Solution‐Processed Mesoscopic Bi2S3:Polymer Photoactive Layers. Issue 6 (5th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacLachlan, Andrew J.; O'Mahony, Flannan T. F.; Sudlow, Anna L.; Hill, Michael S.; Molloy, Kieran C.; Nelson, Jenny; Haque, Saif A.
• Is Part Of: Chemphyschem. Volume 15:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 1019
• Page End: 1023
• Publication Date: 2014-03-05
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201301103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4235

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The fabrication of solution‐processed nontoxic mesoporous Bi₂S₃ structures is demonstrated and the suitability of these structures for use in hybrid solar cells investigated. Mesoporous Bi₂S₃ electrodes are prepared via thermal decomposition of a thin film composed of a bismuth xanthate single source precursor. The resultant Bi₂S₃ films are made up of regular needles with approximate dimensions of 50×500 nm, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystallinity of the Bi₂S₃ is found to be dependent on the annealing temperature, as determined by X‐ray diffraction. The porous Bi₂S₃ films are infiltrated with the hole conductor P3HT to generate novel hybrid films, and laser‐based transient absorption spectroscopy is used to interrogate the charge‐separation reaction at the resulting Bi₂S₃/P3HT heterojunction. Specifically, optical excitation of the hybrid films results in efficient and long‐lived charge separation (microsecond to millisecond timescale), thereby rendering such films suitable for the development of novel low‐cost solar‐energy conversion devices.</p> </abstract>