Construction of a photovoltaic device by deposition of thin films of the conducting polymer polythiocyanogen

• Published in: Synthetic metals 2004-06, Vol.143 (3), p.283-287
• Main Authors: Perera, V.P.S, Jayaweera, P.V.V, Pitigala, P.K.D.D.P, Bandaranayake, P.K.M, Hastings, G, Perera, A.G.U, Tennakone, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Conducting polymer; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Natural energy; Photovoltaic cell; Photovoltaic conversion; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Polymers and radiations; Polythiocyanogen; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2003.12.018

A method is developed for electro-deposition of thin films of the conducting polymer polythiocyanogen on conducting tin oxide glass or other conducting substrate by anodic discharge of SCN − ions form a solution KSCN in propylene carbonate. Films are found to be highly stable and resistant to heat and chemical action. SEM pictures indicate that the films are uniform and free of pin hole. Band gap and band positions are determined from optical absorption spectra and Mott–Schottky plots, respectively. A photovoltaic cell is constructed by depositing polythiocyanogen on nanocrystalline films of n-TiO 2 followed by p-CuI to form a heterojunction. Photocurrent action spectra shows that light absorption by polythiocyanogen generates the photovoltaic response. Results suggest that polythiocyanogen could find applications in optoelectronic devices.