Charge transfer in photovoltaics consisting of interpenetrating networks of conjugated polymer and TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

We study the effect of blended and layered titanium dioxide $({\mathrm{TiO}}_{\mathrm{2}})$ nanoparticles on charge transfer processes in conjugated polymer photovoltaics. A two order of magnitude increase in photoconductivity and sharp saturation is observed for layered versus blended structures, independent of the cathode work function. Using electrodes with similar work functions, we observe low dark currents and open circuit voltages of 0.7 V when a ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{\mathrm{2}}$ nanoparticle layer is self-assembled onto the indium–tin–oxide electrode. Our results for the layered morphologies are consistent with charge collection by exciton diffusion and dissociation at the ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{\mathrm{2}}$ interface.