Colloidal crystals as nanostructured templates for organic solar cells

Sarah Berhanu; Martyn A. McLachlan; David W. McComb; Tim S. Jones

doi:10.1117/12.803554

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26 August 2008 Colloidal crystals as nanostructured templates for organic solar cells

Sarah Berhanu, Martyn A. McLachlan, David W. McComb, Tim S. Jones

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Proceedings Volume 7052, Organic Photovoltaics IX; 70521H (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.803554
Event: Photonic Devices + Applications, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We introduce a novel nanostructuring method for bulk heterojunction solar cells which is aimed at overcoming current limitations associated with short exciton diffusion lengths and poor charge transport. By employing a nanosphere templating technique porous interconnected films of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) have been prepared. Subsequent infiltration of the CuPc structures with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) results in the formation of three dimensionally structured nanocomposites, consisting of interpenetrating and interconnected networks. The lengthscale separation in the composite can be engineered to match exciton diffusion lengths and the interconnectivity is compatible with good charge transport. We propose this templating strategy as a widely applicable solution to the continued development of low-cost organic photovoltaics.

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Sarah Berhanu, Martyn A. McLachlan, David W. McComb, and Tim S. Jones "Colloidal crystals as nanostructured templates for organic solar cells", Proc. SPIE 7052, Organic Photovoltaics IX, 70521H (26 August 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.803554

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