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Solution‐Processed Mesoscopic Bi 2 S 3 :Polymer Photoactive Layers
Author(s) -
MacLachlan Andrew J.,
O'Mahony Flannan T. F.,
Sudlow Anna L.,
Hill Michael S.,
Molloy Kieran C.,
Nelson Jenny,
Haque Saif A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201301103
Subject(s) - materials science , thin film , scanning electron microscope , crystallinity , mesoporous material , chemical engineering , annealing (glass) , bismuth , nanoporous , optoelectronics , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , composite material , catalysis , metallurgy
The fabrication of solution‐processed nontoxic mesoporous Bi 2 S 3 structures is demonstrated and the suitability of these structures for use in hybrid solar cells investigated. Mesoporous Bi 2 S 3 electrodes are prepared via thermal decomposition of a thin film composed of a bismuth xanthate single source precursor. The resultant Bi 2 S 3 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 Bi 2 S 3 is found to be dependent on the annealing temperature, as determined by X‐ray diffraction. The porous Bi 2 S 3 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 Bi 2 S 3 /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.