Morphology Effect of Silver Nanostructures on the Performance of a P3HT:Graphene:AgNs-Based Active Layer Obtained via Dip Coating

Abstract EN

We report the effect of the use of different silver nanostructures (AgNs) layers deposited via dip coating onto a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and solution processable functionalized graphene (SPFGraphene) composite film intended to be used as active layer in BHJ devices.

SPFGraphene was added to P3HT in a ratio of 1.5 wt%.

The best results were achieved when a layer of silver nano-pseudospheres (AgNPSs) obtained after 10 immersion cycles was used as coating; in this case the highest light trapping and efficiency percent ( η = 0.23 %) were achieved.

This means an increase of ~11.3% in comparison with the efficiency of the noncoated P3HT:SPFGraphene composite.

Results also indicate that graphene was successfully functionalized in order to obtain appropriate dispersion in P3HT and that such conjugated polymer remained unaltered after the addition of SPFGraphene.

Finally, it can be concluded that the electrical properties of the as-synthesized films are dependent on the shape and concentration of the AgNs deposited via dip coating.