Photoconductivity and photovoltaic properties of polyaniline immobilized onto metallurgical porous silicon powder

Abstract

Photoactive composites comprising polyaniline and metallurgical silicon powder were prepared by an in situ two‐step procedure (pSi‐PANI). Their structures were elucidated by electronic and infrared spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction (P‐XRD) techniques. The P‐XRD revealed that the acid‐doped green composites (pSi‐PANI·HCl and pSi‐PANI·HF) acquire a two‐dimensional crystalline array structure featuring nanosheet morphology. The photoconductivity and photovoltaic (PV) properties of these composites were examined as flexible microscopic films of finely dispersed composites in a dry linseed oil matrix sandwiched between two aluminium electrodes, [Alperforated/pSi‐PANI/Alplate]. The hybrid composites display a thermal voltage in the dark but develop a photocurrent under weak illumination (incandescent lamp, 75.4 µW cm–2). These green composites exhibit enhanced power conversion efficiency (Jsc = 16.7–34.0 μA cm–2, Voc = 0.86–1.21 V, η = 5.2%–11.4%) compared with their undoped blue analogs (Jsc = 1.3–6.1 μA cm–2, Voc = 0.18–1.02 V, η = 0.1%–2.1%). The pSi‐PANI·HCl composite is a promising candidate for the development of a low‐cost, easily processed, flexible PV system that can be scaled up for large‐area indoor applications. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Enhancement of both optical and catalytic activity of copper-decorated porous silicon micro-particles

“…In addition, owing to its high theoretical capacity, it has been recognized as the most attractive and promising anode material for lithiumion batteries, (more than 11 times theoretical capacity of graphite) [13,14]. It has also been reported by Arafa et al [15] that polyaniline immobilized onto metallurgical pSimPs is highly promising for the development of an inexpensive and flexible photovoltaic system. These types of porous micro-particles were prepared via numerous methods, such as electrochemical etching [16,17] (the most familiar method), stain-etching in a hydrofluoric acid-based solution [18,19] and by a metal-assisted chemical etching method [20,21].…”

The influence of the polyaniline coatings on corrosion protection of mild steel in different environments

“…In the few papers, it has been suggested that polyaniline can produced photoelectric effect on inert electrodes [94][95][96][97][98][99]. But, up to now the influence of light on the corrosion of mild steel with the electroconducting polymer coatings has not been investigated.…”