Nano Express
Template method for fabricating interdigitate p-n heterojunction for organic solar cell
Author affiliations
1 International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-0044, Japan
2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, 305-0044, Japan
3 Photovoltaic Materials Unit, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, 305-0047, Japan
Citation and License
Nanoscale Research Letters 2012, 7:469 doi:10.1186/1556-276X-7-469
Published: 21 August 2012Abstract
Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are used to fabricate arrays of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) pillars. This technique makes it possible to control the dimensions of the pillars, namely their diameters, intervals, and heights, on a tens-of-nanometer scale. These features are essential for enhancing carrier processes such as carrier generation, exciton diffusion, and carrier dissociation and transport. An interdigitated p-n junction between P3HT pillars and fullerene (C60) exhibits a photovoltaic effect. Although the device properties are still preliminary, the experimental results indicate that an AAO template is an effective tool with which to develop organic solar cells because highly regulated nanostructures can be produced on large areas exceeding 100 mm2.
