Polymer photovoltaic cells: Enhanced efficiencies via a network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions

Journal Article · Fri Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.270.5243.1789· OSTI ID:181915

Yu, G; Gao, J; Hummelen, J C ^[1]

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1. and others

The carrier collection efficiency ({eta}{sub c}) and energy conversion efficiency ({eta}{sub e}) of polymer photovoltaic cells were improved by blending of the semiconducting polymer with C{sub 60} or its functionalized derivatives. Composite films of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2{prime}-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) and fullerenes exhibit {eta}{sub c} of about 29 percent of electrons per photon and {eta}{sub e} of about 2.9 percent, efficiencies that are better by more than two orders of magnitude than those that have been achieved with devices made with pure MEH-PPV. The efficient charge separation results from photoinduced electron transfer from the MEH-PPV (as donor) to C{sub 60} (as acceptor); the high collection efficiency results from a bicontinuous network of internal donor-acceptor heterojunctions. 17 refs., 3 figs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 181915
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5243 Vol. 270; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONVERSION
EVALUATION
FULLERENES
HETEROJUNCTIONS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS