Improved PEDOT:PSS layers as an electrode on cellulose nanofiber substrates for solar cell applications

Uzum A., Komatsu H., Ikuno T.

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, vol.64, no.12, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 64 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.35848/1347-4065/ae28a7
  • Journal Name: JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films were used as model biodegradable substrate for flexible organic solar cells. To form transparent conductive electrodes compatible with CNF, the conductivity of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films was enhanced by two methods: additive doping of a low-conductivity source and a fast drop-spin solvent treatment of a high-conductivity source. The additive process increased conductivity from 3.48 x 10(-4) to 4.57 S cm(-1), while the drop-spin treatment improved it from 360 to 518 S cm(-1). Organic solar cells fabricated on CNF/glass substrates with improved-PEDOT:PSS films exhibited clear photovoltaic response, demonstrating the feasibility of acid-free, vacuum-free processing for CNF-based devices.