors affecting solar cells efficiency, the active layer morphology related to blend preparation and annealing, is one of the most important. In this work we analyze the behavior of solar cells based on P3HT:PCBM blends prepared under different conditions. Basic parameters are extracted from measured characteristics in dark and under illumination. Modeling is used to understand mechanisms involved in the device behavior and during its degradation, when working in ambient conditions.