Photovoltaic cells based on donor and acceptor nano-particulate conjugates in conductive polymer blends

Abstract

A photovoltaic cell includes a substrate layer, an anode layer on the substrate layer, an active layer on the anode layer, and a cathode layer on the active layer, wherein the active layer comprises a plurality of disparately sized n-type and p-type nano-particles of different semiconductor materials randomly distributed in a conductive polymer blend. The n-type nano-particles can include either ZnO or In 2 O 3 nano-particles, and the p-type nano-particles can include either NiO or La 2 O 3 nano-particles. The conductive polymer blend can include P3HT. The bandgaps of the nano-particles have corresponding energies ranging from the near ultraviolet to the far infrared.

1 . A photovoltaic cell comprising:
 a substrate layer;   an anode layer on the substrate layer;   an active layer on the anode layer; and   a cathode layer on the active layer,   wherein the active layer comprises a plurality of disparately sized n-type and p-type nano-particles of different semiconductor materials randomly distributed in a conductive polymer blend.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the n-type nano-particles comprise either ZnO or In 2 O 3  nano-particles. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the p-type nano-particles comprise either NiO or La 2 O 3  nano-particles. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the conductive polymer blend comprises P3HT. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the bandgaps of the nano-particles have corresponding energies ranging from the near ultraviolet to the far infrared. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  comprising a flexible photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the substrate layer comprises a flexible layer. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the anode layer comprises ITO. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  wherein the cathode layer comprises gold or aluminum. 
     
     
         11 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  further comprising an interfacial layer interposed between the active layer and the cathode layer. 
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 11  wherein the interfacial layer comprises a plurality of gold nano-particles in a conductive polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 12  wherein the conductive polymer comprises PEDOT:PSS. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  further comprising an interfacial layer interposed between the active layer and the anode layer. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 14  wherein the interfacial layer comprises a plurality of TiO 2  nano-particles in a conductive polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 15  wherein the conductive polymer comprises PEDOT:PSS. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 1  further comprising gold or silver nano-particles. 
     
     
         18 . A photovoltaic cell comprising:
 a substrate layer;   an anode layer on the substrate layer;   an n-type nano-structured layer on the anode layer;   an active layer on the anode layer; and   a cathode layer on the active layer,   wherein the active layer comprises a plurality of disparately sized p-type nano-particles of different semiconductor materials randomly distributed in a conductive polymer blend.   
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 18  wherein the n-type nano-structured layer comprises nano-imprinted TiO 2  or ZnO putty. 
     
     
         20 . The photovoltaic cell of  claim 18  wherein the n-type nano-structured layer further comprises a gold or silver layer. 
     
     
         21 . A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising:
 providing a substrate layer;   forming an anode layer on the substrate layer;   forming an active layer on the anode layer; and   forming a cathode layer on the active layer,   wherein the active layer comprises a plurality of disparately sized n-type and p-type nano-particles of different semiconductor materials randomly distributed in a conductive polymer blend.   
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell comprising:
 providing a substrate layer;   providing an anode layer on the substrate layer;   providing an n-type nano-structured layer on the anode layer;   providing an active layer on the anode layer; and   providing a cathode layer on the active layer,   wherein the active layer comprises a plurality of disparately sized p-type nano-particles of different semiconductor materials randomly distributed in a conductive polymer blend.