Development of nanodoped conducting polymers for solar cells.

Development of nanodoped conducting polymers for solar cells.

Different organic semiconducting polymer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS); poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) or, more recently, Poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) exhibit high transparency and relatively high hole mobility, making it an attractive hole-transport material in optoelectronic applications such as organic light emitting diodes and perovskite photovoltaic devices. Notably, PTAA was used as the hole transport layer in the world-record, 22.1% efficiency perovskite solar cell. Its principal advantages compared to other traditional semiconducting polymers are its stability in air, resistance to degradation by exposure to UV light or moisture, and ability to be annealed at low temperatures, making it amenable to high-throughput roll-to-roll processing. A recent collaboration between URJC and Stanford University (Fulbright award of S. G. Prolongo) has confirmed that the addition graphene nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes into PTAA prominently enhances its electrical conductivity and fracture energy, remaining high transparency [Thin Solid Film 646, 2018, 61-66].

The research proposal consists on the optimization of the addition of graphitic nanofillers, modifying their geometry and functionalization and the added percentage, into PTAA.
The particular interest is the introduction of functionalized graphitic nanoparticles in order to contribute with new functionalities, such as super-hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, higher mechanical properties, among others.

Once the nanodoped polymer is optimized, it is necessary to develop the manufacturing process of layered devices for flexible solar panels. The composite thin film will be used as both, counterelectrode or hole transport layer in solar cells. These devices will be characterized to determine their energy conversion efficiency and fill factor.