Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells

S. Chakraborty; N.B. Manik

doi:10.1088/1674-4926/35/12/124004

J. Semicond. > 2014, Volume 35 > Issue 12 > 124004

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells

S. Chakraborty and N.B. Manik

+ Author Affiliations

Corresponding author: N. B. Manik, Email:nb_manik@yahoo.co.in

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/35/12/124004

Abstract: We report the effect of COOH-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-SWCNT) on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green (MG) dye based photovoltaic cells. Two different types of photovoltaic cells were prepared, one with MG dye and another by incorporating COOH-SWCNT with this dye. Cells were characterized through different electrical and photovoltaic measurements including photocurrent measurements with pulsed radiation. From the dark current-voltage (I-V) characteristic results, we observed a certain transition voltage (V_th) for both the cells beyond which the conduction mechanism of the cells change sharply. For the MG dye, V_th is 3.9 V whereas for COOH-SWCNT mixed with this dye, V_th drops to 2.7 V. The device performance improves due to the incorporation of COOH-SWCNT. The open circuit voltage (V_oc) and short circuit current density change from 4.2 to 97 mV and from 108 to 965 μA/cm² respectively. Observations from photocurrent measurements show that the rate of growth and decay of the photocurrent are quite faster in the presence of COOH-SWCNT. This observation indicates a faster charge separation processes due to the incorporation of COOH-SWCNT in the MG dye cells. The high aspect ratio of COOH-SWCNT allows efficient conduction pathways for the generated charge carriers.

Key words: MG dye, COOH-SWCNT, photovoltaic devices, charge transport

References

[1]	Hoppe H, Sariciftci N S. Organic solar cells:an overview. J Mater Res, 2004, 19(7):1924 doi: 10.1557/JMR.2004.0252
[2]	Saha S, Manik N B. Study of solvent dependence of Methyl Red and C60 based organic photovoltaic devices. Thin Solid Films, 2012, 520:6274 doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2012.05.081
[3]	Hoope H, Niggemann M, Winder C, et al. Nanoscale morphology of conjugated polymer/fullerene-based bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Adv Funct Mater, 2004, 14(10):1005 doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1616-3028
[4]	Maity S, Halder A, Manik N B. Effect of plasticizer on safranine-T-dye-based solid-state photo electrochemical cell. Ionics, 2008, 14:549 doi: 10.1007/s11581-008-0217-0
[5]	Kawano K, Sakai J, Yahiro M, et al. Effect of solvent on fabrication of active layers in organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and fullerene derivatives. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 2009, 93(4):514 doi: 10.1016/j.solmat.2008.11.003
[6]	Shaheen S E, Brabec C J, Sariciftci N S. 2.5% efficient organic plastic solar cells. Appl Phys Lett, 2001, 78(6):841 doi: 10.1063/1.1345834
[7]	Yuan Yujie, Hou Guofu, Zhang Jianjun, et al. Optimization of n/i and i/p buffer layers in n-i-p hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon solar cells. Journal of Semiconductors, 2009, 30(3):0340071 http://www.jos.ac.cn/bdtxbcn/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=08062501&flag=1
[8]	Saha S, Manik N B. Enhancement of efficiency of phenosafranin based organic photovoltaic devices using nano particles. Indian J Phys, 2012, 86(7):605 doi: 10.1007/s12648-012-0090-6
[9]	Lee D, Bae K W, Park I, et al. Transparent electrode with ZnO nanoparticles in tandem organic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2011, 95:365
[10]	Li Ying, Feng Shiwei, Yang Ji, et al. Photoresponse of ZnO single crystal film. Chinese Journal of Semiconductors, 2006, 27(6):96
[11]	Wang S H, Hsiao Y J, Fang T H, et al. Enhancing performance and nanomecahnical properties of carbon nanotube doped P3HT:PCBM solar cells. ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 2013, 2(11):M52 doi: 10.1149/2.038311jss
[12]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga G A J. Single-wall carbon nanotubes/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80:112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416
[13]	Nismy N A, Jayawardena K D G I, Damitha A A, et al. Photoluminescence quenching in carbon nanotube-polymer/fullerene films:carbon nanotubes as exciton dissociation centres in organic photovoltaics. Adv Mater, 2011, 23(33):3796
[14]	Huang S M, Woodson M, Smalley R, et al. Growth mechanism of oriented long single walled carbon nanotubes using "fast-heating" chemical vapor deposition process. Nano Lett, 2004, 4(6):1025 doi: 10.1021/nl049691d
[15]	Daniel T D, Benjamin F S, James Q S, et al. Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2010, 94:1665
[16]	Savita S P, Prakash S R, Umeno M. Characterization of doped and undoped CVD-diamond films by cathodoluminescence. Diamond & Related Materials, 2008, 17:585
[17]	Zhu H W, Wei J Q, Wang K L, et al. Applications of carbon nanotubes in photovoltaic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2009, 93:1461
[18]	Yong K H, Lars M M, Alexander Z A, et al. Semi-transparent small molecule organic solar cells with laminated free-standing carbon nanotube top electrodes. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2012, 96:244
[19]	Ajanta H, Subhasis M, Manik N B. Effect of back electrode on photovoltaic properties of crystal-violet-dye-doped solid-state thin film. Ionics, 2008:427
[20]	Adina R, Alexendra O, Mihaela P, et al. Influence of surfactants on the fading of malachite green. Cent Eur J Chem, 2008, 6(1):89
[21]	Mathew M W, Simina P N, Joseph S G. Measurement of functionalized carbon nanotube carboxylic acid groups using a simple chemical process. Carbon, 2006, 44:1137 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2005.11.010
[22]	Yang J, Shen J. Effects of discrete trap levels on organic light emitting diodes. J Appl Phys, 1999, 85(5):2699 doi: 10.1063/1.369587
[23]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga J A G. Single-wall carbon nanotube/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80(1):112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416

