A large interconnecting network within hybrid MEH-PPV/TiO2 nanorod photovoltaic devices

• Published in: Nanotechnology Vol. 17; no. 21; pp. 5387 - 5392
• Main Authors: Zeng, Tsung-Wei, Lin, Yun-Yue, Lo, Hsi-Hsing, Chen, Chun-Wei, Chen, Cheng-Hsuan, Liou, Sz-Chian, Huang, Hong-Yun, Su, Wei-Fang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 14.11.2006
• ISSN: 0957-4484; 1361-6528
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/17/21/017

This is a study of hybrid photovoltaic devices based on TiO2 nanorods and poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV). We use TiO2 nanorods as the electron acceptors and conduction pathways. Here we describe how to develop a large interconnecting network within the photovoltaic device fabricated by inserting a layer of TiO2 nanorods between the MEH-PPV:TiO2 nanorod hybrid active layer and the aluminium electrode. The formation of a large interconnecting network provides better connectivity to the electrode, leading to a 2.5-fold improvement in external quantum efficiency as compared to the reference device without the TiO2 nanorod layer. A power conversion efficiency of 2.2% under illumination at 565 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency of 24% at 430 nm are achieved. A power conversion efficiency of 0.49% is obtained under Air Mass 1.5 illumination.