Composite polymeric:fullerene photovoltaic film enhances conversion efficiency

Feb. 1, 1996
Organic photovoltaic cells composed of buckminsterfullerene (C60) blended with poly(2-methoxy-5-(2`-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene), or MEH-PPV, show enhanced performance more than two orders of magnitude greater than MEH-PPV alone. Polymer-based photovoltaic cells could be economical to fabricate and easily tailored to specific applications. In the composite MEH-PPV:fullerene devices developed at the University of California, Santa Barbara, subpicosecond electron transfer from MEH-PPV (

Composite polymeric:fullerene photovoltaic film enhances conversion efficiency

Organic photovoltaic cells composed of buckminsterfullerene (C60) blended with poly(2-methoxy-5-(2`-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene), or MEH-PPV, show enhanced performance more than two orders of magnitude greater than MEH-PPV alone. Polymer-based photovoltaic cells could be economical to fabricate and easily tailored to specific applications. In the composite MEH-PPV:fullerene devices developed at the University of California, Santa Barbara, subpicosecond electron transfer from MEH-PPV (donor) to C60 (acceptor) increases the polymer photoconductivity. The structure forms a bicontinuous network of donors and acceptors, making it essentially a bulk heterojunction capable of high collection efficiency.

The group has fabricated several devices consisting of MEH-PPV:C60 composite layered on an indium tin oxide-coated glass or mylar substrate. A thin layer of aluminum or calcium provides the contact, and device sizes range from 1 cm2 to more than 15 cm2. Illumination intensities of 20 mW/cm2 at 430 nm resulted in energy conversion efficiencies of about 2.9%, more than two orders of magnitude higher than undoped MEH-PPV structures. Researchers expect these preliminary efficiency figures to double when device operation is optimized.

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!