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Dyes in Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Solar Cell Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2012

Gerhard Lackner
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Materials Science, Essen, Germany
Ingolf Endler
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer Inst. for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Winterbergstr. 28, Dresden, Germany
Frank Meissner
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer Inst. for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Winterbergstr. 28, Dresden, Germany
Sebastian Scholz
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer Inst. for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Winterbergstr. 28, Dresden, Germany
Tobias Mayer-Uhma
Affiliation:
SiC Processing GmbH, Technikum, Neuteichnitzer Str. 54, Bautzen, Germany
Rocco Liebschner
Affiliation:
Dresden University of Technology, Institute for Materials Science, Dresden, Germany
Viktor Bezugly
Affiliation:
Dresden University of Technology, Institute for Materials Science, Dresden, Germany
Jan Meiss
Affiliation:
Institute for Applied Photophysics, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
Martin Mkandawire
Affiliation:
Dresden University of Technology, Institute for Materials Science, Dresden, Germany
Richard Boucher
Affiliation:
Dresden University of Technology, Institute for Materials Science, Dresden, Germany
Alexander Michaelis
Affiliation:
Fraunhofer Inst. for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Winterbergstr. 28, Dresden, Germany
Doru C. Lupascu
Affiliation:
University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Materials Science, Essen, Germany
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Abstract

The infiltration of dissolved dyes into vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (va-CNT) is reported. The ultra hydrophobic surface of the CNT forest can be wetted and hence infiltrated for an appropriate choice of solvent. The dye-infiltrated CNT array forms a well ordered bulk-heterojunction structure for organic solar cells in which the CNT can act as a large electrode or, for appropriate energy levels, as an acceptor material. Derivatives of the small molecule copper phthalocyanine or the polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) were used as dyes. Drop coating was chosen as the infiltration technique resulting in a completely embedded CNT forest. Field emission secondary electron microscopy analysis illustrates the final layer quality. Common electrical characterization under AM1.5 illumination proves photosensitivity and implies photovoltaic behavior of the composite.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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