Effect of crystalline microstructure on the photophysical performance of polymer/perylene composite films

To obtain high carrier mobility, better charge injection capability, and high photovoltaic device conversion efficiency, a powerful strategy is to improve the morphology of the polymer/dye composite films. Conjugated conducting polymer (OP) thin films doped with perylene derivative (PV) of various concentrations were prepared by spin-casting method, and their morphology and photovoltaic characteristics were examined. The change in morphology and molecular reorientation occurring in CP-PV composite films upon annealing at different temperatures was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and UV-vis absorption. By changing the annealing temperature, PV microcrystallines of 8-10μm in size lying parallel to the substrate surface can be obtained. Annealing effect improved the photovoltaic performance of ITO/CP-PV/A1 Schottky-type solar cells, which can be attributed to the formation of an electron conducting PV crystal network. Preliminary studies indicate that the morphological structure in CP-PV composite films has an important influence to their photovoltaic properties.