Fig. 1. Structure of (a) MG dye (MG refers to the chloride salt [C$_{6}$H$_{5}$C(C$_{6}$H$_{4}$N(CH$_{3})$

$_{2})$

$_{2}$]Cl. The intense green colour results from the strong absorption band of the cation. The chloride and oxalate anions have no effect on the colour.) and (b) COOH-SWCNT with OD in the range of 1-2 nm.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 2. Structure of dichloromethane (DCM). DCM is a colourless liquid and is also known as methyl chloride. It has a Lewis structure.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of an organic photovoltaic cell. ITO coated glass is used as the front electrode and a thin layer of aluminum (Al) coated on a Mylar sheet is used as the back electrode. The active layer containing the dye solution is sandwiched between the two electrodes.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 4. Experimental set-up for photovoltaic measurement. Light is incident on the ITO coated glass. Two leads are connected from the two electrodes across the load resistance which completes the circuit.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 5. Absorption spectra of (a) MG dye, COOH-SWCNT mixed with MG dye and (b) COOH-SWCNT in DCM solvent. MG dye has a peak at 621 nm while COOH-SWCNT has no significant peak in this range but at 359 nm, a peak like signature slightly appears.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 6. Dark $I$-$V$ characteristics of (a) Cell-1 and (b) Cell-2.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 7. ln $I$-ln $V$ characteristics of (a) Cell-1 and (b) Cell-2.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 8. Light $I$-$V$ curves for (a) Cell-1 and (b) Cell-2. The curves are obtained by varying the load resistance. The open circuit voltage ($V_{\rm oc})$, short circuit current density ($J_{\rm sc})$ and calculated value of FF of Cell-2 are higher than that of Cell-1.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 9. Transient photocurrent measurements of (a) Cell-1 and (b) Cell-2. Two successive light pulses of 100 s were applied. For Cell-1, the peak of the maxima for the second cycle reduces, whereas the maxima for both the pulses are almost same for Cell-2. The rise and fall patterns of the two curves are also different.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 10. The growth and decay cycle for a single pulse of 100 s is redrawn for (a) Cell-1 and (b) Cell-2.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Table 1. Extracted values from log$J$ versus log$V$ curves of Figs. 7(a) and 7(b).

Table 2. Extraction of different photovoltaic parameters of the cells.

