Increasing the efficiency of organic solar cells by using a bulk electron transport layer of PFN and green synthesized AgNs.

Graphical abstract Highlights • AgNs have been synthesized by a green method to improve charge transport in an OSC. • PFN:AgNs mix was used as electron transport layer. • PCE increases due to the use of AgNs. Abstract Low power conversion efficiency represents the main drawback of organic solar cells (OSC) compared to inorganic devices. Therefore, a novel bulk electron transport layer of silver nanostructures (AgNs) inside poly[(9,9-bis(3′-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)] is proposed to be used in OSC. Different concentrations (i.e. 5 and 10% v/v) of AgNs synthesized with a natural extract of Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul as reducing agent were used to improve the performance of the photovoltaic devices. Due to the presence of AgNs, which promote better charge transport, an improvement from 7.04 to 32.16% of the overall performance of the OSC was observed compared to the reference device without nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]