Abstract
In this work, a method to assemble nanoscale hybrid solar cells in the form of a brush of radially oriented CdS nanowire crystals around a single carbon fiber is demonstrated for the first time. A solar cell was assembled on a carbon fiber with a diameter of ~5–10 μm which served as a core electrode; inorganic CdS nanowire crystals and organic dye or polymer layers were successively deposited on the carbon fiber as active components resulting in a core-shell photovoltaic structure. Polymer, dye-sensitized, and inverted solar cells have been prepared and compared with their analogues made on the flat indium-tin oxide electrode.
Highlights
Hybrid organic-inorganic solar cells based on organic molecules and inorganic semiconductor crystals, which serve as electron donor and electron acceptor, respectively, attract great attention due to the mutual advantages of the both materials used in the same device [1]
We suggest that the improved PV performance of the coreshell Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (SSDSSC) is just due to the increased CdS-dye interface area because of the hyper-branched morphology which is more prominent when it grows up in the radial direction than on the flat surface and because insulating dye layer better prevents shortcutting problem in SSDSSC in contrast to the polymer-containing cells which will be discussed later
We have showed that a single CF can serve as an aligned core electrode for the growth of CdS NW array followed by deposition of organic donor layer (ZnPc-4R, P3HT or P3HT:phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)) resulting in active bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layers in new micron-sized core-shell PV structures
Summary
Hybrid organic-inorganic solar cells based on organic molecules and inorganic semiconductor crystals, which serve as electron donor and electron acceptor, respectively, attract great attention due to the mutual advantages of the both materials used in the same device [1]. One of the key factors influencing the effective work of the hybrid photovoltaic devices is the interface area between the counterparts. The design of interface geometry is of crucial importance for charge carrier generation and collection. Application of semiconductor NW arrays in solar cells leads to better light absorption due to the reduced reflection and stronger light trapping (so-called shadow effect) and improvement of charge collection from the active layer, since charge carriers move straight to the respective electrode through a NW crystal [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
