Functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes incorporated polymer/fullerene hybrid photovoltaics

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes are introduced into poly͑3-hexylthiophene͒ and ͓6,6͔ phenyl C 61 butyric acid methyl fullerene, bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices. Utilization of nanotubes requires chemical modifications for compatibility with solution processable photovoltaics. Better dispersions of carbon nanotubes in organic solvents are achieved by acid functionalization of tubes. Pristine and acid treated multiwall carbon nanotubes have been incorporated into the photoactive layer and better results in fill factors of 62% and efficiency of 2.3% are achieved under Air Mass 1.5 Global illumination through the use of acid treated nanotubes.

Highly conductive nanoclustered carbon:nickel films grown by pulsed laser deposition

“…Nanostructured carbon is attracting increasing interest among the research community due to its potential applicability in areas as diverse as electrochemistry, gas sensing, catalysis, energy storage, and photovoltaics [1][2]. While the usefulness of carbon in many of these applications critically depends on its ability to form both sp 2 and sp 3 bonds, the morphology of the material also has an important effect on its overall properties [3].…”

“…While the usefulness of carbon in many of these applications critically depends on its ability to form both sp 2 and sp 3 bonds, the morphology of the material also has an important effect on its overall properties [3].…”

Incorporating semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes as efficient charge extractors in organic solar cells

“…12,13,[17][18][19][20] Some of these studies have used the pristine nanotubes, [17][18][19] whereas others have functionalized the nanotubes with various functional groups. 13,20,21 Most of the previous investigations have focused on randomly dispersing the CNTs within the active layer, whilst some studies have attempted building the bulk heterojunction using nanotube network as a skeleton, 22 and achieving an orderly array of nanotubes that had connectivity to one of the end electrodes. 23 These studies have demonstrated success in varying degrees, but, in general, the efficiency enhancements achieved by using CNTs with 13,20 or without 18,19,22 functionalization were limited.…”

“…13,20,21 Most of the previous investigations have focused on randomly dispersing the CNTs within the active layer, whilst some studies have attempted building the bulk heterojunction using nanotube network as a skeleton, 22 and achieving an orderly array of nanotubes that had connectivity to one of the end electrodes. 23 These studies have demonstrated success in varying degrees, but, in general, the efficiency enhancements achieved by using CNTs with 13,20 or without 18,19,22 functionalization were limited. However, remarkable progress has been made by doping the nanotubes to be either n-type or p-type designating them to behave as either electron extractors or hole extractors.…”

“…Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) 12,13 and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] have been investigated as active layer additives in monolayer devices as acceptors [14][15][16] and in charge extraction limited bulk heterojunction devices. 12,13,[17][18][19][20] Some of these studies have used the pristine nanotubes, [17][18][19] whereas others have functionalized the nanotubes with various functional groups. 13,20,21 Most of the previous investigations have focused on randomly dispersing the CNTs within the active layer, whilst some studies have attempted building the bulk heterojunction using nanotube network as a skeleton, 22 and achieving an orderly array of nanotubes that had connectivity to one of the end electrodes.…”