Polypyrrole/titania hybrids: synthetic variation and test for the photovoltaic materials

Various polypyrrole/titania hybrids were prepared using different synthetic methods including sol-gel processes. Their structures, morphology, and electrochemical behavior were examined in terms of their potential applications to organic solar cells. Four methods were used to prepare the hybrids. The photovoltaic cells, which were fabricated by sandwiching the hybrids between ITO and a low work-function metal, were examined for their current-voltage characteristics as well as their power conversion efficiency. The photoelectric conversion efficiencies were observed to increase in proportion to the polypyrrole content of the hybrids and the interfacial area between the electron donor and acceptor bulk heterojunction. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.