Solid fi lms of a water-soluble dicationic perylene diimide salt, perylene bis(2ethyltrimethylammonium hydroxide imide), Petma + OH − , are strongly doped n-type by dehydration and reversibly de-doped by hydration. The hydrated fi lms consist almost entirely of the neutral perylene diimide, PDI, while the dehydrated fi lms contain ∼ 50% PDI anions. The conductivity increases by fi ve orders of magnitude upon dehydration, probably limited by fi lm roughness, while the work function decreases by 0.74 V, consistent with an n-type doping density increase of ∼ 12 orders of magnitude. Remarkably, the PDI anions are stable in dry air up to 120 ° C. The work function of the doped fi lm, ϕ (3.96 V vs. vacuum), is unusually negative for an O 2 -stable contact. Petma + OH − is also characterized as an interfacial layer, IFL, in two different types of organic photovoltaic cells. Results are comparable to state of the art cesium carbonate IFLs, but may improve if fi lm morphology can be better controlled. The fi lms are stable and reversible over many months in air and light. The mechanism of this unusual self-doping process may involve the change in relative potentials of the ions in the fi lm caused by their deshielding and compaction as water is removed, leading to charge transfer when dry. 456 www.MaterialsViews.com www.advenergymat.de