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Enhanced Photovoltaic Response in Ionically Self-Assembled Monolayer Thin-Film Devices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

Daniela Marciu ,
Michael B. Miller ,
Carrie Kozikowski ,
J. R. Heflin ,
Sung Cho ,
Beth A. Reid ,
Kaori Kuroda ,
Willi Graupner ,
Hong Wang  and
Harry W. Gibson
...Show all authors
Daniela Marciu
Affiliation:
Luna Innovations, Inc., P. O. Box 11704 Blacksburg, VA 24062-1704, U.S.A.
Michael B. Miller
Affiliation:
Luna Innovations, Inc., P. O. Box 11704 Blacksburg, VA 24062-1704, U.S.A.
Carrie Kozikowski
Affiliation:
Luna Innovations, Inc., P. O. Box 11704 Blacksburg, VA 24062-1704, U.S.A.
J. R. Heflin
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0435, U.S.A.
Sung Cho
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0435, U.S.A.
Beth A. Reid
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0435, U.S.A.
Kaori Kuroda
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0435, U.S.A.
Willi Graupner
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0435, U.S.A.
Hong Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0212, U.S.A.
Harry W. Gibson
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0212, U.S.A.
Richey M. Davis
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0211, U.S.A.
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Abstract

We describe detailed studies of ionically self-assembled monolayer (ISAM) photovoltaic (PV) devices incorporating various electron acceptor materials, such as fullerenes and phthalocyanines. Excitons are generated when the conducting polymer is irradiated, and the electron acceptors aid in dissociating the electron/hole pairs before they can radiatively recombine, thus improving the efficiency of the PV process. The ISAM technique allows the deposition of conducting polymer and electron acceptor materials in alternating layers of nanometer-scale thickness. This ensures that every photoexcited electron-hole pair is in proximity to an electron acceptor, thus minimizing electron-hole recombination and increasing the photocurrent. The individual thickness of each monolayer and the interpenetration of adjacent layers can be precisely controlled through the parameters of the electrolyte solutions. Using the ISAM technique, we have demonstrated that it is possible to create ultrathin films (100 nm) of PV material that have enhanced efficiencies.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 708: Symposium BB – Organic Optoelectronic Materials, Processing and Devices , 2001 , BB9.4
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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References

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