Carbon nanotubes and organic solar cells

Abstract

The use of carbon nanotubes in photovoltaics is still challenging due to different issues connected to their synthesis, purification, functionalization, processing and device integration. From this perspective at first we review on selected contributions dealing with the above issues; then we focus on the advantages and limitations of carbon nanotubes for the development of organic solar cells

Low temperature synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and incorporation into an organic solar cell

“…The use of carbon nanotubes in OSCs has been recently reviewed [2,8]. In addition, we recently reported on the synthesis of boron and nitrogen doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and the assembly of OSCs using doped nanotubes [16][17][18].…”

“…On the other hand, solar cells fabricated from organic semiconductor materials are likely to be much cheaper since they can be potentially assembled using current polymer processing technologies, and such systems can take advantage of the inherent advantages associated with polymers in terms of construction, design, aesthetic appeal, and flexibility in application [2]. However, to date, solar cells made from organic semiconductor polymers are less efficient than inorganic systems, and are prone to environmental degradations [2,3,8]. In an effort to improve the suitability of semiconductor polymers for device fabrication, small organic or inorganic molecules or a combination of both, with or without incorporation of nanomaterials have been employed [15].…”

“…These include dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC) [9], inorganic and organic solar cells (OSC) [2,3,8,10], and various other hybrid systems [2,3]. Widespread and most commercially successful systems are inorganic solar cells; specifically silicon based, and these can be monocrystalline [11], polycrystalline [12], or amorphous [13].…”

“…In an effort to improve the suitability of semiconductor polymers for device fabrication, small organic or inorganic molecules or a combination of both, with or without incorporation of nanomaterials have been employed [15]. One very promising type of nanomaterial that has been used in OSCs are carbon nanotubes [2,8].…”

“…Considerable and continual efforts to utilise this sustainable energy supply has been a global focus for the last few decades [2][3][4]. This includes development of modified energy storage and conversion devices such as batteries [5], super capacitors [6], light emitting diodes (LEDs) [7], and solar cells [2,3,8].…”