Web Release Date: November 20,
Polymer Solar Cells Using Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Thiophene Pedant Groups
via Nogueira,*
Laboratório de Nanotecnologia e Energia Solar, LNES, Instituto de Química, UNICAMP, C. Postal 6154, 13084-971, Campinas SP, Brazil
Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, C. P. 26077, 05513-970, São Paulo SP, Brazil
Laboratório de Química de Nanoestruturas, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, CDTN/CNEN, C. P. 941, 31123-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paran, UFPR, C. P. 19044, 81531-990, Curitiba PR,
Brazil
Received: June 26, 2007
In Final Form: August 21, 2007
Abstract:
Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have attracted great interest for applications in a variety of research
areas, including electronics and functional materials. However, a good dispersion of these materials in polymer
matrices is a demanding factor in order to obtain more homogeneous and less bundled films for constructing
optoelectronic and electrochemical devices. In this report we describe a covalent modification with thiophene
groups located at the edges and at defects in SWCNT to modify the interaction with the polymer matrix
aiming at its application in solar cells. The modified SWCNT and its composites with poly(3-octylthiophene)
were characterized by Raman, infrared, UV-vis, and luminescence spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry.
The best bulk heterojunction solar cell was obtained using 5 wt % of the modified carbon nanotube (SWCNT-THIOP) and shows open circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current (Isc), and efficiency (
) of 0.75 V,
9.5 
A cm-2, 0.184%, respectively.
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