Poly(3-octylthiophene)/fullerene heterojunction solar cell incorporating carbon nanotubes

Here, we report incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in Poly(3-octylthiophene)/fullerene heterojunction solar cells. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment. Photoelectron spectroscopy study of oxygen plasma treated MWNTs shows surface modification with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Plasma treated MWNTs were combined with Poly(3-octylthiophene) and solar cell was fabricated with the structure Au/P3OT + MWNTs/C60/FTO. Fabricated device shows short circuit current density (Jsc) open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor and conversion efficacy as 0.04 mA/cm2, 0.355 V, 21% and 0.003%. Solar cell fabricated with incorporation of MWNTs shows much better device performance, then that of the device without MWNTs. MWNTs in the polymer composite act as exciton dissociation site and provide efficient hole transportation, and thereby improving device performance.