Hybrid P3HT: PCBM/GaN nanowire/Si cascade heterojunction for photovoltaic application

Abstract

Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are commonly used for the fabrication of organic photovoltaics (OPV). Efficiency limitations of OPVs could be circumvented by incorporation of inorganic nanostructures into organic blends. Again, integration of organic solar cells with well-developed silicon photovoltaic technology is ultimately desirable. In the present work, GaN nanowires with diameters of 25-50 nm and two lengths (200 and 500 nm) have been grown using molecular beam epitaxy technique. Solar-grade monocrystalline silicon wafers were used as substrates for nanowire synthesis. GaN nanostructures were incorporated into P3HT:PCBM photoactive layer in order to facilitate charge transfer between P3HT:PCBM and Si. Samples with and without nanowires were compared. Addition of nanowires led to the improvement in photovoltaic performance. Open circuit voltage has risen by 72% and short circuit current density by 200%. Series resistance has decreased 50 times, and power conversion efficiency has risen 20.7 times. Additional maxima are found in photocurrent spectrum corresponding to carriers being generated near GaN absorption edge. Moreover, external quantum efficiency peaks near GaN absorption edge, indicating the formation of current transfer channel via P3HT/GaN/Si cascade heterojunction. Mechanism explaining source of abovementioned improvement is proposed.

Recent Progress in Gas Sensors Based on P3HT Polymer Field-Effect Transistors

“…The authors conclude that this strategy holds the potential to significantly enhance the overall performance of PFET-based sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, Sadowski et al [53] blended P3HT with phe-…”

“…The authors conclude that this strategy holds the potential to significantly enhance the overall performance of PFET-based sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Moreover, Sadowski et al [53] blended P3HT with phenylC61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) at a specific concentration ratio to fabricate nanowires ranging from 200 to 500 nm in length (in Figure 5c). This strategic combination notably enhanced the sensing attributes of the device.…”

Exploring fullerene derivatives for optoelectronic applications: synthesis and characterization study

“…Notably, the phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) 17 is employed in a variety of applications, including organic solar cells [18][19][20][21] and perovskite or inverted perovskite solar cells. [22][23][24][25] When applied as ETLs in inverted perovskite solar cells, fullerene derivatives offer numerous advantages. These include improved electron transport, seamless compatibility with perovskite materials, and reduced hysteresis effects.…”

“…Notably, the phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) 17 is employed in a variety of applications, including organic solar cells 18–21 and perovskite or inverted perovskite solar cells. 22–25…”

Fullerene derivatives with oligoethylene–glycol side chains: an investigation on the origin of their outstanding transport properties

“…At that point, fullerenes became a common building block of many types of devices, one of the most popular being the phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) derivative, 2 not only together with other organic compounds like in organic solar cells, 3,4 but also used on top of silicon and GaAs. [5][6][7] Nowadays, while being still very popular in organic solar cells together with the new generation of organic acceptors called non-fullerene acceptors, 8 fullerenes have also found a large space in metal halide perovskite solar cells as electron-transport layers and passivating agents. 9 Furthermore, they are key in organic thermoelectrics 10,11 and have been investigated for medical applications.…”