Determining the structural motif of P3HT:PCBM nanoparticulate organic photovoltaic devices

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends are the most studied organic photovoltaic materials system and conventionally are processed into thin films via organic solvent based routes. Recently, the fabrication of OPV devices from water-dispersed nanoparti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy materials and solar cells 2013-03, Vol.110, p.43-48
Main Authors: Ulum, Syahrul, Holmes, Natalie, Darwis, Darmawati, Burke, Kerry, David Kilcoyne, A.L., Zhou, Xiaojing, Belcher, Warwick, Dastoor, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Devices
Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical power engineering
Energy
Equipments, installations and applications
Exact sciences and technology
Morphology
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanoparticle
Nanostructure
Natural energy
OPV
Photoelectric conversion
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
Polymer blends
Solar cells
Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells
Solar energy
Solar paint
Solvents
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Summary:Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends are the most studied organic photovoltaic materials system and conventionally are processed into thin films via organic solvent based routes. Recently, the fabrication of OPV devices from water-dispersed nanoparticulate materials (solar paint) has attracted increasing interest since it offers the potential of morphological control coupled with device processing in the absence of an organic solvent. However, to date the reported efficiencies of nanoparticulate organic photovoltaic (NP-OPV) devices have been disappointingly low, reflecting a lack of understanding of the structural motif. In this letter, we probe directly the structural motif of P3HT:PCBM NP-OPV devices and show how NP morphology determines device function. [Display omitted] ►P3HT:PCBM nanoparticle OPVs were fabricated and characterized. ►Power conversion efficiencies of 1.3% were obtained. ►Nanoparticle structure probed with synchrotron X-ray microscopy. ►Reveals a core–shell structure with a PCBM rich core.
ISSN:0927-0248
1879-3398
DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2012.11.015