Solution Processed Graphene Thin Films and Their Applications in Organic Solar Cells

Abstract

We present a review of the recent progresses in solution processing graphene thin films and highlight some of the uses of graphene and graphene thin films in the construction of organic solar cells. We demonstrate a simple phenomenological model to describe the relationship between sheet conductivity and transmittance in graphene films with good agreement to all of the data found in the literature. We show that graphene thin films have been proven useful in the construction and improvement of organic solar cells not only as a replacement electrode, but also as an active acceptor material, or as a counter electrode when integrated into a conducting polymer matrix.

Graphene Thin Films and Graphene Decorated with Metal Nanoparticles

“…By contrast, thermal characteristics in graphene-based materials require a more complex interpretation due to important effects from lattice vibrations [7]. The thermal and electrical conductivity of graphene-based thin films strongly depend on the average number of graphene layers forming the platelets, their lateral size, and density of the flakes including voids between neighboring domains [8,9]. Electrical conductivity of graphene-based films is greatly affected by both the preparation method and the post-treatments.…”

Self-assembled metallic nanoparticle superlattices on large-area graphene thin films: growth and evanescent waveguiding properties

“…First, during each 3D-SNOM measurement, a contact-mode AFM-SNOM scan is performed and the distribution of the intensity of near-eld within the (X, Y) plane is probed in the close proximity of the surface, as shown in Fig. 5b, step (1). This measurement provides an AFM scan of the sample surface in conjunction with the (X, Y) SNOM scan at Z ¼ 0.…”

“…Solution-processed, graphene-based thin lms formed by assemblies of single-layer and multi-layer graphene platelets may offer unique means to translate engineered graphenebased materials from the realm of fundamental research into practical applications in transparent and exible electronics [1][2][3] in a more cost-effective way than chemical-vapour deposited graphene. 4 Solution-prepared graphene thin lms decorated with random distributions of metallic nanoparticles to enhance their optical and electronic properties have already shown promise in specic applications, 5,6 and new devices would emerge through self-assembling these nano-metallic phases into superlattices.…”

Polymeric Thin Films for Organic Electronics: Properties and Adaptive Structures

“…However, many other promising and innovative nano-materials (e.g., derivatives of carbon nanotubes [124], graphene [125,126] etc .) are potentially of emerging interest.…”

“…Until now, among the most widely studied systems, are those based on P3HT and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3’,7’-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) as D and on the fullerene-derivative 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl-[6,6]-methanofullerene (PCBM) as A components ( Figure 11 ), which have shown among the highest PCE [ 121 , 122 , 123 ]. However, many other promising and innovative nano-materials (e.g., derivatives of carbon nanotubes [ 124 ], graphene [ 125 , 126 ] etc .) are potentially of emerging interest.…”