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Effect of Copper Sulfide nanocrystals in a Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Titania solar cell

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2013

Priscilla V. Quintana-Ramírez  and
M. C. Arenas
Priscilla V. Quintana-Ramírez
Affiliation:
Posgrado en Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales, Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología, Avanzada (CFATA), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro 76230, México.
M. C. Arenas*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ingeniería Molecular de Materiales, CFATA, UNAM, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, Querétaro 76230, México.
*
*Corresponding author: mcaa@fata.unam.mx, Phone: +52- 44 22381173 ext. 132, +52 55 5623 4173 ext. 132
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Abstract

Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Titania (P3HT/TiO2) heterojunction has been widely studied in the field of hybrid solar cells. Usually, organic dyes shift the neat TiO2 absorption edge toward the visible range improving the conversion efficiency or/and the TiO2 surface is modified with ligands in order to increase the electron transport. On the other hand, copper sulfide, non-toxic semiconductor, has been included in bulk organic P3HT based solar cell, increasing the photocurrent density of devices. Therefore, we propose the use of copper sulfide in the hybrid TiO2/P3HT heterojunction to determine its effect in the performance of TiO2/P3HT solar cell. Copper sulfide nanocrystals (CuxS) were synthesized at 230 °C, 240 °C and 260 °C and, they were mixed with P3HT in order to form P3HT:CuxS bulk heterojunctions. Scattered grains and irregular morphology in the final topography of the reference device (P3HT/TiO2 heterojunction) were observed by AFM, while a granular morphology and a few pores like craters were observed in the devices containing P3HT:CuxS bulk heterojunctions. Chalcocite phase (Cu2S) was obtained at 230 and 240°C and, digenite (Cu1.8S) phase at 260°C, both copper sulfide phases are very promising for solar cells. Despite this, poor rectifications in the devices were found in the current-voltage curves of the devices containing copper sulfide nanocrystals in contrast to the P3HT/TiO2 cell (device without nanocrystals), it could be due to the current leakage or recombination process in the copper sulfide/TiO2 interface. It suggests future work in order to improve the devices.

Keywords

deviceselectrical propertiesmorphology
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1537: Symposium B – Organic and Hybrid Photovoltaic Materials and Devices , 2013 , mrss13-1537-b06-49
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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