Semiconducting polymer-buckminsterfullerene heterojunctions: Diodes, photodiodes, and photovoltaic cells

The characterization of rectifying heterojunctions (diodes) fabricated from a semiconducting polymer, a soluble derivative of poly(phenylene-vinylene), and buckminsterfullerene, C60, are reported. Rectification ratios in the current versus voltage characteristics exceed 104. When illuminated, the devices exhibit a large photoresponse as a result of photoinduced electron transfer across the heterojunction interface from the semiconducting polymer (donor) onto C60 (acceptor). The photodiode and photovoltaic responses are characterized. Photoinduced electron transfer across the donor-accepted rectifying heterojunction offers potential for photodetector and for solar cell applications.