Synthesis and Characterization of NiS/MnS Core-Shell Embedded Conducting Polyaniline Composite for Photovoltaic Application

Conducting polyaniline (Pani) films embedded with Co2+ doped, PVA-capped NiS/MnS core-shell particles as photoluminescent boosters have been developed and reported. The absorption and photoluminescence characteristics of the core-shell Pani have increased significantly. Film of the core-shell-Pani composite is n-type semiconductor with a band gap of 2.34eV. Periodic arrangement of the nanoclusters of the core-shell in the continuous conductive polymer matrix with high carrier density (3.99x1016) rates this material for photoelectrochemical applications. Solid-state photovoltaic cells with NiS/MnS-Pani as the electron conductor shows a Isc of 0.14mA/cm2, Voc of 382mV and photo conversion efficiency of 1.25%.