[1]	Hoppe H, Sariciftci N S. Organic solar cells:an overview. J Mater Res, 2004, 19(7):1924 doi: 10.1557/JMR.2004.0252
[2]	Saha S, Manik N B. Study of solvent dependence of Methyl Red and C60 based organic photovoltaic devices. Thin Solid Films, 2012, 520:6274 doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2012.05.081
[3]	Hoope H, Niggemann M, Winder C, et al. Nanoscale morphology of conjugated polymer/fullerene-based bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Adv Funct Mater, 2004, 14(10):1005 doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1616-3028
[4]	Maity S, Halder A, Manik N B. Effect of plasticizer on safranine-T-dye-based solid-state photo electrochemical cell. Ionics, 2008, 14:549 doi: 10.1007/s11581-008-0217-0
[5]	Kawano K, Sakai J, Yahiro M, et al. Effect of solvent on fabrication of active layers in organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and fullerene derivatives. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 2009, 93(4):514 doi: 10.1016/j.solmat.2008.11.003
[6]	Shaheen S E, Brabec C J, Sariciftci N S. 2.5% efficient organic plastic solar cells. Appl Phys Lett, 2001, 78(6):841 doi: 10.1063/1.1345834
[7]	Yuan Yujie, Hou Guofu, Zhang Jianjun, et al. Optimization of n/i and i/p buffer layers in n-i-p hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon solar cells. Journal of Semiconductors, 2009, 30(3):0340071 http://www.jos.ac.cn/bdtxbcn/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=08062501&flag=1
[8]	Saha S, Manik N B. Enhancement of efficiency of phenosafranin based organic photovoltaic devices using nano particles. Indian J Phys, 2012, 86(7):605 doi: 10.1007/s12648-012-0090-6
[9]	Lee D, Bae K W, Park I, et al. Transparent electrode with ZnO nanoparticles in tandem organic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2011, 95:365
[10]	Li Ying, Feng Shiwei, Yang Ji, et al. Photoresponse of ZnO single crystal film. Chinese Journal of Semiconductors, 2006, 27(6):96
[11]	Wang S H, Hsiao Y J, Fang T H, et al. Enhancing performance and nanomecahnical properties of carbon nanotube doped P3HT:PCBM solar cells. ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 2013, 2(11):M52 doi: 10.1149/2.038311jss
[12]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga G A J. Single-wall carbon nanotubes/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80:112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416
[13]	Nismy N A, Jayawardena K D G I, Damitha A A, et al. Photoluminescence quenching in carbon nanotube-polymer/fullerene films:carbon nanotubes as exciton dissociation centres in organic photovoltaics. Adv Mater, 2011, 23(33):3796
[14]	Huang S M, Woodson M, Smalley R, et al. Growth mechanism of oriented long single walled carbon nanotubes using "fast-heating" chemical vapor deposition process. Nano Lett, 2004, 4(6):1025 doi: 10.1021/nl049691d
[15]	Daniel T D, Benjamin F S, James Q S, et al. Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2010, 94:1665
[16]	Savita S P, Prakash S R, Umeno M. Characterization of doped and undoped CVD-diamond films by cathodoluminescence. Diamond & Related Materials, 2008, 17:585
[17]	Zhu H W, Wei J Q, Wang K L, et al. Applications of carbon nanotubes in photovoltaic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2009, 93:1461
[18]	Yong K H, Lars M M, Alexander Z A, et al. Semi-transparent small molecule organic solar cells with laminated free-standing carbon nanotube top electrodes. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2012, 96:244
[19]	Ajanta H, Subhasis M, Manik N B. Effect of back electrode on photovoltaic properties of crystal-violet-dye-doped solid-state thin film. Ionics, 2008:427
[20]	Adina R, Alexendra O, Mihaela P, et al. Influence of surfactants on the fading of malachite green. Cent Eur J Chem, 2008, 6(1):89
[21]	Mathew M W, Simina P N, Joseph S G. Measurement of functionalized carbon nanotube carboxylic acid groups using a simple chemical process. Carbon, 2006, 44:1137 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2005.11.010
[22]	Yang J, Shen J. Effects of discrete trap levels on organic light emitting diodes. J Appl Phys, 1999, 85(5):2699 doi: 10.1063/1.369587
[23]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga J A G. Single-wall carbon nanotube/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80(1):112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416

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Received: 31 May 2014 Revised: 02 August 2014 Online: Published: 01 December 2014

Article Navigation > Journal of Semiconductors > 2014 > 35(12): 124004

S. Chakraborty, N.B. Manik. Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2014, 35(12): 124004. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/35/12/124004 ****S. Chakraborty, N.B. Manik. Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells[J]. J. Semicond., 2014, 35(12): 124004. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/35/12/124004.

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Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/35/12/124004

Condensed Matter Physics Research Center, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India

More Information

Corresponding author: N. B. Manik, Email:nb_manik@yahoo.co.in
Received Date: 2014-05-31
Revised Date: 2014-08-02
Published Date: 2014-12-01

Abstract

Abstract

We report the effect of COOH-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-SWCNT) on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green (MG) dye based photovoltaic cells. Two different types of photovoltaic cells were prepared, one with MG dye and another by incorporating COOH-SWCNT with this dye. Cells were characterized through different electrical and photovoltaic measurements including photocurrent measurements with pulsed radiation. From the dark current-voltage (I-V) characteristic results, we observed a certain transition voltage (V_th) for both the cells beyond which the conduction mechanism of the cells change sharply. For the MG dye, V_th is 3.9 V whereas for COOH-SWCNT mixed with this dye, V_th drops to 2.7 V. The device performance improves due to the incorporation of COOH-SWCNT. The open circuit voltage (V_oc) and short circuit current density change from 4.2 to 97 mV and from 108 to 965 μA/cm² respectively. Observations from photocurrent measurements show that the rate of growth and decay of the photocurrent are quite faster in the presence of COOH-SWCNT. This observation indicates a faster charge separation processes due to the incorporation of COOH-SWCNT in the MG dye cells. The high aspect ratio of COOH-SWCNT allows efficient conduction pathways for the generated charge carriers.
- MG dye,
- COOH-SWCNT,
- photovoltaic devices,
- charge transport

