Organic Solar Cells Based on WO2.72 Nanowire Anode Buffer Layer with Enhanced Power Conversion Efficiency and Ambient Stability.

Tungsten oxide as an alternative to conventional acidic PEDOT:PSS has attracted much attention in organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the vacuum-processed WO3 layer and high-temperature sol-gel hydrolyzed WOX are incompatible with large-scale manufacturing of OSCs. Here, we report for the first time that a specific tungsten oxide WO2.72 (W18O49) nanowire can function well as the anode buffer layer. The nw-WO2.72 film exhibits a high optical transparency. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OSCs based on three typical polymer active layers PTB7:PC71BM, PTB7-Th:PC71BM, and PDBT-T1:PC71BM with nw-WO2.72 layer were improved significantly from 7.27 to 8.23%, from 8.44 to 9.30%, and from 8.45 to 9.09%, respectively compared to devices with PEDOT:PSS. Moreover, the photovoltaic performance of OSCs based on small molecule p-DTS(FBTTh2)2:PC71BM active layer was also enhanced with the incorporation of nw-WO2.72. The enhanced performance is mainly attributed to the improved short-circuit current density (Jsc), which benefits from the oxygen vacancies and the surface apophyses for better charge extraction. Furthermore, OSCs based on nw-WO2.72 show obviously improved ambient stability compared to devices with PEDOT:PSS layer. The results suggest that nw-WO2.72 is a promising candidate for the anode buffer layer materials in organic solar cells.