Photovoltaic cells based on ionically self-assembled nanostructures

We use the technique of ionically self-assembled monolayers (ISAMs) to produce photovoltaic devices of well-controlled thickness and composition. The ISAM nanostructure fabrication method simply involves the alternate dipping of a charged substrate into aqueous cationic and anionic solutions at room temperature. We have employed several approaches to combine the tetrahydrothiophenium precursor of poly(para-phenylene-vinylene) (PPV) with fullerenes and other organic materials. We apply modulation spectroscopy for the electrooptical characterization of the ISAM-devices. The modulation frequency dependence of the photocurrent can be assigned to the influence of trapped charges taking Dart in the photovoltaic process. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.