Hybrid Polymer Solar Cells from Highly Reactive Diethylzinc: MDMO–PPV versus P3HT

The degradation of poly[2-methoxy-5-(3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy)- p -phenylene vinylene] (MDMO–PPV) during the processing of hybrid organic/inorganic bulk-heterojunction solar cells with zinc oxide (ZnO) from a molecular precursor as acceptor is reported. Upon addition of diethylzinc, the absorption spectrum of MDMO–PPV shifts to the blue, and hole transport through the polymer deteriorates dramatically, indicating a reduction of the conjugation length of the polymer backbone. To prevent polymer degradation through the breaking of trans vinyl bonds, regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is introduced as the electron donor. This system of P3HT and precursor ZnO reveals an unchanged UV–vis absorption profile and zero-field hole mobility with respect to the pristine polymer as well as an improved photovoltaic performance with an estimated power conversion efficiency of 1.4% (AM1.5 global reference spectrum, 1 kW/m 2 ).