Template role of polyhexylthiophene nanowires on efficient bilayer photovoltaic cells

Nanowires of the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were produced by solution self-assembly and incorporated into bilayer photovoltaic devices with PCBM as the electron-acceptor material. Atomic Force Microscopy enabled a full assessment of the self-assembled P3HT fibrils network. It also revealed the effect the pre-existing nanowires have on the evaporated PCBM overlayer, strongly suggesting a master role. The power conversion efficiency of the bilayer with P3HT nanowires dramatically increases, when compared to the non-structured bilayer photovoltaic devices of P3HT. Photovoltaic devices characterization ensured a comparative overview of the performance parameters for both structured and non-structured P3HT:PCBM bilayers and blend devices. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.