Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2005

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Applied Physics

Volume

98

Issue

9

DOI of Original Publication

10.1063/1.2130517

Comments

Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2130517

Date of Submission

October 2015

Abstract

We have studied the characteristics of composites of an environmentally friendly water-soluble polythiophene sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS) and TiO2. We observed that the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of low molecular weight PTEBS is redshifted possibly due to the formation of aggregates. Cyclic voltammetry reveals the values of highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals for PTEBS. A factor of 7 in photoluminescence quenching indicates that the exciton dissociation and charge separation occur successfully at the PTEBS: TiO2 (1:1 by weight) interface. This enhances the possibility that the separated charges will reach the electrodes before recombining. Scanning electron micrograph images show how the PTEBS and TiO2 are interconnected and form paths to the electrodes to improve charge transport. Photovoltaic devices with TiO2:PTEBS composite achieved an energy conversion efficiency of η=0.015%, a short circuit current of JSC=0.22mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of VOC=0.72V, and a fill factor of FF=0.29 under ∼300mW/cm2 white light illumination.

Rights

Qiao, Q., Su, L., Beck, J., et al. Characteristics of water-soluble polythiophene: TiO2 composite and its application in photovoltaics. Journal of Applied Physics 98, 094906 (2005). Copyright © 2005 AIP Publishing LLC.

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VCU Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications

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