In this work, we present a hybrid nanostructured core-shell solar cell based on patterned GaAs nanopillars (NPs) grown by MOCVD and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymer. The growth patterns are lithographically-defined and center-to-center pitch, hole size and mask are arranged with nanometric resolution. Our inherently catalyst-free growth mode eliminates any metal (i.e. Au) diffusion into the NPs that could hinder the electron-hole pair extraction, paramount in photovoltaics.        Hybrid devices are normally obtained by spin-coating conjugated polymers on top of inorganic semiconducting surfaces. These techniques result in non-conformal thin films with scarce controllability. We have developed a novel electro-deposition method for growth of polymers on GaAs semiconducting NPs for photovoltaic applications as a highly controllable alternative to mere spin-coating depositions. Device characterization is carried out in terms of photocurrent density-voltage (J-V) characteristics (under dark and standard AM 1.5 conditions) and external quantum efficiency (EQE), both standard figures of merit in the photovoltaic field.

Hybrid photovoltaics based on  electrochemical polymerization of PEDOT on patterned, catalyst free nanopillars

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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