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Published on: November 5, 2014
Self-assembled hybrid polymer-TiO2 nanotube array heterojunction solar cells
Karthik Shankar1, Gopal K Mor, Haripriya E Prakasam
1Department of Electrical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|October 26, 2007
Summary
This study developed stable titanium dioxide nanotube films for solar cells. These films, sensitized with a self-assembled polymer, achieved significant power conversion efficiencies in both liquid junction and solid-state devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photovoltaics
Background:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays are promising for solar energy applications.
- Developing stable and efficient sensitizing layers is crucial for photovoltaic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize TiO2 nanotube array films.
- To investigate the self-assembly of a carboxylated polythiophene derivative onto TiO2 nanotubes.
- To evaluate the performance of solar cells utilizing these sensitized nanotube films.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of TiO2 nanotube arrays via anodization of Ti foils.
- Self-assembly of a carboxylated polythiophene derivative onto TiO2 nanotubes.
- Fabrication and testing of backside-illuminated liquid junction and solid-state solar cells.
Main Results:
- Achieved power conversion efficiencies of 2.1% for liquid junction solar cells.
- Demonstrated solid-state solar cells with photocurrent densities up to 2.0 mA cm-2.
- Obtained a photocurrent of 6.5 mA cm-2 for double heterojunction solid-state cells.
- Maximum incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 53% for liquid junction cells.
Conclusions:
- Self-assembled polymer-sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays offer a viable route for efficient solar cell fabrication.
- The developed films exhibit stability and potential for both liquid junction and solid-state photovoltaic applications.
