Polymer p-i-n Junction Photovoltaic Cells

A new device configuration for photovoltaic cells—the p-i-n junction—is reported. Polymer blends of poly[5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-2-methoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene] and a cyano-substituted poly(phenylenevinylene) are used as the donor–acceptor interpenetrating network and photoactive medium. The method for generating the p-i-n junction and subsequent stabilization in the frozen junction mode is described. A high conversion efficiency is found for this device, the performance of which is not sensitive to the electrode materials or film thickness.