Hybrid conjugated polymer solar cells using patterned GaAs nanopillars

Abstract

In this work, we study hybrid solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene)-coated GaAs nanopillars grown on a patterned GaAs substrate using selective-area metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The hybrid solar cells show extremely low leakage currents (I≅45 nA @−1V) under dark conditions and an open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, and fill factor of 0.2 V, 8.7 mA/cm2, and 32%, respectively, giving a power conversion efficiency of η=0.6% under AM 1.5 G illumination. Surface passivation of the GaAs results in further improvement, yielding η=1.44% under AM 1.5 G illumination. External quantum efficiency measurements of these polymer/inorganic solar cells are also presented.