Photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion based on blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl) propyl-1-phenyl [6,6]C61 (PCBM)

Abstract

A solid-state photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion device based on blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl[6,6]C₆₁ (PCBM), and an amorphous poly(ethylene oxide) complexed with I₃^-/I^- redox couple has been constructed and characterized. The photoelectrochemical performance parameters of the device were compared with pure P3HT and P3HT:C₆₀ blend solid-state photoelectrochemical cell. The current density-voltage characteristics in the dark and under white light illumination and photocurrent spectra for front and backside illuminations have been studied. An open-circuit voltage of 140 mV and a short-circuit current density of 28.4 μA/cm² at light intensity of 100 mW/cm²; IPCE% of 1.52% for front side illumination (ITO|PEDOT) and IPCE% of 0.17% for backside illumination (ITO|P3HT:PCBM) at a wavelength of 510 nm were obtained. The dependence of the short-circuit current density and an open-circuit voltage on the light intensity and time have also been studied.

KEY WORDS: Poly(3-hexylthiophene), PCBM, Amorphous poly(ethylene oxide), I₃^-/I^- redox couple, Solid-state photoelectrochemical cell

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2012, 26(2), 287-298.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v26i2.12