A one-step process for localized surface texturing and conductivity enhancement in organic solar cells

A process that improves organic solar cell local morphology and geometry is presented. Strong electric field gradients and current densities, generated by voltages locally applied between a conducting atomic force microscope tip and the device surface, induce enhanced conductivity and raise geometrical texturing features in solar cells formed from poly (3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester blends. These results may open paths to organic solar cell efficiency enhancements through a single step process that simultaneously textures the surface for increased light trapping and enhances charge extraction.