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Journal of Applied Physics / Volume 93 / Issue 3 / NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND DESIGN

J. Appl. Phys. 93, 1764 (2003); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1535231 (5 pages)

High open-circuit voltage photovoltaic devices from carbon-nanotube-polymer composites

E. Kymakis, I. Alexandrou, and G. A. J. Amaratunga

Engineering Department, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom

(Received 9 August 2002; accepted 12 November 2002)

Organic photovoltaic devices based on the bulk heterojunction concept, containing a blend of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and soluble polythiophenes (P3OT) were studied. The open circuit voltage Voc of the devices was found to be 0.75 V, which is larger than the theoretical limit calculated by the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) model. In order to investigate the origin of this unusually high Voc, we have prepared P3OT–SWNT based devices with different metal negative electrodes. The Voc measured is only very weakly dependent on the work function of the metal, suggesting that the MIM model does not apply in this case. From the analysis of the current–voltage characteristics and electron microscopy imaging of the composite structure, it is proposed that the photovoltaic response of these devices is based on the introduction of internal polymer/nanotube junctions within the polymer matrix, which due to a photoinduced electron transfer from the polymer to the nanotube contribute to enhanced charge separation and collection. The data suggest that the negligible influence of the negative electrode work function on Voc can be explained by the metal negative electrode forming ohmic contacts to the nanotube percolation paths. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.

© 2003 American Institute of Physics

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KEYWORDS and PACS

Keywords

nanotube devices, carbon nanotubes, filled polymers, work function, photovoltaic cells, polymer blends, electron microscopy, photovoltaic effects, charge transfer states

PACS

ARTICLE DATA

Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1535231

PUBLICATION DATA

ISSN

0021-8979 (print)  
1089-7550 (online)

Publisher

$abstract.society.value is a Member of CrossRef American Institute of Physics

For access to fully linked references, you need to log in.
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