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References(23)

References

[1]	Hoppe H, Sariciftci N S. Organic solar cells:an overview. J Mater Res, 2004, 19(7):1924 doi: 10.1557/JMR.2004.0252
[2]	Saha S, Manik N B. Study of solvent dependence of Methyl Red and C60 based organic photovoltaic devices. Thin Solid Films, 2012, 520:6274 doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2012.05.081
[3]	Hoope H, Niggemann M, Winder C, et al. Nanoscale morphology of conjugated polymer/fullerene-based bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Adv Funct Mater, 2004, 14(10):1005 doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1616-3028
[4]	Maity S, Halder A, Manik N B. Effect of plasticizer on safranine-T-dye-based solid-state photo electrochemical cell. Ionics, 2008, 14:549 doi: 10.1007/s11581-008-0217-0
[5]	Kawano K, Sakai J, Yahiro M, et al. Effect of solvent on fabrication of active layers in organic solar cells based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) and fullerene derivatives. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 2009, 93(4):514 doi: 10.1016/j.solmat.2008.11.003
[6]	Shaheen S E, Brabec C J, Sariciftci N S. 2.5% efficient organic plastic solar cells. Appl Phys Lett, 2001, 78(6):841 doi: 10.1063/1.1345834
[7]	Yuan Yujie, Hou Guofu, Zhang Jianjun, et al. Optimization of n/i and i/p buffer layers in n-i-p hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon solar cells. Journal of Semiconductors, 2009, 30(3):0340071 http://www.jos.ac.cn/bdtxbcn/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=08062501&flag=1
[8]	Saha S, Manik N B. Enhancement of efficiency of phenosafranin based organic photovoltaic devices using nano particles. Indian J Phys, 2012, 86(7):605 doi: 10.1007/s12648-012-0090-6
[9]	Lee D, Bae K W, Park I, et al. Transparent electrode with ZnO nanoparticles in tandem organic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2011, 95:365
[10]	Li Ying, Feng Shiwei, Yang Ji, et al. Photoresponse of ZnO single crystal film. Chinese Journal of Semiconductors, 2006, 27(6):96
[11]	Wang S H, Hsiao Y J, Fang T H, et al. Enhancing performance and nanomecahnical properties of carbon nanotube doped P3HT:PCBM solar cells. ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 2013, 2(11):M52 doi: 10.1149/2.038311jss
[12]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga G A J. Single-wall carbon nanotubes/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80:112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416
[13]	Nismy N A, Jayawardena K D G I, Damitha A A, et al. Photoluminescence quenching in carbon nanotube-polymer/fullerene films:carbon nanotubes as exciton dissociation centres in organic photovoltaics. Adv Mater, 2011, 23(33):3796
[14]	Huang S M, Woodson M, Smalley R, et al. Growth mechanism of oriented long single walled carbon nanotubes using "fast-heating" chemical vapor deposition process. Nano Lett, 2004, 4(6):1025 doi: 10.1021/nl049691d
[15]	Daniel T D, Benjamin F S, James Q S, et al. Single walled carbon nanotube network electrodes for dye solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2010, 94:1665
[16]	Savita S P, Prakash S R, Umeno M. Characterization of doped and undoped CVD-diamond films by cathodoluminescence. Diamond & Related Materials, 2008, 17:585
[17]	Zhu H W, Wei J Q, Wang K L, et al. Applications of carbon nanotubes in photovoltaic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2009, 93:1461
[18]	Yong K H, Lars M M, Alexander Z A, et al. Semi-transparent small molecule organic solar cells with laminated free-standing carbon nanotube top electrodes. Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 2012, 96:244
[19]	Ajanta H, Subhasis M, Manik N B. Effect of back electrode on photovoltaic properties of crystal-violet-dye-doped solid-state thin film. Ionics, 2008:427
[20]	Adina R, Alexendra O, Mihaela P, et al. Influence of surfactants on the fading of malachite green. Cent Eur J Chem, 2008, 6(1):89
[21]	Mathew M W, Simina P N, Joseph S G. Measurement of functionalized carbon nanotube carboxylic acid groups using a simple chemical process. Carbon, 2006, 44:1137 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2005.11.010
[22]	Yang J, Shen J. Effects of discrete trap levels on organic light emitting diodes. J Appl Phys, 1999, 85(5):2699 doi: 10.1063/1.369587
[23]	Kymakis E, Amaratunga J A G. Single-wall carbon nanotube/conjugated polymer photovoltaic devices. Appl Phys Lett, 2002, 80(1):112 doi: 10.1063/1.1428416

Effect of COOH-functionalized SWCNT addition on the electrical and photovoltaic characteristics of Malachite Green dye based photovoltaic cells

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