Polymer functionalized n-type single wall carbon nanotube photovoltaic devices

Abstract

Photovoltaic conversion was achieved from high-density p-n heterojunctions formed between polymer functionalized n-type single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and underlying p-type Si substrate. Functionalization of SWNTs by amine-rich polymers results in the evolution of tubes from p-type to n-type, and the polyethylene imine (PEI) functionalized SWNT film can serve as both photogeneration sites and a charge carrier collecting/transport layer. Photoremoval of oxygen adsorbed on the nanotubes prior to PEI functionalization can increase the conversion efficiency of the polymer functionalized n-type SWNT photovoltaic devices.