Robust optical and electrical properties of $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$-sensitized polymeric $$(\hbox {PANI}$$–$$\hbox {TiO}_{2})$$ nanocomposites for hybrid solar cell application

Abstract

A polyaniline (PANI)-based $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ -sensitized polymeric active layer was synthesized via an in situ polymerization technique in the presence of ammonium persulphate (APS as the oxidizer) for its use in hybrid solar cell application. $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ -sensitized tubular PANI nanocomposites with an average diameter of $$\sim $$ 50 nm proved to be very efficient for optimizing the optical band gap so as to absorb the maximum solar spectrum. The synergistic combination of $$\hbox {PANI}$$ – $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ (4%) featured the maximum current for varying concentrations of $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ towards current–voltage (I–V) and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Further, the thermal stability was markedly enhanced by incorporating $$\hbox {TiO}_{2}$$ nanoparticles into the polymer matrix as compared to pure PANI.