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Photovoltaic Devices Based on Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Zhongrui Li ,
Viney Saini ,
Shawn Edward Bourdo ,
Liqiu Zheng ,
Enkeleda Dervishi  and
Alexandru S. Biris
Zhongrui Li
Affiliation:
zxli3@ualr.edu, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, nanotechnology Center, 2801 S. University Ave, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, United States
Viney Saini
Affiliation:
vxsaini@ualr.edu, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, UALR Nanotechnology Center, 2801 S. Univ. Ave., ETAS-151, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, United States
Shawn Edward Bourdo
Affiliation:
sxbourdo@ualr.edu, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Nanotechnology Center, 2801 S University Ave, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, United States, 501-569-8323
Liqiu Zheng
Affiliation:
lxzheng@ualr.edu, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Nanotechnology Center, 2801 S University Ave, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, United States, 501-569-8323
Enkeleda Dervishi
Affiliation:
exdervishi@ualr.edu, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, UALR Nanotechnology Center, 2801 S. university ave, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, United States, 501-569-3203
Alexandru S. Biris
Affiliation:
asbiris@ualr.edu, United States
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Abstract

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are potentially an attractive material for PV applications due to their many unique structural and electrical properties. SWNTs can be directly configured as energy conversion materials to fabricate thin-film solar cells, with nanotubes serving as both photogeneration sites and charge carriers collecting/transport layers. SWNTs can be modified into either p-type conductor through chemical doping (like thionyl chloride, or just exposure to air) or n-type conductor through polymer (like polyethylene imine) functionalization. The solar cells consist of either a semitransparent thin film of p-type nanotubes deposited on an n-type silicon wafer or a semitransparent thin film of n-type SWNT on p-type substrate to create high-density p-n heterojunctions between nanotubes and silicon substrate to favor charge separation and extract electrons and holes. The high aspect ratios and large surface area of nanotubes can be beneficial to exciton dissociation and charge carrier transport thus improving the power conversion efficiency.

Keywords

photovoltaicnanostructureC
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1210: Symposium Q – Photovoltaic Materials and Manufacturing Issues II , 2009 , 1210-Q04-06
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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