Efficient light harvesting polymers for nanocrystalline TiO2 photovoltaic cells

Carboxylated polythiophenes were found to be alternative photo sensitizers for nanocrystalline TiO2 photovoltaic (PV) cells. The overall solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency found was similar to1.5% in these regenerative electrochemical photovoltaic cells without any dye sensitizer. These initial and promising results are believed to be due to the presence of the carboxylic group which provides enhanced adsorption and transport of the photoinduced charge. Further optimization is expected to result in even higher PV performance.