The Open Physical Chemistry Journal

2010, 4 : 1-3
Published online 2010 January 09. DOI: 10.2174/1874067701004010001
Publisher ID: TOPCJ-4-1

Polymer Solar Cells with Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composite Hole-Collecting Buffer Layers

Inhyuk Lee , Seungsoo Lee , Hwajeong Kim , Hyunjeong Lee and Youngkyoo Kim
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Uppal Road, Hyderabad.

ABSTRACT

We report the performance of polythiophene/fullerene solar cells with a hole-collecting buffer layer that was made using composite films of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT) and poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiphene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The MWCNT was functionalized with carboxyl groups to bestow solubility in a weak base solvent for mixing with PEDOT:PSS. Results showed that the optical transmittance of the PEDOT:PSS/f-MWCNT composite layer coated substrate sample was slightly improved in some parts of visible and infrared regions. The polymer solar cells with the PEDOT:PSS/f-MWCNT buffer layer exhibited improved short circuit current density but other parameters became poorer than those of control device.

Keywords:

Polymer solar cells, polythiophene, buffer layer, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube.