Comparison of Hybrid Blends for Solar Cell Application

In blended hybrid systems distinct micro- or nanostructured materials can be formed by phase separation. Network structures of particles or rods in a polymer matrix can be developed via self-assembly. We use this blending approach to compare active materials for application in solar cell devices. Bl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEnergies (Basel) Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 301 - 312
Main Authors Lechmann, Maria C., Koll, Dominik, Kessler, Daniel, Theato, Patrick, Tremel, Wolfgang, Gutmann, Jochen S.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.03.2010
Subjects
ambient condition
Chemistry
Efficiency
Electrolytes
Electronic mail systems
hybrid solar cell
Measurement techniques
Nanostructured materials
P3HT
Polymers
PTPA
Germany
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Summary:In blended hybrid systems distinct micro- or nanostructured materials can be formed by phase separation. Network structures of particles or rods in a polymer matrix can be developed via self-assembly. We use this blending approach to compare active materials for application in solar cell devices. Blends were fabricated from either poly(hexylthiophene) P3HT or poly(triphenylamine) PTPA mixed with nanocrystalline TiO2 rods. In this manner, we compare two different hole conducting polymers in their performance in photovoltaic devices, while experimental conditions are kept identical. We find that the choice of solvent and photovoltaic characterization conducted in inert atmosphere is of importance for blends prepared from P3HT/TiO2 blends, but not for PTPA/TiO2 blends. Even though prepared with the same TiO2 rods, solar cells prepared from PTPA blends showed an enhanced efficiency when measured under ambient conditions. Furthermore, the PTPA/TiO2 showed higher long-term stability.
ISSN:1996-1073
1996-1073
DOI:10.3390/en3030301