Bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic based on polythiophene–polyelectrolyte carbon nanotube composites

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells Vol. 91; no. 15; pp. 1478 - 1482
• Main Authors: Reyes-Reyes, M., López-Sandoval, R., Liu, J., Carroll, D.L.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 22.09.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon nanotubes; Conjugated polymers; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; Organic solar cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Carbon nanotubes; Organic solar cells; Conjugated polymers; Nanotube; Photovoltaic system; Mobility; Polymer films; Carbon; Thin film; Solar cell; Polyelectrolyte; Conjugated polymer; Fullerenes; Thiophene polymer; Comparative study; Heterojunction
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2007.04.023

It is shown that carbon nanotubes can be used to enhance carrier mobility for efficient removal of the charges in thin film polymer-conjugated/fullerene photovoltaic devices. The fabricated photovoltaic devices consist of poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) polymer blended with undoped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and carbon nanotubes doped with nitrogen (CNx-MWNTs). Nanophase formation and dispersion problems associated with the use of carbon nanotubes in polymer devices were addressed through the generation of functional groups and electrostatic attaching of the polyelectrolyte poly(dimethyldiallylamine) chloride (PDDA) in both MWNTs and CNx-MWNT systems. The resultant nanophase was highly dispersed allowing for excellent bulk heterojunction formation. Our results indicate that CNx-MWNTs enhance the efficiency of P3OT solar cells in comparison with MWNTs.