This is a study of hybrid photovoltaic devices based on TiO 2 nanorods and poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV). We use TiO 2 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 TiO 2 nanorods between the MEH-PPV:TiO 2 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 TiO 2 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.

The mechanisms of photoinduced charge transfer in composites of TiO 2 nanorods with a conjugated polymer (poly(2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl)(hexyloxy) 1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) have been investigated by steady-state, time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. Efficient charge separation takes place at the TiO 2-nanorod/polymer interfaces when the polymer is excited, leading to quenching of the photoluminescence efficiency η and shortening of the measured lifetime τ PL. In addition, the low-temperature absorption and photoluminescence spectra show that the inclusion of TiO 2 nanorods in polymer can reduce disorder in conformation and enhance conjugation in the polymer chain. A photovoltaic solar cell device based on the MEH-PPV/TiO 2-nanorod composite material is also presented, which shows a two order increase in short-circuit current J SC compared to that based on the pristine MEH-PPV.

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The charge recombination rate in poly(3-hexyl thiophene)/TiO(2) nanorod solar cells is demonstrated to correlate to the morphology of the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) and the interfacial properties between poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) and TiO(2). The recombination resistance is obtained in P3HT/TiO(2) nanorod devices by impedance spectroscopy. Surface morphology and phase separation of the bulk heterojunction are characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface charge of bulk heterojunction is investigated by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Lower charge recombination rate and lifetime have been observed for the charge carriers in appropriate heterostructures of hybrid P3HT/TiO(2) nanorod processed via high boiling point solvent and made of high molecular weight P3HT. Additionally, through surface modification on TiO(2) nan,orod, decreased recombination rate and longer charge carrier lifetime are obtained owing to creation of a barrier between the donor phases (P3HT) and the acceptor phases (TiO(2)). The effect of the film morphology of hybrid and interfacial properties on charge carrier recombination finally leads to different outcome of photovoltaic I-V characteristics. The BHJ fabricated from dye-modified TiO(2) blended with P3HT exhibits 2.6 times increase in power conversion efficiency due to the decrease of recombination rate by almost 2 orders of magnitude as compared with the BHJ made with unmodified TiO(2). In addition, the interface heterostructure, charge lifetime, and device efficiency of P3HT/TiO(2) nanorod solar cells are correlated.